The Bridge to Life – Sharing the Gospel
Pastor Tan Thai · Jan 5, 2022
This document is an evangelism training resource using the 'Bridge to Life' illustration to explain the way of salvation. Its three main parts address mankind's problem of sin, God's solution through the cross, and each person's responsibility to receive Christ. It serves as a practical tool for believers to share the gospel clearly and systematically.
This evangelism training material was prepared for the 'Servant's Heart Evangelism Training' program in November 2021. Its purpose is to equip believers to share the gospel simply and clearly through the 'Bridge to Life' illustration. The document is structured into three major parts, each grounded in specific Scripture references.
The first part addresses mankind's problem: sin created a separation between humanity and God. God created people to have a relationship with Him and desired for them to have abundant life (John 10:10). However, humanity chose to sin, and that sin destroyed the relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2). God possesses three key attributes — holiness, eternity, and justice — and as a result, humanity faces three serious consequences: all have sinned (Romans 3:23), all die (Romans 6:23), and all will face final judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
The second part presents God's solution: salvation. Aware of their sinfulness, people attempt to remedy it through three approaches — good works, morality, and religion. Yet all such efforts fall short of God's perfect holy standard (Isaiah 64:6, Titus 3:5, Matthew 23:27). Nevertheless, because of His love for humanity, God provided the only bridge across the gulf of sin: the cross of Jesus Christ. Christ died in our place (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18) and declared Himself the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
The third part addresses each person's responsibility to receive Christ. Christ's death does not automatically save everyone; each individual must make a personal decision. The material carefully distinguishes genuine faith from mere intellectual acknowledgment, noting that even demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). Truly receiving Christ means confessing oneself as a sinner unable to save oneself, believing that Jesus died and rose again for one's sins, repenting, and inviting Him to be Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10). All who receive Him are forgiven, receive eternal life, and become children of God (John 1:12, 1 John 5:11-13).