1998 Mercury Sable Starting Problems

When I stop driving and lets say go inside the store I come back and my car acts like the battery is dead so I'd get a jump no problem. However now the car wont start at all it just makes the "clicking noise" acting like the battery is dead. So I replaced the battery and it is still doing it.I know it could be the starter or the leads going to the starter. Is there any way to check and also on a 98 model can you bypass the starter with the cellanoid the old screwdriver trick or no any insight would be appreciated. THank you