Beginnings of Witness

Early Tegel, Spring 1943

Context

In May 1943 — weeks after his April 5 arrest in the Abwehr investigation — Bonhoeffer sits in Tegel Military Prison in Berlin. He is in a single cell under military justice; letters arrive about every ten days; books and parcels are permitted; he finds small ways to pastor fellow prisoners. Germany reels from Stalingrad as Allied bombing of Berlin intensifies — yet the regime holds. These first months set a pattern of steady correspondence, Scripture, and care for others.

Opening reflection

Witness often begins quietly — bread passed through a wall: a letter, a prayer, a steady tone that keeps someone else from sinking.

Commentary

In these first months at Tegel, nothing looks dramatic. The day is mostly waiting — for mail call, for books, for the clatter of footsteps in the corridor. Yet the early letters already show the shape of Christian witness. Bonhoeffer refuses to narrate himself as the center. He writes to steady other people — parents, friends, colleagues — so that they do not sink. He interprets his experience through Scripture without sentimentality, and he keeps humor alive where he can. Notice how concrete this is: no grand theories. He passes “bread through a wall” — a few lines of news, a blessing, a promise to pray. If we expect faithfulness to feel epic, these letters correct us. The beginnings of resistance are ordinary, repeatable, faithful. That is precisely why they are powerful: anyone can do this. When circumstances strip us of big choices, we still get to choose attention, steadiness, and care for the people God has given us. That is witness — quiet, durable, contagious.

Primary readings

Letters & Papers — To Karl & Paula Bonhoeffer, 15 May 1943
Letters & Papers — To Karl & Paula Bonhoeffer, 14 Apr 1943

Head • Heart • Hands

Head

What do these early letters assume about Christian community — and what do they refuse to dramatize?
Where do you see Scripture shaping his tone (without clichés)?

Heart

Which single sentence felt like “bread through a wall” for you today — and why?
Tell a time someone’s steadiness carried you — or you carried someone.

Hands (choose 1 Baseline + 1 Stretch; set a deadline before you leave)

Baselines

Bread Through a Wall x2 this week — one handwritten note and one 10‑minute phone check‑in to two different people under strain; include one specific blessing or prayer line.
Care Block — schedule two 15‑minute blocks to intercede for specific people and send one follow‑up text each time.

Stretches

Practical Mercy — offer one concrete help (ride, meal, childcare, admin task) to a person you contacted; put a date on the calendar.
Reconciler — begin a repair step with someone you’ve avoided: send the first message and propose a short, low‑stakes conversation.

Commitment Card — Session 1

My Baseline: ☐ Bread Through a Wall x2 ☐ Care Block
My Stretch: ☐ Practical Mercy ☐ Reconciler
Person(s): ______________________________
Date & time I will do this: _______________
Partner: __________ • Check‑in: ______
Notes: __________________________________ 72‑hour rule: My first step happens within 72 hours. ☐ Reminder set

Baseline templates — Session 1

Handwritten note

Hey [Name] — you were on my mind today. I’m asking God to [simple blessing: “give you rest tonight,” “steady you at work,” “bring a friend alongside”]. If a small thing would help this week, tell me. I’m with you.

10‑minute phone check‑in

“I’ve got 10 minutes and wanted to hear how this week is really going. If a small thing would help, say it and I’ll see what I can do.”

Care Block — two 15‑minute slots

Set timer for 15 minutes. Pray by name for 3 people, one sentence each.