Purpose: The purpose of this session is to introduce the disciple to the Bridge presentation of the Gospel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Draw two lines with the word “God” on the right, and “ Man” on the left.
Presenting the Bridge To Life Illustration, Copyright ©1969, 2007 by The Navigators; re-printed with permission from NavPress, all rights reserved.
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.