We’re now in the last part of the 4-part series comprising the Evangelist’s Case Book. These are materials I compiled for the members of the ESB District of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon.
In the earlier 3 parts, I shared brief ideas about the mindset, the behavior habits, and the initial approaches in opening the doors to evangelize anyone. There are links below in case you want to refer back to the earlier parts.
In this final part, you will see examples of various types of people you will encounter, and some suggestions on how best to approach them.
Here are 9 typical cases that you would most likely encounter among those in your circle. This section includes (a) a short description of their LIFE SITUATION (not for all cases); (b) a few points SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING about where they’re likely coming from; and (c) a few points about what to say to open an evangelical conversation.
Case # 1 — SPIRITUALLY PASSIVE OR NOMINAL BELIEVER
- LIFE SITUATION
- Focused on career, family, or personal success.
- Might be content but spiritually unfulfilled.
- Feels that faith is not essential for daily life.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Believes in God but sees faith as a routine or tradition.
- Attends Mass occasionally or out of obligation but lacks personal connection with Christ.
- Might say, “I believe in God, but I’m not really into all that religious stuff.”
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “Have you ever thought about how faith could be more than just tradition? That it could actually change your life?”
- Share how Christ made faith personal for you.
- Show them that faith is not just a duty but a source of joy, peace, and purpose.
- Share stories of how living faith changes everything—how it’s more than just going through motions.
- Invite them to experience something deeper rather than just checking a box.
Case # 2 — DEVOUT BUT STAGNANT CHRISTIAN
- LIFE SITUATION
- Feels spiritually dry or uninspired.
- Wants a deeper faith but doesn’t know how to get there.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Strong faith but lacks growth or deeper discipleship.
- Might say, “I go to church and pray, but I don’t feel like I’m growing.”
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “What if there’s more to faith than just going through the motions? What if Jesus is calling you to something deeper?”
- Challenge them to actively grow in faith through Scripture, service, or mentoring others.
Case # 3 — THE DISILLUSIONIED OR HURT BY THE CHURCH
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- People who once practiced but left due to disappointment, hypocrisy, or hurtful experiences.
- They may still believe in God but have lost trust in organized religion or feel abandoned by the Church.
- They often carry wounds from past church experiences, unanswered prayers, or moral struggles that made them feel unwelcome.
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- Offer a safe and understanding conversation—acknowledge their struggles instead of dismissing them.
- Show them that Jesus is bigger than human failures and that true faith isn’t about flawed institutions but a personal relationship with Him.
- Extend an invitation to healing and rediscovering faith in a genuine way.
Case # 4 — THE STRUGGLING OR HURTING PERSON
- LIFE SITUATION
- Facing personal loss (death, illness, job loss, broken relationships).
- Feeling anxious, lost, or lacking direction.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Might believe in God but questions Him because of suffering.
- Feels distant or abandoned by God.
- Might say, “If God is good, why am I going through this?”
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “I know life can feel overwhelming, but can I share how faith in Jesus has given me peace even in tough times?”
- Share a testimony of how Christ walked with you through a difficult time.
Case # 5 — THE SEEKER OR OPEN-MINDED NON-BELIEVER
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Those who don’t fully reject Christianity but are also exploring other ideas (New Age, secular spirituality, philosophy, etc.).
- They may believe in a higher power but not necessarily Jesus as Lord.
- Some admire Jesus as a moral teacher but don’t understand why they need Him personally.
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- Appeal to their sense of curiosity—present Christ as the answer to their deeper questions.
- Focus on truth and meaning, showing how Christianity provides a cohesive and life-giving worldview.
- Invite them into an experience, not just an argument—a retreat, a personal testimony, or a moment of prayer.
Case # 6 — THE SEEKER OR OPEN-MINDED THINKER
- LIFE SITUATION
- Searching for meaning, purpose, or deeper truth.
- Often drawn to philosophy, self-improvement, or spirituality.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Curious about faith but not fully committed.
- Open to spirituality but hesitant about organized religion.
- Might say, “I respect all religions, but I don’t think one is more true than another.”
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “Have you ever considered that faith isn’t about religion, but about actually knowing Jesus?”
- Invite them to explore Jesus’ teachings without pressure.
Case # 7 — THE SKEPTIC OR INTELLECTUAL DOUBTER
- LIFE SITUATION
- Prides themselves on logic, science, or reason.
- May have been hurt by religious hypocrisy in the past.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Questions or criticizes Christianity.
- Sees faith as irrational or outdated.
- Might say, “How can you believe in something you can’t prove?”
- Those who struggle with faith due to reason, science, or philosophical objections.
- Some might be former believers who became agnostic/atheist due to intellectual dissatisfaction.
- They might see Christianity as outdated, irrational, or incompatible with modern life.
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “I used to have doubts too, but I found that faith and reason actually go together. Have you ever explored that side of Christianity?”
- Offer thoughtful responses, not just emotional appeals.
- Engage with respect and intellectual honesty—faith and reason are not enemies.
- Share testimonies of great minds who found faith compelling (e.g., C.S. Lewis, St. Augustine, modern Catholic apologists). Encourage them to explore and ask questions rather than dismissing Christianity based on assumptions.
- Encourage them to explore and ask questions rather than dismissing Christianity based on assumptions.
Case # 8 — THE BUSY AND DISTRACTED PROFESSIONAL
- LIFE SITUATION
- Focused on career goals, financial success, or social status.
- Struggles with stress, burnout, or a sense of emptiness.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Believes in God but feels too busy for church or prayer.
- Prioritizes work, status, or material success over faith.
- Might say, “I just don’t have time for religion right now.”
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “What if faith could actually help you find balance and real peace in your busy life?”
- Share how Christ-centered living brings true fulfillment beyond success.
Case # 9 — THE “GOOD PERSON” WHO THINKS THEY DON’T NEED GOD
- LIFE SITUATION
- Generally happy but lacks spiritual depth.
- Has never deeply considered life after death or true purpose.
- SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
- Feels they live a good life without needing religion.
- May believe in God but think salvation is based on good works.
- Might say, “I try to be a good person, so I think I’ll be fine.”
- CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH
- “You’re right, living a good life is important. But have you ever thought about what Jesus actually said about that?”
- Share how knowing Jesus personally goes beyond just “being good.”
That’s it. In case you think of other case situations, please post a comment below, and I’ll dig some more research on how you can strike up an evangelistic conversation with that person.
God bless you, so that you can be a blessing to others.
To view the other parts of this Evangelist’s Code Book, click on the links below:
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