The Bridge Church
The Way Forward - Room for More - Week 2
February 26, 2023
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
A healthy church has a heart for people who are far from God.
1. The Gospel is for bad people, even the worst of people.
Zacchaeus' name means "righteous one" or "pure"
2. A real encounter with Jesus results in life change (repentance).
3. It is the mission of the church to continue the mission of Jesus.
Changed Lives = Generous Lives
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
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. Should we be focused on what matters to God? Why? What is the one thing that matters most to God?
2. Growing up, did you hear the story of Zacchaeus? What do you know/remember about this story?
3. Have you, or someone you know, ever been far from God? How does that feel?
4. Read Luke 19:1-2. How is Zacchaeus’s job, wealth, and where he lives an important part of this story?
5. Read Luke 19:3-5. Describe the interaction between Jesus and Zacchaeus. Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus? Why do you think Jesus wants to see Zacchaeus?
6. How do you think Zacchaeus felt after his first interaction with Jesus?
7. Read Luke 19:6-7. The people of Jericho knew that Zacchaeus was a sinful man. How do they respond to this interaction? Why does it bother them that Jesus was going to eat with him?
8. Zacchaeus means “righteous one” or “pure”. Was Zacchaeus living up to his name? How do you think his parents felt about their son’s actions and occupation?
9. Read Luke 5:27-32. How is the story of Matthew similar to the story of Zacchaeus?
10. Have you ever heard the phrase “good people go to Heaven”? How does the Bible prove that this statement is completely false? Describe the difference between “good people” and “forgiven people”.
11. We are called to share, love, and spend time with people who are far from God. How can this be a part of our daily lives? How can we engage in reaching those who are “lost”?
12. Read Luke 19:8. What life change happens in Zacchaeus’s life? Why is his generosity so significant?
13. If Christ’s love truly compels us, it will be reflected in our devotion to Him. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we will become more generous. What do you think of this statement? How has this been reflected in your life?
14. What impact would Zacchaeus paying back what he stole have on the people of Jericho? What impact could your generosity have on people both in our area, and around the world?
15. Define “repent”. Why is repentance so vital to our relationship with Jesus? Why do we continue to repent to Jesus as we are walking with Him?
16. Read Luke 19:9-10. Who is doing the seeking and the saving here? Why is recognizing this important to what happens?
17. Someday we will face Jesus and give an account for how we used our life. On that day, what do you think will be the main things that Jesus wanted us to focus on? How would you evaluate how well you’ve kept the main thing the main thing?
18. The Bridge Church has experienced major growth in the last several years. Why do you think this has occurred? What have you noticed, experienced, or heard from others that helps you identify the reasons that we are reaching more people?
Live It Out:
1. The Gospel is for bad people, even the worst of people. As we grow as Christ-followers, we are called to share, love and spend time with people who are far from God. Jesus spent significant time of His ministry with people who the culture considered the lost, last and outcasts. Who in your life needs the genuine love of God? Who in your life is far from God that needs Him?
2. It is the mission of the church to continue the mission of Jesus. We need to make room for more. People matter to God, so they matter to us. Will you prayerfully consider making a generous, sacrificial gift to make room for one more?
Reading Plan:
Monday: Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday: Luke 5:27-28
Wednesday: John 3:16, Galatians 2:16
Thursday: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Friday: Acts 4:5-12
Saturday: Matthew 9:9-13
1. Should we be focused on what matters to God? Why? What is the one thing that matters most to God?
2. Growing up, did you hear the story of Zacchaeus? What do you know/remember about this story?
3. Have you, or someone you know, ever been far from God? How does that feel?
4. Read Luke 19:1-2. How is Zacchaeus’s job, wealth, and where he lives an important part of this story?
5. Read Luke 19:3-5. Describe the interaction between Jesus and Zacchaeus. Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus? Why do you think Jesus wants to see Zacchaeus?
6. How do you think Zacchaeus felt after his first interaction with Jesus?
7. Read Luke 19:6-7. The people of Jericho knew that Zacchaeus was a sinful man. How do they respond to this interaction? Why does it bother them that Jesus was going to eat with him?
8. Zacchaeus means “righteous one” or “pure”. Was Zacchaeus living up to his name? How do you think his parents felt about their son’s actions and occupation?
9. Read Luke 5:27-32. How is the story of Matthew similar to the story of Zacchaeus?
10. Have you ever heard the phrase “good people go to Heaven”? How does the Bible prove that this statement is completely false? Describe the difference between “good people” and “forgiven people”.
11. We are called to share, love, and spend time with people who are far from God. How can this be a part of our daily lives? How can we engage in reaching those who are “lost”?
12. Read Luke 19:8. What life change happens in Zacchaeus’s life? Why is his generosity so significant?
13. If Christ’s love truly compels us, it will be reflected in our devotion to Him. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we will become more generous. What do you think of this statement? How has this been reflected in your life?
14. What impact would Zacchaeus paying back what he stole have on the people of Jericho? What impact could your generosity have on people both in our area, and around the world?
15. Define “repent”. Why is repentance so vital to our relationship with Jesus? Why do we continue to repent to Jesus as we are walking with Him?
16. Read Luke 19:9-10. Who is doing the seeking and the saving here? Why is recognizing this important to what happens?
17. Someday we will face Jesus and give an account for how we used our life. On that day, what do you think will be the main things that Jesus wanted us to focus on? How would you evaluate how well you’ve kept the main thing the main thing?
18. The Bridge Church has experienced major growth in the last several years. Why do you think this has occurred? What have you noticed, experienced, or heard from others that helps you identify the reasons that we are reaching more people?
Live It Out:
1. The Gospel is for bad people, even the worst of people. As we grow as Christ-followers, we are called to share, love and spend time with people who are far from God. Jesus spent significant time of His ministry with people who the culture considered the lost, last and outcasts. Who in your life needs the genuine love of God? Who in your life is far from God that needs Him?
2. It is the mission of the church to continue the mission of Jesus. We need to make room for more. People matter to God, so they matter to us. Will you prayerfully consider making a generous, sacrificial gift to make room for one more?
Reading Plan:
Monday: Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday: Luke 5:27-28
Wednesday: John 3:16, Galatians 2:16
Thursday: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Friday: Acts 4:5-12
Saturday: Matthew 9:9-13