This plan is a simple one to remember because all the scriptures come from the book of Romans. It is also easy for the person to whom you are sharing Christ to remember the text for future reference. It is used in various forms and various texts from Romans. Here is a good model to follow for the Roman Road. Your conversation might go something like this:
“The last part of Romans 6:23 presents the greatest news ever given to men and women. ‘The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ This is a free gift with no strings attached. You can have that gift today! It is the gift of eternal life. Would you like to have the assurance of that gift today? [If they respond yes, then continue on. If they respond no, then ask whether they have any questions. Respond to the questions. Then continue on with the plan or agree to meet at another time when you can talk more about any issues]
“Eternal life is the good news that comes through Jesus Christ. But as Romans 3:23 says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ This presents the condition of our lives today. We are sinners. The most important word in the verse is the little word all. We are all sinners when we stand before a holy God. You are a sinner. Everybody you know is a sinner. I am a sinner. Most of us know that we sin. We do good things, but we sin, and our sin separates us from God. So God sent Jesus Christ to forgive our sin. The next Scripture in Romans explains the result of that sin. Would you like to hear more? [Again, if the answer is yes, continue on. If it is no, then do what it takes to get the person to the next step.]
“The next Scripture is the first part of Romans 6:23, which presents the result of our sin. I have already presented the last part of Romans 6:23, which presents the good news. But notice what the Bible says in the first part of Romans 6:23: ‘For the wages of sin is death.’ The word wage means pay. When we work, we expect to get paid what we deserve. The pay for our sin is death or eternal separation from God. That is what we deserve because of our sin. If the story of God ended there it would be BAD news, not GOOD news. But remember, the gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. There is one last part of this good news story from God. Would you like to hear that? [You are preparing to enter the most important part of this plan and need to have plenty of time to do so. Make sure the person is ready. The share the awesome news of salvation with boldness]
“The answer to our sin dilemma is found in Romans 6:1-4. 'What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.'”
“This scripture beautifully explains how our sin is forgiven. It portrays a life of faith. I have placed my faith in Christ. You can entrust your life to Christ today. You can trust in His death and resurrection for your salvation. Are you ready to trust Christ for your salvation? This scripture portrays a life of repentance. I have repented of my sin and made a conscious decision to turn from my sin and walk directly toward Jesus. That is repentance. Do you choose to turn around, walk directly toward Jesus, and leave your sin behind? This scripture explains Christian baptism. It explains that when you are baptized, you share in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I have been baptized into Christ. Do you choose to be baptized into Jesus Christ? Once you make that decision, the scripture explains that you choose to live for Jesus the rest of your life. That is the greatest decision I have ever made. Every day I choose to live for Jesus. You can make that decision today.”
If the person is ready, you might need to set the baptism that day or explain how he or she can be baptized at another time. If the answer is no, then ask the person if you could pray with him, and let him know you would like to talk with him more at another time. Remember this decision is entirely up to him or her; it is not a positive thing to coerce anyone into obedience to Christ before he or she is ready. At the same time, salvation is an eternal decision; so do not give up on the person or on the power of the Holy Spirit to work in that person’s life.