Believing as we do that the gospel has propositional content as well as narrative substance, the question is: in what ways can we make those issues understandable to people who might not understand them clearly?
Let us suggest some ways. One way, if you are professionally (or near professionally) 
qualified might be to write very clear articles, essays and even books that attempt to survey that landscape. Another way might be to preach sermons or series of sermons or give talks or series of talks to get that across. And, given the appearance of multi-media in our generation one would expect, ceteris paribus, these ideas would come across even more clearly. But those methods though valuable and necessary might NOT give us the kind of reassurance we desire to have that our audience has really understood what we have communicated.
A third way—a way we think is central to the sort of conversation and relational form of evangelism we’re endorsing here--would be to ask good questions to see if what was communicated was understood. Of course we’re not advocating an interrogation (or worse yet, an inquisition), but more of a Socratic styled method that involves discerning attitudes and finding teachable moments.
The one thing we want to avoid is being in such a hurry to just “get through the gospel” we don’t take time to see if they are even interested or get feedback as we go. We also are not in such a hurry we make explaining the gospel like a rapid-fire tape recording. Furthermore, we’re not interested in an argument for the sake of argument (or winning one), we’re simply interested in understanding and being understood.
So let’s explore some of the questions that you can raise in conversations that can help you be sure that important issues in the gospel have been understood. Here’s a list of questions possible questions that you could learn to judiciously incorporate:
Regarding their interest in the gospel:
- If it turned out there was a God who was absolutely perfect and loving and interested in you, would you be interested?
- Do you ever think about spiritual things like God?
- Is it worth your while to talk about Jesus?
- Have you ever taken any classes in religion (at the university)?
- What do you think was your take-away from those courses?
- The meaning of the word gospel is “good news,” do you have any idea of what is good news about the gospel?
- If the gospel means “good news,” in what sense do you see it as good news for you?
- What has gone on in your life so that you have come to be not be interested in having a relationship with God?
Regarding Jesus:
- How does Jesus fit into your understanding of a (your) relationship to God?
- What is your understanding of what Christians believe about Jesus?
- Why do you think He is considered so important?
- What is your take on the reason why He was crucified?
- What are the sources you’ve used to form your opinions about Jesus?
Regarding what separates us from God:
- Do you ever feel estranged from God?
- Do you ever have feelings of guilt?
- Do you ever feel that your feelings of guilt are justified?
- When I speak of the term ‘sin’, what is your understanding of what that means?
- Do you think there is any truth in the concept of sin?
- Do you care about it?
- What are your reasons for not caring about that?
Regarding the supernatural element of Christianity:
- To what extent do you think the idea of (actual) miracles play in understanding Christianity?
- How do you interpret what the Bible calls the miracles of Jesus?
- What about the miracle of the resurrection?
- What do you think about that?
- How did you come to that belief?
Regarding the concept of substitutionary atonement:
- If you wanted to be reconciled with God, what do you think you’d have to do?
- How does Jesus play (or come into) all that?
- Do you think it was unnecessary to die as He did on the cross?
Regarding the resurrection:
- Did you or do you understand Jesus to have claimed he would be resurrected after his crucifixion?
- What do you take to be the meaning of the alleged resurrection of Jesus (that is, suppose Jesus was raised by God from the dead...what would that mean if true?) ?
- Have you ever investigated the historical evidence for the resurrection?
- What sort of evidence or argument would be necessary for you to believe Jesus was resurrected?
Regarding what would happens if and after they would decide to become followers of Jesus:
- What do you think it would be like if you decided to become a follower of Jesus?
- What would be different in your life and the way you live?
Remember that HOW you ask questions (your facial expression and tone of voice) communicates so much!