Step 1 - God's Love and His plan

God created us in His own image to be His friend and to experience a full life assured of his love, abundant and eternal.

Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10b)

"...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

Since God planned for us to have peace and abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience?

Step 2 - Our Problem: Separation from God

God created us in His own image to have abundant (meaningful) life. He did not make us robots to automatically love and obey him, but he gave us a will and a freedom of choice.

We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

"...your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)

On our own, there's no way we can attain the perfection needed to bridge the gap to God. Through the ages, individuals have tried many ways...without success.

Good works won't do it...or religion...or money...or morality...or philosophy...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)

Step 3 - God's Remedy: The Cross

Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin and bridging the gap between God and people.

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..."

(I Peter 3:18)

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." (I Timothy 2:5)

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

(Romans 5:8)

Step 4 - Our Response

Believing means trust and commitment - acknowledging our sinfulness, trusting Christ's forgiveness and letting Him control our life. Eternal, abundant life is a gift for us to receive.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)

Is there any reason why you shouldn't cross over to God's side and be certain of eternal life?

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How to receive Christ:

1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).

2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).

3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit (Receive Him as Lord and Savior of your life).

What to pray:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as the Lord and Savior of my life.
In Your name. Amen.

God's assurance of eternal life
If you've prayed this prayer and are trusting Christ, then the Bible says that you can be sure you have eternal life.

"...for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:12-13)

Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer...this is called regeneration or the "new birth."

What next?

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ.

To deepen this relationship you should:

1. Maintain regular intake of the Bible to know Christ better.

2. For more information see the Word Hand illustration.

3. Talk to God in prayer every day.

4. For more information see the Prayer Hand illustration.

5. Tell others about your new faith in Christ.

6. For help doing this, use the same illustration that is presented above. The important thing is that you let others know about your new faith in Christ.

7. Worship, fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.

8. As Christ's representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.

Bridge training tool
The following PDF document is also available to download for training in how to use The Bridge Illustration as a ministry tool.
Bridge training tool (bridge.pdf)
(Requires Adobe Acrobat)

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Bridge to Life booklet
From NavPress - this small booklet presents the gospel clearly, using simple diagrams and selected Scriptures to explain the need for salvation and how to come to faith in Christ.

Some information on this page is courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version.
Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

The Wheel®

This simple but effective illustration has been used by Navigators for more than fifty years. It helps Christians understand what they are called to do as disciples of Christ. Each part of this illustration represents a crucially important component of a vital Christian life.

Use this illustration to gain understanding about important spiritual disciplines in your own life. What areas encourage you? What areas challenge you?

Why not sketch out "The Wheel Illustration" on a napkin or scrap of paper with someone you are discipling. Help challenge them to think clearly about how to be an obedient follower of Christ.

The Volitional Dimension:
How You Relate to Yourself

The Hub: Christ the Center
See: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20
Making Christ central in your life is an act of your will. Surrendering totally to Christ's authority and lordship may be at conversion or after some months or even years. God creates within you the desire to do what He wants you to do in order to express His lordship in your life.

The Rim: Obedience to Christ
See: Romans 12:1; John 14:21
Some acts of obedience to God are internal. But even these internal acts of obedience, such as attitudes, habits, motives, sense of values, and day-to-day thoughts, eventually surface in relationships with other people. The proof of your love for God is your demonstrated obedience to Him.

The Vertical Dimension:
How You Relate to God

The Word Spoke
See: 2 Timothy 3:16; Joshua 1:8
As God speaks to you through the Scriptures, you can see His principles for life and ministry, learn how to obey, and become acquainted with the Christ who is worthy of your unqualified allegiance. A vital personal intake of God's Word is essential for health and growth.

The Prayer Spoke
See: John 15:7; Philippians 4:6-7
Prayer is a natural response to God as you hear Him speak to you through His Word. It is sharing your heart with the One who longs for your companionship and who cares about your concerns. Prayer unleashes the power of God in your personal battles and in the lives of those for whom you pray.

The Horizontal Dimension:
How You Relate to Others

The Fellowship Spoke
See: Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:24-25
Learning from and encouraging others creates a chemistry pleasing to God. God has directed Christians to build each other up through inter-dependence and loving relationships with each other.

