5 Easy Questions to Invite Anyone to Learn About the Gospel | An Interview with Murray Meszaros

Murray Meszaros is originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, and joined
the Church at age 21 after years of searching for peace and
answers. A year later he was serving a mission in Austria. Murray
worked in education for 42 years, including in elementary schools,
as director/CEO of a YM/YWCA, a college administrator, a
consultant, and lastly with the Utah State Board of Education. He
has served in the church in most Young Men advisor positions, as
Sunday School president and instructor, early morning seminary
teacher, elders quorum president, bishop and bishopric member,
stake clerk, and high councilor. Murray enjoys inventing board
games and is married to Melanie Meszaros. They have four children
and nine grandchildren and live in Ogden, Utah, where Murray
currently serves both as membership clerk and (for at least the
fifth time) ward mission leader. Highlights 01:40 Introduction to
the podcast 02:50 Murray’s background and callings 05:00 Murray
shares his conversion story and how he created new approaches for
sharing the gospel 07:40 The first characteristic of sharing the
gospel is to have a Christ-like attitude in all of our connections
09:30 The second characteristic is to be creative. We have to
create our own opportunities to share the gospel. 11:00 The third
characteristic is to be curious about individuals. What makes them
tick? What’s their situation? How can you connect with them through
these things? 11:15 The fourth characteristic is to be
complementary towards others 11:40 The fifth characteristic to
continuously follow up 12:15 You have to go find the sheep. They
aren’t going to find you. Very rarely are opportunities just going
to fall into your lap. 14:15 Murray shares stories of ways that he
has shared the gospel in an easy and natural way 15:20 The first
question. Ask permission to share anything with anybody. Would you
be willing…? Would you mind if I ask you some off the wall
questions? 16:40 The second question. If you could ask God a
question right now what would you ask Him? 17:20 The third
question. If you could know the answer to your question would you
want to know? 17:40 The fourth question. Would you be willing to
pay the price to know the answer to your question? 18:15 The fifth
question. Could some friends and I come by and answer some of your
questions? 19:30 What to do if people say no 20:00 If people don’t
have any questions, Murray gives some ideas of questions you can
ask them 27:30 We make sharing the gospel too hard! Start talking
to people at the gym or grocery store. 29:15 Murray shares what the
5 star is and how it can help you share the gospel 38:00 5 star can
help you not only update your records but it’s an opportunity to
meet new people and start meaningful conversations with them 41:00
Murray uses his same questions over the phone and over social media
too. He shares a story of how he set up zoom calls with a man that
was living in another state. 42:00 When to bring the missionaries
in 42:30 Going back to the question of do you want to know the
answer to your question? Murray will first teach them how to talk
to God and get that answer before he gets into answering their
question. 43:40 Creating a team in your ward and involving the ward
counsel in nurturing and ministering to this new individual that
has been found. 50:00 Murray’s questions help us use the love,
share, invite model 52:00 Murray shares some quotes from The Power
of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton Christensen. 56:00 Being a good
follower makes us a good leader Links PDF download: 5-Star
Improving Member Missionary Efforts and Engagement Powerpoint
download: 5-Star Improving Member Missionary Efforts and Engagement
The Power of Everyday Missionaries Following Up, by Elder M.
Russell Ballard Sharing the Restored Gospel, by Elder Dallin H.
Oaks Fourth Floor, Last Door, by President Dieter F.