How To Use The Roman Road

Memorizing Scripture comes easily for some people. Being able to open the Bible and flip from verse to verse to lead someone through the Plan of Salvation using the Roman Road is an amazing gift to have. If you are like many people though, it can be overwhelming.

One way to make it easier is to put a simple bookmark on the page of the first verse you plan to start with (remember there are different versions of the Roman Road that you can use). If you don't mind writing in your Bible, you can highlight the first verse. Then in the margin, simple write the reference to the next verse (Romans 3:23, for example) so you know where to turn too. At the second verse, highlight it and then in the margin, write your next reference, etc.

If you don't want to write in your Bible, get a small piece of paper (business card or bookmark size) and write the verse reference in a list. Just put the paper in your Bible at the first verse you will use.

Spend some time studying the Roman Road method. Read the verse and think about why it is part of the Roman Road. Practice presenting it either in your mind or better yet, on a fellow believer.

How do you actually share the Roman Road with someone? I am not one who believes you can drag someone into heaven. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. We are here to present the Bible truths, let Him do His will in each situation. In each of the following scenarios, no matter the outcome of your conversation, pray for the person you are witnessing to after parting ways.

If you find yourself having a conversation with a stranger or casual acquaintance, you can say something like "God has been real good to me lately. I needed ..." and relate how God has been good to you. Then ask the person, "Has God been active in your life lately?" Then if he is a believer, he will probably share his own experience. If he is backslidden, he might acknowledge that he has been distant from God or that he used to go to church, etc. In that case, definitely encourage him to get back to Him by saying something like, "You know, God is still loves you just like He did when He saved you. Life can be so hard at times, I hope you'll make some time to pray this week. The Bible says if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you." Then let it go (unless the guy wants to keep talking about it) and let the Holy Spirit do His work. This plants a seed for him to get back into a right relationship with God.

If you share this conversation with someone who says something like "I am just as good as those people who go to church ...", acknowledge that absolutely, church attendance doesn't get anyone to heaven. Then you could ask, "Can I show you what the Bible says about the true way to get to heaven?" If they say no, then with a positive attitude say something like "Well, I hope you will look it up one day when you get time. I have a copy of the Book of John, if you want to take it with you." And then let it go and let the Holy Spirit do His work. Again this is a seed planting opportunity, not a harvest.

If he doesn't outright say no or says I don't know. Say, "It's pretty basic, look here..." and open up your Bible and show the verse to him. Don't just read it to him, point to the verses so he sees it himself. The Holy Spirit might move fast. Ask him, "Have you ever felt the need to ask God for forgiveness?" Yes? "Can I lead you through a prayer?" No? "If you ever do, God will be waiting for you." Then let it go.

Suppose this fellow answers you with something like, "I don't believe in that junk." You could say something like, "Is it that you don't believe it or you just haven't really had time to study it out?" If he responds that he doesn't believe it, that everybody thinks they know the truth (and he is lumping you in with that group ;) and he is being pretty clear that he doesn't want to have this conversation with you, you could say something like, "Well, I hope you won't let other people keep you from God" or "Well, if you ever feel like God IS trying to get your attention, I hope you'll read the Bible, at least the Book of John, for yourself. Hey, I have a copy if you want to take it with you" And again, let the Holy Spirit do His work.

If he gives you the indication that he really just doesn't know what it's all about, then you could ask, "Can I show you what the Bible says about the true way to get to heaven?" If they say no, then with a positive attitude say something like "Well, if you ever feel like God IS trying to get your attention, I hope you'll read the Bible, at least the Book of John, for yourself. Hey, I have a copy if you want to take it with you." And then let it go and let the Holy Spirit do His work. Again this would be a seed planting opportunity, not a harvest.

If he doesn't outright say no or says I don't know. Say, "It's pretty basic, look here..." and open up your Bible and show the verse to him. Don't just read it to him, point to the verses so he sees it himself. The Holy Spirit might move fast. Ask him, "Have you ever felt the need to ask God for forgiveness?" Yes? "Can I lead you through a prayer?" No? "If you ever do, God will be waiting for you." Then let it go.

I hope you are getting the picture. You aren't necessarily going to lead everyone to Christ down the Roman Road, but you can plant seeds while you're trying to get them to follow you.