The Witnessing Spoke
See: Matthew 4:19; Romans 1:16
The natural overflow of a rich vibrant life in Christ should be sharing with others how they too can have this life. God has given believers the privilege and responsibility of reaching the world with the Good News about Christ.

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Why the wheel?

This is a sample of Dawson Trotman's Wheel Illustration tract from the 1930s.

Two years after his conversion, twenty-two year old Dawson Trotman who later founded The Navigators sought to establish teen-aged boys in the Christian life. He had compared the Christian life to a three-legged stool. But life in Christ was too exciting and dynamic to live sitting down, so he asked God for another idea.

God gave him The Wheel illustration. The hub represents Christ with four equal spokes connecting into the source of life and power. Dawson believed this was a graphic model of the kind of disciples Christ wanted.

In the early 1930s the Wheel became a major emphasis in Dawson's ministry among sailors. And ever since, it has helped countless believers understand what they are called to do as disciples of Christ. May it also benefit you.

This is a sample of Dawson Trotman's Wheel Illustration tract from the 1930s.

The "Word Hand" shows five very important methods of learning from the Bible.


HEARING
Romans 10:17
Hearing the Word from godly pastors and teachers provides insight into others' study of the Scriptures as well as stimulating your own appetite for the Word.

READING
Revelation 1:3
Reading the Bible gives an overall picture of God's Word. Many people find it helpful to use a daily reading program which takes them systematically through the Bible.

STUDYING
Acts 17:11
Studying the Scriptures leads to personal discoveries of God's truths. Writing down these discoveries helps you organize and remember them.

MEMORIZING
Psalm 119:9, 11
Memorizing God's Word enables use of the Sword of the Spirit to overcome Satan and temptations...to have it readily available for witnessing or helping others with a "word in season."

MEDITATING
Psalm 1:2, 3
Meditation is the thumb of the Word Hand, for it is used in conjunction with each of the other methods. Only as you meditate on God's Word--thinking of its meaning and application in your life--will you discover its transforming power at work within you.

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Taken from: The Personal Growth Series, The Navigators

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The Word Hand printable document
The following is a PDF document of The Word Hand Illustration. 
(Requires Adobe Reader)

As the thumb touches all four fingers, so praise should permeate my whole prayer life.

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How to Share Christ's Love Conversationally & Visually
By Randy D. Raysbrook

Many people feel that to be effective in evangelism they must memorize a complex illustration and a multitude of verses. But the Gospel is most powerful when shared with love, clarity, and simplicity.

One-Verse Evangelism(r) is a simple, interactive way to share Christ's love conversationally and visually. It is based on asking questions and sharing. It's easy to learn because it uses just one verse. One-Verse Evangelism(r) is also sensitive to peoples' busy schedules because it can be shared in just 10 or 15 minutes.

Here's a brief look at how it works. Let's say God's leading you to share the Gospel with your neighbor, Jeff. Write out Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper or a napkin: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NIV). Then put your Bible away. Ask Jeff if he would like to see a simple picture based on this verse that will explain God's relationship with people.

Circle this word and ask, "How would you feel if your boss refused to pay you the wages that were due to you?" Deep down, we all know that it is only right that we get what we deserve. Similarly, we earn wages from God for how we have lived our lives.

Draw a circle around "sin," asking your friend what he thinks when he hears this word. You might explain that sin is more an attitude than an action. It can be either actively fighting God or merely excluding Him from our lives. You can ask, "Has God ever seemed far away?" If he says "Yes," add that that's one of the things sin does-it makes God seem far away. Now draw two opposing cliffs with a gap in between.

Circle this word and ask what thoughts come to mind. Explain that death in the Bible always means some kind of separation.

While circling this word, mention that it is important because it means that a sharp contrast in thought is coming. What we have just looked at is bad news; what follows is good news.

Draw a circle around this word. Ask, "If wages are what a person earns, then what is a gift?" Remind your friend that someone must purchase every gift.

Circle this and explain that the gift you are talking about is free. It is from God Himself. It's so special that no one else can give it. Ask, "How do you feel when someone gives you a special gift?"

Circle these two words next, and then ask, "How would you define these words?" Contrast one side of the cliff, death, with the other side, eternal life. Ask, "What is the opposite of separation from God?"

Draw these words so they create a bridge between the two cliffs. Help your friend to consider that every gift has a giver, and only Jesus Christ can give the gift of eternal life.

