Earlier this afternoon I was heading to the DMV with a couple of my older children to register a car. We got backed up at the Irondequoit Bridge due to construction (two out of three lanes were shut down). Not expecting the back-up, I found myself wishing there was some other bridge I could cross.
Do you ever feel that way in witnessing? Perhaps there is a neighbor, co-worker, classmate, family member or friend that you've been wanting to reach with the gospel. But you're not exactly sure how. I have struggled with this at times myself, but this past week I came across a helpful list of suggestions. It's entitled Bridges to the Gospel and is part of a personal evangelism course I'm taking at Southern Seminary. Having benefitted from this myself, I thought I'd pass it on to the TruthWalk readership.
Do you ever feel that way in witnessing? Perhaps there is a neighbor, co-worker, classmate, family member or friend that you've been wanting to reach with the gospel. But you're not exactly sure how. I have struggled with this at times myself, but this past week I came across a helpful list of suggestions. It's entitled Bridges to the Gospel and is part of a personal evangelism course I'm taking at Southern Seminary. Having benefitted from this myself, I thought I'd pass it on to the TruthWalk readership.
Bridges to the Gospel
- CHURCH Bridge
- "Were you brought up in a particular religious tradition?"
- "Do they talk about heaven much in your church?"
- What does your church teach about the way a person becomes a Christian?"
- PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Bridge
- "Through the years, have you come to know Christ in a personal way, or are you still on the way?"
- "What is your current level of interest in spiritual things?"
- "Where are you in your own personal search for meaning and purpose in life?"
- INTELLECTUAL Bridge
- "Is there a specific question or concern that is hanging you up in your spiritual journey?"
- "Has anyone shared with you what the Bible teaches about . . . ?"
- "Has anyone ever shared with you how to have a personal relationship with God?"
- PERSONAL OPINION Bridge
- "In your opinion, what is a Christian?"
- "What do you think of . . . (God, Jesus Christ, religion, the Bible, meaning of life, etc.)?"
- CURRENT ISSUES Bridge
- "Rob, the Bible is a remarkably relevant book. Would you like to see what it has to say about this issue?"
- SPORTS Bridge
- Did you know that (name of a well-known athlete) is a Christian?"
- FELT NEEDS Bridge
- "You know, I still have my share of problems, but having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has made all the difference in how I handle them! I used to worry myself sick; God is teaching me how to have peace in the midst of the storms of life."
- "Yes, Mary, I have experienced great loneliness in my life. I used to wonder if anyone would miss me or even care if I died. But I have found a special Friend who loves me and will never leave me."
- PRAYER Bridge
- "Is there something I could pray about for you?"
- RELATIONSHIP Bridge
- "Bill, we've been friends for a while now. We have talked together about so many things, yet there is a very important part of my life I have never shared with you. Could I share with you about my spiritual pilgrimage?"
Over the last few weeks, I have made attempts to implement some of these strategies in my own witnessing efforts. Just this morning I used the "prayer bridge" with a waitress at a local restaurant while having breakfast meeting with another church member. The key is being prayerful and intentional about sharing Christ with others. As I strive to improve my own evangelistic efforts in God's strengths, I find practical resources like this quite helpful. I hope that you will, too.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, 20