The Bridge

• Contact: David Proffitt - aletheiachurch (AT) gmail.com

Four Spiritual Laws - revised:

1. Discuss that we are all sinners.
2. Explain that our works are not able to save.
3. Define that the way to salvation is through the cross.
4. Ask them to receive God's gift of salvation.

A Narrative Biblical Movement of the God's Work to Relate to Us.

1. God created all things good and He created us in His image.
2. God intended to have a relationship with us.  He entrusted mankind to oversee his creation and made it a habit to visit with the first humans.
3. Mankind rebelled against God's will (sin) which resulted in hatred, lying, cheating, stealing and definence of his desire for us to love one another.  The Old Testament and history tells the story of mankinds tragic relationships which continues to this day.
4. God sent His one and only Son to earth to rescue (redeem) humanity from their sin.
5. God offers forgiveness of sin and restoration of relationship with Him through trust in the death of His son to pay for sin.

Roman Road:

1. Romans 3:10-12
2. Romans 3:23
3. Romans 6:23
4. Romans 5:8
5. Romans 10:9-10

Mind of Christ

by Sam Polhamus

What is the best way to share your faith? Is it possible to fully know and understand how Jesus did it? One of the things in the New Testament that Jesus clearly demonstrates is his knowledge of each individual he shares with, which far surpasses our capability as humans. One thing Christians can do, however, is examine the attitude Jesus had each time He shared. Aletheia Church in Virginia calls it 'Rockin Philippians Two.' Whether it's knocking on doors, meeting students, or getting to know new people in the church, Philippians chapter two depicts the best way to connect with anyone.

Putting other's interests above your own is the Philippians Two model and is highlighted in verses three and four: in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (NKJV). The phrase 'better than' (verse three) in the Greek means to look at another as being literally superior than you. Paul was giving us a picture of how to have a godly mindset, and goes on to give a demonstration of the attitude described through verse 11 in Christ himself. Paul uses his own self as an example as well, saying he desires his life to be equated with being poured out as a drink offering, a symbol of his humble service to God and those in Philippi. He doesn't stop there, though. He goes on to use Timothy and Epaphroditus in the rest of chapter two as examples of how Christians are to be of the same mind as Christ.

God uses Paul to reveal in his letter to the Philippians that it is not only the attitude of genuine believers that is being described, but the attitude of Christ. Verse five of chapter two says 'let this mind be within you which is also in Christ Jesus' (NKJV). How do we as Christians do that? Aletheia does it by simply showing a genuine interest in other people that they meet going on campus, handing out fliers, and going door-to-door. Aletheians ask questions and make connections. Questions about where people are from, what they are into, and making connections with what is generally known and with other people involved in the like. Aletheians meet people going door-to-door or introducing themselves to students on campus while they are waiting in between classes or hanging out.

There has never been a more important time to be relational and build bridges between people to effectively communicating the Good News and minister to others. Especially now, while students and people feel the force of evil striking close to home and interest in sharing Christ is rising. Occurrences like what happened at Virginia Tech on April 16th prove that nobody is safe anywhere and the only way to truly be safe is to be transformed in Christ.

Implementing Philippians Two by asking questions about other's interests is the best way to prepare someone to hear the message of Christ. People love to talk about where they are from, what sports they like, what their job or major is, and so forth. Ask others these questions and do it in such a way genuine concern is demonstrated and you will see bridges form, connections made, and the attitude of Christ growing inside of you. Jason Zinn, a Richmond area high school graduate, and his friends were hanging out outside when a group from Aletheia started doing just that. Jason warmed up to the group from Aletheia as they started rocking Philippians Two with him. The Aletheia group talked about where he was from, what high school he went to, what sports he played growing up, and one or two connections they could get out of his interests and the people that he knew. When the topic of what Aletheia turned up, Jason listened, but his skeptic point of view that he shared with his friends didn't allow him to commit to anything. Anything but the weekly Bible study that Aletheia puts on.

At the initial interaction with Jason, the Aletheia group spoke about the Truth. They began with the existence of God and went to 'the wall and the bridge.' The wall indicates our imperfections, and on one side of it is God, who is perfect, and on the other are humans, who are imperfect. Once imperfect it is absolutely impossible to become perfect and God, knowing that, left heaven and came to earth 2,000 years ago to pay the penalty for our imperfections in death. That is the bridge. And we can walk across it and get to know God, have eternal security and power for now by repenting (feeling badly and desiring to change) and believing that Jesus is God (Acts 20:21).

Jason came to Bible study that week. He was encouraged by the love that all the staff members at Aletheia had shown him and was intrigued by the message of God and His love. "I kept coming back to Aletheia, to all of the weekly Bible studies" Jason said. "I felt loved and comfortable, and I also enjoyed the teaching." Jason crossed the bridge that Christ built through repentance and faith. He gave his life to Christ and it radically changed his life. Then he started being discipled through Aletheia's discipleship course©, which was written by David Proffitt.

What is the most important thing to remember about sharing Christ with pre-Christians? Look to their interests as being above your own, and to them as being superior to you, and you will see nonbelievers become interested in the attitude that you demonstrate, the attitude that will lead them to Christ. The attitude that Christ himself has.