A Bridge to the Gospel

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Guinevere watched as Audra walked to a quiet corner of the playground with a book. Audra sat down and started reading. She really hasn’t made any friends since she moved here, Guinevere thought. Maybe she’d come to Bible club with me. Our teacher said we should share Jesus with others, and I could do that by inviting her to church.

Guinevere approached Audra hesitantly. “Hey, Audra,” she said, “I go to Bible club on Tuesdays after school. Want to come with me tomorrow?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Audra replied. She closed her book, got up, and walked away. Disappointed, Guinevere shrugged and went to play kickball with the other kids. Well, I tried, she thought.

The next Sunday, there was a missionary speaker at Guinevere’s church. “When we first went to Africa,” said Mr. James, “the people in our village weren’t at all interested in hearing the good news of Jesus. As you know, we established a hospital in that area, and it has been a wonderful bridge to the gospel. After several people were treated at the hospital, they and their families were ready to hear about Jesus and how He died and rose again so He could have a relationship with them.”

A light seemed to go on in Guinevere’s mind. Maybe I need to make friends with Audra before I can share Jesus with her, she thought. I need to show her I care about her before she’ll listen to what I have to say about Jesus or go to church with me. If I show her what Jesus is like, maybe then she’ll want to hear more about Him.

The next day at recess, Guinevere smiled at Audra. “Why don’t you come play ball with the rest of us, Audra?” Guinevere suggested. Audra hesitated. “Come on,” Guinevere said. “We’ll have fun.” So Audra joined in the game.

A couple of days later, Guinevere made another suggestion. “My family is going to the zoo on Saturday,” she told Audra. “My parents said I could ask you to come with us.”

Audra looked pleased. “Sounds like fun,” she said. “I’ll ask my mom.”

“Great!” Guinevere grinned. “C’mon. Let’s go play kickball.”

-Esther M. Bailey

How About You?

Do kids resist your efforts to tell them about Jesus? Can you think of a way to build a bridge to the gospel? Perhaps you could take a gift to somebody who is sick. Or help someone with homework. Maybe you know a kid who just needs a friend. Jesus wants to have a relationship with each of us because He cares about us. Build a bridge to that good news by showing others you care about them too.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Corinthians 9:22 I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Reach others with friendship