Sharing Your Faith on an Airplane

My friend, Darrell Farney prays as he gets on an airplane, "Lord, if you bring it up, I'll talk about it."  Dr. Farney trusts that if the Sovereign Spirit has in mind for him to share his faith with a Seeking Sinner, He knows how to bring the topic up - he positions himself as the Surrendered Servant.  Have you ever heard the good news of an airplane conversation that resulted in a profession of faith in Christ? The surprising thing is that most all of these conversations started casually enough. 

Here we have provided 14 ways to get through that first awkward moment to begin the conversation, opening the door to potential divine appointments to share the Gospel. 

As surprising as it might be, people love to talk about themselves! So, probe without fear, and even if they are not willing to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, a seed has been planted. 

14 Airplane Conversation Starters: 

1. "How are you doing today?"
This most overlooked and underused question is a winner. Be ready to listen.

2. "Hi, my name is _____. What's your name?"
This is Social Introductions 101. Basic, but everyone is happy to say their name and have it repeated back to them.

3. "What do you do for a living?"
This is a great way to get to know someone, but make sure to keep the focus on the person, not the company.

4. "So, where are you headed?"
Easy way to get them talking about their personal life (work, family, etc).

5. "I like your outfit, where did you get it?"
Ideal for female-to-female, compliments on outfits are instant winners for women. Avoid if male.

6. “Mmm, airplane food!”
Laugh when you say. This is great for those comfortable with light-hearted conversations.

7. "Oh, you're going to ______, I know a church there!"If you are familiar with the area you are going, this could be a good chance to be open and direct about your faith.

8. "Can I buy you a snack?"
Generosity stirs curiosity and causes them to ask why.

9. "Do you ever wonder how peanuts/pretzels became the snack of choice on airplanes?"
Whether they know or not, the ice is broken.

10. "Are you on a business or personal trip?"
Get the person talking about their next few days and if they are happy or not.

11. "What is it that you’re reading?"
You can tell a lot about someone by what they read, so listen sincerely not just to move on to the next part of the conversation.

12. "What do you think about Tim Tebow?" OR “Have you heard of this Jeremy Lin kid?”
There are few who don’t know who these guys are and of those who know they are bound to have an opinion. You can reference their testimonies in a complimentary way to assess where your new friend stands.

13. "Do you fly often?"
If they’re flying often, that's less time at home. Either way, you can inquire how that impacts them.

14. "Can I ask you something?"
Based on their response, go straight for the first EE question. Might be exactly what that person needs to hear.