The Bridge Church
Serving is Leading
March 13, 2022
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
1. There will be growing pains as the church grows
2. Keep the main thing, the main thing
Prayer & the ministry of the Word must be prioritized
Pastor/Elder: leads through meeting the spiritual needs, overseeing, shepherding, equipping the saints through ministry of prayer and the Word
Deacon: leads through serving the practical, physical ministry needs of the congregation
Deacon: leads through serving the practical, physical ministry needs of the congregation
3. Shared ministry multiplies leaders and keeps the main thing, the main thing
“There is an inseparable link between the labor of a deacon and the flourishing of the Word. Public ministry is impossible without private service. Had the seven not freed the apostles to focus on teaching and prayer, the Gospel would not have spread.”- Smethurst
Begin serving
If you already serve, multiply yourself
Do you know Jesus? Embrace Jesus as Savior
If you already serve, multiply yourself
Do you know Jesus? Embrace Jesus as Savior
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time
I need to be baptized on April 3
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point on March 20
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/small-groups
I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time
I need to be baptized on April 3
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point on March 20
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/small-groups
I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
Dig Deeper
1. How is leadership defined in our world? In the workplace? In popular culture?
2. How is serving as a leader similar or different from how the world identifies leaders?
3. What does this passage teach about church growth? How should we view it?
4. How did the apostles show they cared for widows when the complaint arose?
5. How was the unity of the church threatened?
6. Why must prayer and the ministry of the Word be prioritized in the church?
7. How did these seven men assist the apostles? How was their role similar to that of deacons today?
8. What does it mean to have shared ministry in a local church?
9. On which do you prefer your local church to focus: management or mission? Explain?
10. What is your reaction to the conversion of these priests? How should it impact your church’s outreach to unbelievers?
11. What does this passage teach about appointing leaders in the local church?
12. Why is it so important for people to serve at their local church? Who does it benefit? How does it advance God’s kingdom?
13. What do you feel are your talents when it comes to serving faithfully? Consider taking a spiritual gifts test via The Bridge Church’s website (found under Resources).
14. Pause and pray for the unity of your local church, asking God to advance the gospel through it.
Reading Plan
Monday – Acts 6:1-7
Tuesday – Matthew 25:35-40
Wednesday – Luke 14:12-14; 1 Chronicles 28:9
Thursday – Galatians 5:13-15
Friday – John 16
Saturday – Colossians 3:23-24; Romans 12:10-11
Suggested Resources
“Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Acts,” Tony Merida
“The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Acts: Put Your Faith Where the Action Is,” Warren W. Wiersbe
1. How is leadership defined in our world? In the workplace? In popular culture?
2. How is serving as a leader similar or different from how the world identifies leaders?
3. What does this passage teach about church growth? How should we view it?
4. How did the apostles show they cared for widows when the complaint arose?
5. How was the unity of the church threatened?
6. Why must prayer and the ministry of the Word be prioritized in the church?
7. How did these seven men assist the apostles? How was their role similar to that of deacons today?
8. What does it mean to have shared ministry in a local church?
9. On which do you prefer your local church to focus: management or mission? Explain?
10. What is your reaction to the conversion of these priests? How should it impact your church’s outreach to unbelievers?
11. What does this passage teach about appointing leaders in the local church?
12. Why is it so important for people to serve at their local church? Who does it benefit? How does it advance God’s kingdom?
13. What do you feel are your talents when it comes to serving faithfully? Consider taking a spiritual gifts test via The Bridge Church’s website (found under Resources).
14. Pause and pray for the unity of your local church, asking God to advance the gospel through it.
Reading Plan
Monday – Acts 6:1-7
Tuesday – Matthew 25:35-40
Wednesday – Luke 14:12-14; 1 Chronicles 28:9
Thursday – Galatians 5:13-15
Friday – John 16
Saturday – Colossians 3:23-24; Romans 12:10-11
Suggested Resources
“Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Acts,” Tony Merida
“The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Acts: Put Your Faith Where the Action Is,” Warren W. Wiersbe