Write this word over the bridge you just drew. Explain that friends trust each other, and tell your friend that Jesus wants a trusting friendship with him. All he has to do is admit that he is responsible for the "sin" of either fighting or excluding God from his life. That is what trust means-trusting that Jesus wants to forgive us for rejecting Him from our lives. At this point, you can ask him if he wants to start a relationship with God that will last forever. If he says "Yes," invite him to pray a short prayer in his own words, asking Jesus to forgive him.

Close by reminding him that this simple illustration shows what God is like: Someone who really cares about people, especially him. Invite him to read all about it in the Bible, perhaps beginning in the gospel of John.

Adapted with permission from One-Verse Evangelism, copyright 2000 Randy D. Raysbrook. All rights reserved.

You may order this booklet from NavPress, or call (800) 366-7788.

We sing the song, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back," but why is it that so many people do? There seems to be an epidemic of Christians who begin well but finish poorly. Let me share seven crucial characteristics that will help you to finish well.

Our highest calling is to grow in our knowledge of Christ and to make Him known to others. Does our desire to know Christ exceed all other aspirations? If not, whatever is taking His place in the center of our affections must yield to Him if we are to know the joy of bearing spiritual fruit. A key secret of those who finish well is to focus more on loving Jesus than on avoiding sin. The more we love Jesus, the more we will learn to put our confidence in Him alone.

Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fellowship, study, worship, and submission are not ends in themselves, but means to the end of intimacy with Christ and spiritual formation. When left to itself, however, any one of these disciplines tends to decline and decay. An infusion of directed intentionality and effort is necessary to sustain order and growth and to bring repeated times of personal renewal.

Part of the purpose of our suffering and trials is to drive us to dependence on God alone. God responds by revealing more of Himself to us. This knowledge increases our faith and our capacity to trust His character and His promises through the times we do not understand His purposes and His ways. When we view our circumstances in light of God's character instead of God's character in light of our circumstances, we come to see that God is never indifferent to us, and that He uses suffering for our good so we will be more fully united to Christ.

Those who finish well maintain an ongoing learning posture through the seasons of their lives. Humility and responsive obedience are the keys to maintaining a teachable spirit.

Humility is the disposition in which we displace self through the enthronement of Christ in our lives and realize that all of life is about trust in God. Obedience is the application of biblical faith in that which is not seen, and that which is not yet. As we mature in Christ, we learn to trust God's character and promises in spite of ambiguity or trials.

God has called each of us to a purposeful journey sustained by faithfulness and growing hope. This calling or vocation transcends our occupations and endures beyond the end of our careers. As we seek the Lord's guidance in developing a personal vision and clarity of mission, we move beyond the level of tasks and accomplishments to the level of the purpose for which we were created.

Relationships such as spiritual mentoring, servant leadership, and personal and group accountability are valuable resources that encourage, equip, and exhort. People who finish well do not do so without the caring support of other growing members of the body of Christ. These relationships help us to increase in intimacy with Christ, maintain the needed disciplines, clarify our long-term perspective, sustain a teachable attitude, and develop our purpose and calling.

Spirit-filled living requires us to discover and develop the spiritual gifts we have received and exercise them through the Spirit's power for the edification of others. Believers who finish well are marked by ongoing outreach and sacrificial ministry for the good of other people.

Those who squander the resources, gifts, experiences, and hard-learned insights God has given them by no longer investing them in the lives of others soon wither and withdraw.

What does it take to finish well? How can we run in such a way that we can say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7; Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 9:24-27)? Taking to heart the above seven characteristics will help you finish well day by day, as you "run with endurance the race that is set before [you]" (Heb. 12:1).

Ken is president of Reflections Ministries, an organization that seeks to provide safe places for people to consider the claims of Christ. He has authored numerous books, including Pursuing Wisdom, The Art of Living Well, The Psalms: A Journal, and The Trinity: A Journal (all NavPress).

Dwight Hill

As we grow in Christ, it's important that we advance from manmade Bible studies to digging into the Word of God for ourselves. A common method is "inductive" Bible study. The words from the author of Hebrews are salient:

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Heb. 5:12-14, NIV).

