MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time

I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups

I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

Dig Deeper:
1. Do you tend to be a loner or are you automatically drawn to spend time with others?
2. Think of your closest friends and family. Describe the characteristics of the kind of support you have from them. What impact does that have in your life?
3. Why do you think God designed us to be in relationship with others?
4. Read Ephesians 2:19. As a family, what kinds of relationships do you think we should seek to have within our church family?
5. Does knowing that you are part of God’s family change your view of being committed to it? If so, why? How is a family member different than a friend?
6. What are the toughest obstacles to committing to community for people in our culture? What are common reasons people give that keeps them from connecting in community?
7. Read Colossians 3:12-16. Describe ways that biblical community looks different than just being friends with someone.
8. Read Colossians 3:12. Why is it challenging at times to extend mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to others?
9. Read Colossians 3:13. God designed us for relationships, but He also uses relationship to transform us. How hard is it to “forgive anyone who offends you”?
10. Are you currently withholding forgiveness to someone else, and it is hindering your ability to live in community with others? What steps can you take today to move toward forgiveness? We connect relationally with others in biblical community.
11. Read Acts 11:21-24. Sometimes people who need encouragement are the ones you think need it the least. Identify at least one person who needs encouragement from you, and be their Barnabas.
12. Read Colossians 3:16. How important is transparency in building relationships with others? How can transparency be freeing?
13. What are ways to deepen a relationship with another person?
14. Do you have to agree on everything in order to be close to someone else? What are healthy tools to navigate disagreements?
15. Read Proverbs 27:17. What does it mean when it says “iron sharpens iron”? How is speaking the truth in love different than trying to control someone else? What does healthy accountability in relationships look like? 16. Think about a time when you grew the most spiritually. Were you in isolation during that time or did it involve people that were walking with you?
17. Read John 17:23. We see community happen when Christ followers are unified on mission. While we benefit greatly from them, our relationships are ultimately not about us. We should always be pointing others back to Jesus in all we do. How can your relationships point others to Him?
18. Life change happens best when we move out of rows and into circles. If you are in a small group, describe the impact it has made in your life and your walk with Jesus.
19. If you are not in a small group, what is hindering you from taking that next step? You may be one community away from God transforming your life.

Reading Plan:
Monday: Matthew 12:46-50, Acts 2:42-47
Tuesday: Romans 12:9-18
Wednesday: Ephesians 4
Thursday: Galatians 6:1-10
Friday: James 5:12-20
Saturday: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12