Part 2 -Joining Their Journey: How to Walk With Others Toward the Story of God

Adapted with attribution from I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Don Everts & Doug Schaupp)

In Top Gun: Maverick, you can see it in Rooster’s eyes.

He’s in the cockpit, the pressure building, the mission in front of him—and Maverick is right there, calling him forward. He’s listened. He’s followed. He respects him. But this moment is different. Trusting Maverick now would mean more than just flying formation—it would mean letting go of control, facing the past, and stepping into something that could change him.

And so, he hesitates. It’s not that he isn’t interested. It’s that he isn’t ready.

And that moment—when interest meets hesitation—is where so many people find themselves on the journey toward faith.

Part 2: When Faith Becomes Personal

As Everts and Schaupp observe, many people are interested in Jesus—but not yet ready for their lives to change.

This simple observation captures one of the most important—and most difficult—moments in the journey toward faith. Curiosity is there—but when it begins to feel personal, something often holds people back. Faith is no longer just an idea to explore; it becomes an invitation to change.

In Part 1, we explored how people often move from distrust to trust, and from complacency to curiosity. But curiosity, while significant, is still a safe place to be.

At this stage, someone can:

• Ask questions
• Explore ideas
• Engage in conversations about Jesus

…all without it requiring anything of them personally. But eventually, something begins to shift. Faith starts to feel less like a conversation… and more like an invitation.

Threshold 3: From Closed to Open to Change

This is often the hardest step in the journey. A person may trust Christians and be genuinely curious about Jesus—but still have one clear boundary:

“My life is off limits.”

They are open to ideas, but not yet open to transformation. Why?  Because real change is costly.

It touches:

• Identity
• Relationships
• Habits
• Control

Crossing this threshold means becoming open to the possibility that following Jesus might actually change something in their life.

The question shifts from: “Is this true?” to “What might this mean for me?” And that’s where things become deeply personal.

Scripture for the Journey

“Anyone who wants to be my disciple must give up their own way, take up their cross daily, and follow me.”  — Luke 9:23 (NLT)

Jesus is honest about the cost—but He always invites, never forces.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” — Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

This is the posture that begins to emerge—an openness to let God speak not just to beliefs, but to real life. This threshold is rarely crossed through pressure.

More often, it happens through:

• Time
• Trust
• Honest reflection
• And the quiet, persistent work of God

So, How We Walk With Others:

1. Make Space for Honest Conversations

At this stage, people don’t need pressure—they need space.  You can help by:

• Asking thoughtful, open-ended questions
• Letting them process without rushing to respond
• Creating a safe place for real thoughts and doubts

Sometimes the most helpful question is: “What do you think this might mean for your life?”

2. Share Your Story With Honesty

When faith becomes personal, stories often matter more than explanations. Share:

• How Jesus has shaped your life
• Areas where you’re still growing
• Real struggles—not just polished answers

This helps them see that following Jesus isn’t about having it all together—it’s about being transformed over time.

3. Walk Patiently Through the Tension

This stage often feels like a tug-of-war. They may feel:

• Drawn in, yet hesitant
• Curious, yet resistant
• Open, yet unsure

That’s normal.

Your role isn’t to resolve the tension—it’s to stay present in it. Be steady. Be patient. Keep showing up. God is often doing deeper work than we can see.

A Final Thought

This part of the journey can feel slow—and even uncertain.  But it is sacred ground. Because this is where faith begins to move from curiosity…to conviction.

Looking Ahead: In Part 3, we’ll explore what happens when someone begins to lean in more intentionally—and how we can walk with them as they move toward trusting Jesus.

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