3. The Bridge

Purpose: The purpose of this session is to introduce the disciple to the Bridge presentation of the Gospel.

Objectives

1. The disciple will familiarize himself with the Bridge as an evangelism tool.

2. The disciple will memorize important verses associated with the Bridge.

3. The disciple will become confident in his use of the Bridge.

Agenda

1. Mutual sharing, accountability and prayer.

2. Demonstration of the Bridge by discipler to disciple.

3. Discuss difficulties disciple may have.

4. Disciple presents the Bridge.

Introduction

The Bridge diagram is simply a tool used by many believers to explain the plan of salvation to a non-believer. It is a visual expression to aid the understanding of the spiritual concept of salvation.

It is important that every believer be confident of his ability to explain the Gospel and give clear direction about how one is to respond in order to obtain salvation.

Once someone is familiar and comfortable using this tool, it will enable him to give a clear, concise presentation in a relatively short period of time. All that is needed is a pencil and something to write on: paper, napkin, business card (a little small but still a possibility).

As you draw the lines of your Bridge diagram, you speak spiritual truths from the Word of God, thus providing a pictorial representation of the process of salvation that the person can take home.

Opportunities for Presenting the Bridge

Often we find ourselves in a position where we have an wonderful opportunity for sharing our faith and we get so nervous and afraid that we’ll say the wrong thing that we end up saying nothing at all! This will never be the case again once you know how to present the Bridge and have practiced it. Perhaps you enter into a discussion with a non-Christian friend and you have the opportunity to tell him what you believe. You might say, “May I draw this diagram to help you understand what I’m saying?” Or maybe you feel the

necessity to ask a question like, “Do you know if you were to die tonight that you would go to heaven?” If the answer is “no,” then you might offer to show them the Bridge diagram to help explain that God says in the Bible that you can know you have eternal life. The Bridge illustration can be given in approximately 15 minutes.

Presenting the Bridge

The Bridge is presented in four sections:

God’s Love

Man’s Problem

God’s Remedy

Man’s Response

Each section has appropriate Scripture to be memorized and used so that your presentation will be smooth and full of the powerful Word of God. . As you learn and practice presenting the Bridge, it will become very natural to you. Remember this is only a tool to help tell the Good News of Jesus Christ It is the Holy Spirit Who moves hearts and gives understanding.

Presenting the Bridge

Draw two lines with the word “God” on the right, and “ Man” on the left.

Major Point—God’s Love

• Talk about God first and explain that the Bible teaches that God loves us, and that He wants us to live life to the full. Recite John 10:10
• Man was created to spend time with God to be His friend, and experience His love. Genesis 1:27
• Man was not created as a robot. God gave man free will

Sample Questions

• What does it mean to live life to the full?
• How many of your friends are living life to the full?
• When you think of God, Who is He and what is He like?

Major Point— Man’s Problem

• Man has turned his back on God. Isaiah 53:6
• The result of man’s sin is separation from God, Romans 3:23
• The payment for sin is death Romans 6:23
• Appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27
• All men are in the same hopeless situation.
• God’s opinion is the only one that counts.

Sample Questions

• Would you agree that everyone has sinned somehow?
• How would you define sin?
• In your opinion what are the consequences of sin?
• When you think of death, what do you think of?

Major Point—God’s Remedy

• Discuss the fact that God still loves us and desires that we know Him personally.
• There is nothing we can do to bridge the gap.
• Jesus Christ is God and also man.
• When Christ died voluntarily on the cross, he took our place. He paid the penalty for our sins and bridged the gap for us.

Sample Questions

• If death is separation from God, what is life?
• What is your understanding of who Christ is and why he died?
• Are you familiar with Christ’s death as substitutionary as taught in the Bible?

Major Point—Man’s Response

• Christ made it possible for us to cross over to God, but we need to take action that demonstrates that we believe what Christ has done for us.
• Praying to God, we need to agree with God that we have sinned, and receive Jesus as payment for our sins.
• Believing in Christ also means trusting what He says in Scripture is true.

Sample Questions

• What do we receive when we hear and believe?
• According to these verses, how does one cross over to God
• Where would you place yourself in this illustration?
• Is there any reason why you should not receive Jesus and His gift of eternal life?

 

Presenting the Bridge To Life Illustration, Copyright ©1969, 2007 by The Navigators; re-printed with permission from NavPress, all rights reserved.

Life Application

Practice using the Bridge illustration until you are very comfortable with it and familiar with all the Scripture to use. Refresh your memory often so that you will always be ready to help someone understand God’s plan of salvation. Use the diagram below to practice your own presentation of the Bridge.