How to Build Relational Bridges

Mission doesn’t have to be a big production. You don’t need a stage, microphone, or a big pile of cash! You just need to be willing to ask, ‘Would you like to join me?’

As you go about your daily life - cooking food, completing chores, working on home improvements, walking the dog, running errands, watching your kids, relaxing after work - think about who you could invite to simply join you.

• For Andrew and Peter, the invitation from Jesus was, “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19, NIV).
• Blind Bartimaeus clearly heard something similar. “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mark 10:52, NIV).
• Levi the tax collector was invited with generous simplicity. “‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him” (Luke 5:27-28, NIV).

The initial invitation for each of the disciples was just to join Jesus in what He was already doing.

By inviting them in close, Jesus knew that His message and His mission would have the highest likelihood of being implanted into their hearts and lifestyles. He understood the power of imitation.

Think about how you’ve been discipled. You’ve in effect modeled yourself after others who are further along in faith. You’ve discovered how to live, believe, and behave as a follower of Jesus by imitating those whose example you respect.

Paul put the dynamic like this: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.” (Philippians 4:9, NIV)

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to do the same in our evangelism. Our posture toward those who don’t yet believe should be one of kindness and acceptance, inviting them into our lives. As they come close, they are able to see and experience for themselves the difference that Jesus makes in life, language, and longings.

Relational mission starts where you already are. Let your life be something that others can enter. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because that will never show up! And actually, it’s usually in the ordinary, low key things of life that others will be most impacted for Christ.

When we host gatherings, hang out with lost friends, or invite them into what we’re already doing, we’re not just being friendly or social. We’re intentionally creating space to build connections and see who is spiritually open. When we see that hunger, we can then take steps to walk with people toward Jesus.

Some religious-minded people might criticize us, like they did Jesus, for not starting with condemnation of sin. However, unless we’re willing to accept people where they are today in all their brokenness, addiction, and sin, how will they have the chance to see and experience the grace of God worked out in practice in our lives?

Your Next Steps

1. What’s one everyday activity you could invite someone else into this week?
2. Who would you like to include?
3. What holds you back from inviting them along? Bring that to Jesus in prayer - and ask for the opportunity and the boldness to invite them in!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me while I was so far from You. Please help me to now make that same invitation to the lost around me. I confess my fears or anxieties about doing so [name them specifically]. Please send Your Holy Spirit into me afresh to increase my boldness and love, and also to see where I can invite specific people to draw in closer to witness You alive in me. I’m excited to be on this journey! Amen.