To begin, I would suggest that you select one of Paul's smaller books-1 Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 or 2 Timothy. Do a background study on the book: Who is the author; why was it written? Learn the historical background, dates, key players, and such. Some Bibles have summaries at the beginning of each book. A Bible dictionary can also be helpful.

Then take the first chapter and work through it verse by verse. After exhausting your analysis, consult a Bible commentary. Here is a sampling from 1 Timothy (adapted from Issue 90 of Discipleship Journal, page 20):

Verse

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope . . . " (1 Tim. 1:1, NIV).

Personal Paraphrase

Paul, one sent forth as Christ's representative, by the commandment of God, the One who saves us, and Christ Jesus our hope...

Questions and Answers

Q. What does the word "apostle" mean?

A. The Greek word apostolos comes from the verb apostello, "send forth."

Cross References

Apostle:
2 Corinthians 1:1

God my Savior:
Luke 1:47; Titus 1:3

Christ our hope:
Colossians 1:27

Insights

The name Paul comes from the Latin name Paulus, which means "little." The name Timothy means, "He who honors God."

Personal Application

I must begin to see myself in the role of Christ's ambassador who has been authorized and sent out with a divine message. The authority of my witness will only be as effective as my awareness of my mission.

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After completing the verse-by-verse analysis of the chapter, assign it a title and a key verse or verses. Write a summary paragraph as to the thesis of the chapter. Repeat the process for subsequent chapters. When the book is completed, give it a title.

Sadly, mediocrity is a hallmark of the age. Let me challenge you to set some high goals for your personal spiritual growth.

For example, you might say that within the next 10 years you will have studied in this manner a certain number of the books of the Bible-giving, say, three hours a week to study (not to be confused with or substituted for your "quiet time").

Wasn't it Michael Jordan who once said, "Aim at nothing and you are sure to hit it"?

Dwight is with the Business and Professional (B&P) ministry of The Navigators. B&P exists to win and disciple business and professional men and women in the marketplace and to help them live kingdom values in their work environments. Visit B&P online and sign up to receive several of the ministry's publications via e-mail, including Facts of the Matter, in which this article first appeared.

The Evolution of the Wheel Illustration

by Ray King

"They say the Christian life is like a three-legged stool," the young Sunday School teacher told his class. "You must be supported by three things--the Word, prayer and witnessing--to be effective in your Christian lives."

Throughout his ministry, Dawson Trotman, founder and first president of The Navigators, liked to use illustrations or diagrams like this to help others remember basic principles of the Christian life. So in the 1930s, when he was working with Sunday School classes and boys' clubs, he used the best illustration he had heard describing the balanced Christian life--the three-legged stool (illustration 1).

But Trotman became dissatisfied with the illustration. It left the Christian sitting down--certainly not a practical way to approach the dynamic Christian life he saw taught in the Bible. After much thought and prayer, he designed what he called "The Wheel" illustration to solve this problem.

This wasn't the Wheel many of us know today, but a forerunner to it. The hub was Christ, the center of the Christian's life; but there were only three spokes on this wheel, corresponding to the three legs of the stool (illustration 2).

Now he had the Christian moving, but he began to see another weakness in the illustration. It showed that Christians should witness, know the Word and pray, but it left out the application of the Bible to all areas of one's life demonstrating the power of Christian living.

So Trotman added a fourth spoke--"Living the Life" --to the Wheel (illustration 3). The rim was called "The Christian Life" or "The Christian in Action."

This emphasis on living every area of life with and for the Lord came at an important time. Dr. Arthur Glasser, dean of the School of Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary, says, "Dawson was one of the pioneers in reacting against easy believism. Daws said 'You can't treat a command in the Bible as advice. A command is a command!' He was a living protest against a form of Christianity that sought to understand the Bible, but which wasn't serious about obeying it."

Later the new fourth spoke, "Living the Life," was shortened to "Obedience" and the rim was renamed "The Christian Living the Life" (illustration 4). Some people asked, "Where is the Holy Spirit in the Wheel?" Trotman answered that the Holy Spirit was intrinsic throughout, being necessary to the fulfillment of each component of the Wheel.

After Trotman's death, in 1956, the Wheel continued to change. Some thought "Obedience" shouldn't be a spoke, since it wasn't in the same category as the other spokes. Rather, it was the theme of the entire Wheel.

