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

Where do you need to practice intentional living with those in your community?

Dig Deeper:
1. Did you have a favorite toy growing up? What was it? Why was it your favorite?
2. Do you have a favorite food? Why is it your favorite?
3. Why are we prone to favoritism?
4. Read James 2:1-4. Have you ever gone somewhere and felt judged? Explain the scenario.
5. Why is it important that we evaluate how we see people, not just at church but in general?
6. Why is favoritism ungodly? How do we base a person’s soul on the world’s standards rather than God’s standards? What about our culture helps us do so?
7. Read James 2:5-9. Why did Jesus spend a lot of time with those who were poor and powerless? How did humility play a part in who Jesus surrounded himself with?
8. Read James 2:8. What does it mean to “love your neighbor as yourself”? Who is your neighbor?
9. When we are “called out” about something, why do we try to justify our actions instead of humbly admitting our need to change? Where does this defensiveness originate from?
10. Is it possible for a person to never in their life show favoritism? What are subtle ways in which we might show favoritism without even recognizing we are doing so?
11. Read James 2:10-13. How can we fight against the temptation of favoritism and develop a habit of seeing people the way God sees people?
12. What does it mean to repent?
13. Why should repentance be a regular pattern for every follower of Jesus? How is repentance important to our relationship with God?
14. How is it easy to “hit the snooze button” in our life? Why do we gravitate towards simple or familiar?
15. How can we be more intentional about opening our eyes to the people God puts around us?

Live It Out:

Protect your heart. Do you have a pattern of repentance in your heart? If not, examine why. Pray that God will move in your heart so that repentance becomes a regular pattern in your faith walk. Live out repentance this week as you spend time with God and others in community. Confess to God, and others in your trusted community, areas where you need to stop, confess you were going in the wrong direction, and turn back toward God and His Word.

Practice intentional living. God has you right where you are for a reason. Where has God placed you to be on mission for His kingdom? Who has he put in your life that He wants you to share with them the Good News of Jesus? Where do you need to practice intentional living with those in your community? The world we live in is full of broken people who need mercy and grace. How can you see people the way Jesus sees people? As you go through your week, identify the people you encounter on a daily basis. How do you engage with them? How can you change your approach to be more available for God to move?

Reading Plan:
Monday: James 2
Tuesday: Luke 10
Wednesday: Mark 10
Thursday: Romans 2:1-11
Friday: Acts 10:34-43
Saturday: Deuteronomy 10: 12-22