Conversation Strategies & Evangelism

Conversation Strategies & Evangelism

1) Tactics: A Gameplan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl

  • Read this to learn the skills needed to perform well in conversation.
  • This book provides the most detailed material on conversational apologetics. It’s the best book on the topic so far. It’s a must read if you plan on engaging in tough dialogues on a regular basis.

2) One Less God Than You: How to Answer the Slogans, Cliches, and Fallacies that Atheists Use to Challenge Your Faith by John DeRosa

  • Read this book to learn a strategic response to 20 slogans you’re likely to hear from atheists in conversation.
  • Have you ever heard “There’s no evidence for God,” “the God of the Bible is an evil maniac,” “the Bible supports slavery” or other one-liners? In this book, I’ll walk you through how to respond to 20 common challenges from skeptics/atheists. For each chapter, I show you important questions to ask as well as principles to keep in mind.

3) Speaking the Truth in the Beauty of Love: A Guide to Better Online Discussion (Essay) by Dr. Bryan Cross

  • Read this essay to become a better person and a better ambassador for Christ.
  • Dr. Bryan Cross presents the most important principles required for fruitful conversation. He expounds in detail upon the virtues of dialogue we need to pursue and the vices we need to avoid.

4) What to Say and How to Say It by Brandon Vogt

  • Read this book to learn helpful principles and strategies for tackling 6 big issues related to Catholic apologetics.
  • Brandon Vogt is outstanding when it comes to synthesizing materials and boiling them down to the most important facts you need to know. Each chapter will walk you through an important apologetic topic and share strategies for conversations on that topic. The book covers atheism, trusting the Gospels, same-sex marriage, transgenderism, and more. I interview Brandon about it here.

5) How to Win Friends for Christ: One Conversation at a Time by Fr. Thomas Cavanaugh and Dr. John Love

  • Read this book to learn how to evangelize and spread the central Gospel message to others.
  • Fr. Cavanaugh and Dr. John Love walk you through exactly what you need to know to spread the Gospel to others. They explain the importance of “contemplating the face of Christ”, sharing your testimony, and proclaiming the Kerygma. Throughout the book, they support their ideas with Scripture and teaching from the magisterium. I interviewed one of the authors here.

6) How to Win Friends and Influence People (secular) by Dale Carnegie

  • Read this to become a more winsome ambassador for Christ. 
  • A classic book that teaches timeless conversation skills. It will make you into a “people person” even if you’re not one already. Also, it will help you to bring out the best in others.

7) Never Split the Difference (secular) by Chris Voss

  • Read this to learn how to handle the most stressful, loud, intimidating, or difficult conversations.
  • A fascinating read. Written by a retired FBI negotiator, this book shows you how to handle angry opponents and red-hot conversations. He teaches you proven tactics he used to talk down hostage-takers. He teaches you how to negotiate with car salesmen. You’ll find principles relevant for discussing the Catholic faith with unfriendly opponents.


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