The Bridge Church

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. Did you have encounters this past week in relation to last week’s message on “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing”?
2. What is the definition of grace in general? What about the grace of God? Why could it be said that grace is a “scandalous concept”?
3. How is the idea of grace so different from what our culture/world tells us?
4. Read Luke 23:32-33. Discuss the significance of Jesus being not only crucified, but crucified with two criminals.
5. Read Luke 23:39-41. Discuss the differences between these two responses. Describe a time when you have responded to God as the first criminal did, and then also a time when you have responded like the second criminal did. What did the second criminal recognize that the first one did not?
6. How does recognizing our desperate need for grace play a big part in receiving grace?
7. Does considering oneself a “good person” lead us to experiencing the grace of God? Why or why not?
8. Read Luke 23:42-43. Describe what the criminal does in this passage. Describe what Jesus does in this passage.
9. What might a person say in regard to “fairness” based on this scenario on the cross that is played out? List the reasons why people might disagree with what happens, and then discuss why the gospel message negates all those reasons. Read Romans 11:6. How does this passage relate to the idea of “fairness”?
10. Read Luke 15:11-32. How does the parable of the lost son relate to Jesus’s invitation to the criminal?
11. Read Matthew 20: 1-16. How does the parable of the vineyard workers relate to Jesus’s invitation to the criminal?
12. How are you different from the criminal that Jesus provides a personal invitation to? How are you similar?
13. How is the cross not a reminder of our guilt, but instead the greatest proof of our value? How does that knowledge help you deepen your relationship with God?

Live It Out:

Grace. We all need it, we’ll never deserve it, and we can never outrun it. How will you respond to the grace of God?

There were two men crucified with Jesus, but only one was invited to paradise. It wasn’t because he was good, or less evil than the other. It was simply because he recognized he needed Jesus, and turned to Him.

1. Which criminal will you choose to be? The one deflecting blame? Blaming God himself? In a posture of “you owe me, do something, prove you’re a good God”? Or will you be the humble criminal that recognizes your depravity apart from God, your desperate need for his grace, your complete lack of deserving that grace, and turn toward a merciful, loving savior?

2. We all need the love of Jesus in our life. Maybe you’re walking closely with God, and you’re well aware of what he did for you. There are people in your life who don’t know it or who don’t believe it, though. Make it your mission to show them the love that Jesus has for them. Invite them to join you for Easter or invite them to come over for dinner. Share the gospel with them, and help them understand how to receive His grace.

Reading Plan:
Monday: Luke 23:32-33, 39-43
Tuesday: Romans 11:1-6, 3:20-24, 5:8
Wednesday: Luke 15:11-32
Thursday: Matthew 20:1-16
Friday: Matthew 20: 17-28
Saturday: 2 Timothy 1:8-12, Ephesians 2:8-9