Engaging Spiritual Conversation Starters [Download the Free Guide]

By Susan Freese

Starting a spiritual conversation is easier when you know what to look for.

Look to Jesus—the master communicator. His questions drop deep into a person’s soul to draw out matters of the heart. He uses objects found in life and nature to spark spiritual conversations or teach theological parables.

Yes, creation reflects our Creative God and provides spiritual discussion topics for every culture and continent. We can follow Jesus’s example.

Need some help? How about a list of interesting spiritual questions and discussion topics to use as spiritual conversation starters?

We’ve created an ebook for you to download and share that lists our best and most effective spiritual conversation starters, along with a list of common items to trigger conversation.

Thanks to Mary Ann Wilmer, a friend of All In Ministries who created the objects list as part of the guide, we can train ourselves to use items found in creation to help us get started.

God is the Creator of everything, and you can use everything He created as spiritual conversation starters to point others to Jesus.

Use these examples to start spiritual discussions. You can teach others to think outside the box and demonstrate how they can use a single topic to start a conversation with an eternal mission and perspective.

God may allow you to use a question or a tiny word to point someone in the right direction—straight towards Jesus.

Make sure to download our free printable guide—use it and share it. This free guide also makes a great disciple-making lesson for young children.

Simple spiritual conversation starters to turn your conversations into spiritual discussions:

Ants—Hard Work, Diligence, Persistence

“Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer” (Prov. 30:25 NLT).

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.

Learn from their ways and become wise!” (Prov. 6:6 NLT).

Arrows—Children

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” (Psalm 127:3–5 NLT).

Birds—Trust, Faith, God’s Provision

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They do not plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matt. 6:25–26 NLT).

Bread—God’s Word

“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4 NIV).

Bread—Christ’s Body Broken for Us

“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me’” (1 Cor. 11:23–24 NLT).

Clay—Lives Shaped by God

“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isa. 64:8 NIV).

Clouds—Forgiveness

“I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free” (Isa. 44:22 NLT).

Clouds—Christ’s Return

“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens” (Mark 13:26–27 NIV).

Crown—Victory, Reward

“Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly” (1 Cor. 9:24–26 NIV).

Deer—Agility, Stability in Difficult Places

“He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights” (Ps. 18:33 NLT).

Door—God-given Opportunity

“There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me” (1 Cor. 16:9 NLT).

Eagle—Renewed Strength

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31 NLT)

Fish—Evangelism

“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’” (Matt. 4:19 NLT).

Flowers—Faith, Trust

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” (Matt. 6:28–30 NLT).

Fountain—God, Our Life Source

“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see” (Psalm 36:7–9 NLT).

Fruit—Virtues God Produces in Our Hearts

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23 NLT).

Gate—Jesus, the Way into God’s Forever Family

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures” (John 10:9 NLT).

Grass—Shortness of Life

“The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:7–8 NLT).

Honey—Kind Words

“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Prov. 16:24 NLT).

Honey—Sweetness of God’s Word

“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (Ps. 119:103 NLT).

Keys—Christ’s Authority

“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave” (Rev. 1:18 NLT).

“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Rev. 3:7 NIV).

Keys—Believers’ Authority

“And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven” (Matt. 16:19 NLT).

Lamb—Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice

“John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29 NLT).

Light—God

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 NIV).

Light—God’s Word

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Ps. 119:105 NIV).

Mountain—Righteousness

“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains” (Ps. 36:6 NLT).

Mustard Seed—Faith

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20 NIV).

Mustard Seed—God’s Kingdom

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matt. 13:31–32 NIV).

Pearl—Extremely High Value of God’s Kingdom, Worth Giving up Everything

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matt. 13:45–46 NIV).

Rain—God’s Word

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isa. 55:10–11 NLT).

Rock—God’s Strength

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Ps. 18:2 NLT).

Salt—Disciples of Jesus

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again?” (Matt. 5:13 NLT).

Seeds—Generosity

“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give” (2 Cor. 9:6–7 NLT).

Seeds—God’s Word

See the “Parable of the Sower.” (Matt. 13:1–23)

Sheep—God’s People

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me” (John 10:27–28 NLT).

Shepherd—Jesus, Our Guidance and Protection

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” (John 10:11 NLT).

(See also Psalm 23.)

Shield—God’s Protection

“You, Lord, are a shield around me” (Ps. 3:3 NIV).

Shield—Faith

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Eph. 6:16 NIV).

Snow—Forgiveness, Purity

“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow” (Isa. 1:18 NLT).

Spring—Spiritual Strength and Refreshment

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring” (Isa. 58:11 NLT).

Table—Provision

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Ps. 23:5 NIV).

Table—Fellowship with Christ

“I confer on you a kingdom . . . so that you may eat and drink at my table” (Luke 22:29–30 NIV).

“If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Rev. 3:20 NLT).

Trees—Godly People

“But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong. . . . They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green” (Ps. 92:12–14 NLT).

(See also Psalm 1.)

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isa. 61:3 NIV).

Valley—Times of Difficulty

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4 NIV).

Water—The Holy Spirit, Eternal Life

“Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:14 NLT).

“It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6 NIV).

Weather—Understanding the Times in Light of Scripture

“Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you do not know how to interpret the present times” (Luke 12:54–56 NLT).

Wine—Christ’s Blood

“After supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:25 NIV).

Wings—God’s Protection

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (Ps. 91:4 NIV).

Wings—Renewed Strength

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31 NLT).

Download our free printable Spiritual Conversation Starter Guide here—use it, share it, and equip others with it.

Do you want even more help on how to start spiritual conversations? If so, you can read our article “How can you prepare yourself to start spiritual conversations.” Use four simple steps to equip yourself to start spiritual conversations.

Use whatever is around you to connect others to Jesus—make an effort to have conversations that have an eternal impact. You may be the only person who ever gets the opportunity to share with someone you meet.

Open doors with a one-word spiritual discussion topic, and your life will also change in the process of sharing Jesus.