The A.E.D. Method is a 3-step biblical approach for engaging objections to Christianity and sharing the gospel clearly, respectfully, and effectively; this method is rooted in 1 Peter 3:15-16 and gracefully demonstrated for us by Paul in Acts 17.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. - 1 Peter 3:15-16

AFFIRM – Find common ground. Acknowledge their emotion, perspective, experience or simply the courage it takes to ask hard questions.

Affirming someone in conversation doesn’t mean you agree with their worldview or conclusions—it means recognizing the common ground you can share. Everyone operates from a worldview shaped by deep questions about origin, meaning, purpose, identity, and destiny, and even if you disagree with their answers, you can still affirm the validity of those questions. Affirming can look like acknowledging a shared concern, validating their emotions, or simply recognizing the courage it takes to ask hard questions. By affirming what is true, relatable, or understandable—even within a counterview—you build rapport, demonstrate authenticity, and show respect. Engaging well means not only sharing truth, but doing so with empathy, patience, and grace. Sometimes the most powerful witness is your willingness to sit with someone in their discomfort and say, “I see you, I hear you, and I care.”

EXPOSE – Gently uncover what’s really behind their statements: assumptions, contradictions, or deeper struggles.

Expose the hidden assumptions and weaknesses within someone’s worldview by gently revealing where it lacks a solid foundation, fails to deliver on its promises, or collapses under its own logic—such as self-defeating claims like “there are no absolutes.” This part of the conversation primarily speaks to the head, though many objections are rooted in emotion as much as intellect. Emotional dissonance can be just as revealing as logical inconsistency. When appropriate, draw on culturally respected voices to highlight the limitations of widely accepted narratives. Show how certain beliefs may be overly simplistic, culturally narrow, or require just as much faith as the beliefs they critique. In doing so, you're not attacking, but inviting deeper reflection and gently challenging assumptions.

DIRECT – Strategies and tools to lead them back to Jesus.

Direct your hearers to Jesus—the ultimate goal of every conversation. Just as Jesus gently led the Samaritan woman to himself in John 4, we point others to the One who meets every human need: forgiveness, identity, belonging, purpose, and eternal hope. In Christ, the deepest questions of meaning and destiny find both a solid foundation and a sufficient answer. This step speaks to both the head and the heart, with the gospel at the center—not just as historical fact, but as personal truth: Christ for you. Our aim isn’t to win arguments, but to win hearts by sharing the life-changing power of the gospel (Romans 1:16), trusting that it is God’s Word—not ours—that transforms lives forever.