Chapter Eight

Building a Bridge

While I witness, I often notice many people who want to come to Christ lack the courage to respond. It is important that we build a bridge to help them find the strength to overcome the hindrances that discourage them from accepting Christ.

I was witnessing to a young man in Gray Rock, Arkansas, and he had a genuine interest in coming back to Christ. However, as I witnessed, his father was watching, and the son felt uncomfortable responding to Christ. I took a few steps sideways and blocked the view between him and his father and spoke more quietly. I was creating a better environment for the witness. I tried to make it easier for him to come back to Christ. The young man rededicated his life to Christ.

In Paris, Arkansas, I was witnessing to three ladies in a park. I sensed that two of the ladies did not have a relationship with Christ. When I issued the invitation to come to Christ, the ladies looked at each other but no one would admit they were away from Christ. It was time to help them come to Christ. I said, "Let's all take hands and I want to lead you in a prayer." I told them to pray this prayer like they meant it. I led them together in the sinners' prayer. I asked, "Who prayed that prayer and meant it and came back to Christ ?" Again, they all looked at each other and no one said anything. I said, "You two ladies came back to Christ didn't you?" They admitted that they did and now tears seemed to come to their eyes. This was the first time I noticed that people really need help to express their emotions, and to build a bridge to Christ. All of us have different emotions and I believe that we should do anything we can do to help someone to Christ. We helped them overcome pride and find Christ.

Also, when I am witnessing I will issue an invitation for someone to come to Christ. I have seen some issue an invitation by simply saying, "Do you want to pray to receive Christ?" Most will say no because they do not know how to pray and they are too embarrassed to do this on their own. They do not understand what it is they are being asked to do. I make it easy for them to respond to Christ and make it clear what they can do to receive Christ. Again, this bridge will help them to respond. I have noticed that people want, with all of their heart, to respond but just cannot. I will say to the person, "If you want to receive Christ, take my hand." I warmly extend my hand close to them and make it easy for them to take my hand. I will then say, "I will pray now, and you can follow me in a prayer to invite Christ into your heart." Helping others pray is an important bridge to Christ.

I sat down on a curb beside a homeless man in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to be closer to him and not look down on him. By sitting with him, I was able to identify more with the man and build a bridge to Christ. He became comfortable with me sitting with him, and we had an enjoyable discussion. After a few minutes, I changed the focus to Christ. The man quickly came to Christ and seemed to be saved and became my friend. I recorded Morris's name in my journal so that I will always remember our talk on the curb. It is so important that we learn how to identify with those we speak to and create the best possible opportunity for them to hear the gospel and be converted to Christ.

The technique of building a bridge is what we see in church services. When we see a pastor invite people in a service to Christ, we see an invitation given with everyone's eyes closed and for those wanting to accept Christ to raise their hand. This method is similar to what we do in the streets. While the techniques vary, the idea is still the same. We are trying to make the person feel comfortable in coming to Christ. In church, a pastor is asking for a response of a raised hand. In the streets we are asking for a response of an extended hand.

While techniques are useful and important, it is most important to allow the Holy Spirit to give the person the courage and conviction to come to Christ. All of us can remember when we came to Christ. We can remember the conviction that we felt and the courage that we had to respond. The most important bridge back to Christ is by the person of the Holy Spirit.

Street University Lesson Eight

Group Discussion

1. Discuss the concept of building a bridge to the lost. Discuss examples when you have seen someone not respond to the gospel where they might have if you would have made them feel more comfortable or made it easier for them to respond.

Bible Study

1. Although a man with an infirmity could not lower himself in the healing waters of Bethesda, Christ himself came to him and spoke health into him. John 5

Optional Assignment

1. The next time that you witness clearly say, "If you want to come to Christ, I will pray and you can follow me in that prayer and then you will know Him." Also, extend your hand and say, "If you want to come to Christ, take my hand and then we will pray." These simple techniques seem to build a bridge to make it easier for someone to respond.