At the same time others realized that another basic element of the Christian life was not included in the Wheel, even though it was being practiced throughout the body of Christ and was found throughout the New Testament--fellowship. So in 1968 "Obedience" was moved to the rim of the Wheel and "Fellowship" replaced it as a spoke.

That leaves us with the Wheel as it is today (illustration 5). And whether it remains in this form, or is eventually changed again, it is a useful way of understanding and remembering the essentials for living the Christian life, just as its forerunners were.

Original title: "The Wheel Was Once a Three-Legged Stool," by Ray King from the January 1975 issue of NavLog.

Only the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan offers special features that will aid you in your journey through the Bible.

• By reading from four separate places in the Scripture every day, you should be able to better grasp the unity of the Scriptures, as well as enjoy the variety of seeing four different viewpoints. You can begin at any point of the year.
• To prevent the frustration of falling behind, which most of us tend to do when following a Bible reading plan, each month of this plan gives you only twenty-five readings. Since you'll have several "free days" each month, you could set aside Sundays to either not read at all or to catch up on any readings you may have missed in the past week.
• If you finish the month's readings by the twenty-fifth, you could use the final days of the month to study the passages that challenged or intrigued you.
• If reading through the entire Bible in one year looms as too large a task, you can alter the plan to meet your needs. For example, you could read the gospels and the wisdom books this year, and the other two categories next year.
  

In the year ahead, ask God each day to speak directly to you from the Scripture portions you read. Be expectant, and let your continual exposure to God's Word reshape your attitudes and behavior as you gain a better understanding of every part of His written testimony to us.

Click below for a downloadable reading plan, and more options from Discipleship Journal:

DJ Bible Reading Program

If you want to memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how, this system is exactly what you need to begin hiding God's word in your heart.

LIVE THE NEW LIFE
Christ the Center	2 Corinthians 5:17	Galatians 2:20
Obedience to Christ	Romans 12:1	John 14:21
The Word	2 Timothy 3:16	Joshua 1:8
Prayer	John 15:7	Philippians 4:6,7
Fellowship	Matthew 18:20	Hebrews 10:24,25
Witnessing	Matthew 4:19	Romans 1:16
PROCLAIM CHRIST
All Have Sinned	Romans 3:23	Isaiah 53:6
Sin's Penalty	Romans 6:23	Hebrews 9:27
Christ Paid the Penalty	Romans 5:8	1 Peter 3:18
Salvation is not by Works	Ephesians 2:8,9	Titus 3:5
Must Receive Christ	John 1:12	Revelation 3:20
Assurance of Salvation	1 John 5:13	John 5:24
RELY ON GOD'S RESOURCES
His Spirit	1 Corinthians 3:16	1 Corinthians 2:12
His Strength	Isaiah 41:10	Philippians 4:13
His Faithfulness	Lamentations 3:22,23	Numbers 23:19
His Peace	Isaiah 26:3	1 Peter 5:7
His Provision	Romans 8:32	Philippians 4:19
His Help in Temptation	Hebrews 2:18	Psalms 119:9,11
BE CHRIST'S DISCIPLE
Put Christ First	Matthew 6:33	Luke 9:23
Separate From the World	1 John 2:15,16	Romans 12:2
Be Steadfast	1 Corinthians 15:58	Hebrews 12:3
Serve Others	Mark 10:45	2 Corinthians 4:5
Give Generously	Proverbs 3:9,10	2 Corinthians 9:6,7
Develop World Vision	Acts 1:8	Matthew 28:19,20
GROW IN CHRISTLIKENESS
Love	John 13:34,35	1 John 3:18
Humility	Philippians 2:3,4	1 Peter 5:5,6
Purity	Ephesians 5:3	1 Peter 2:11
Honesty	Leviticus 19:11	Acts 24:16
Faith	Hebrews 11:6	Romans 4:20,21
Good Works	Galatians 6:9,10	Matthew 5:16

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To order the Topical Memory System:

Basic: Hide God's Word in Your Heart
If you want to memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how, this is exactly what you need. These packages include memory verse cards in four different Bible versions­NIV, KJV, NASB, and NKJV.

Life Issues: Hide God's Word in Your Heart
In the TMS: Life Issues collection, you'll find over 70 passages of Scripture, all dealing with the pressing issues of daily life. By learning how to commit them to memory and reflect on them during times of need, you'll discover within you a new and growing source of strength.