MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390

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. What do you look for in a friend?
2. Do you have friends that you’ve known for a long time? If so, what keeps your friendship going?
3. Is it easier to be friends with someone that shares a hobby or interest with you? Is that necessary to maintain a friendship?
4. How does the Trinity help us understand why we are designed for relationships?
5. Read Romans 12:10a. What does it mean to love deeply? How is loving someone like a brother or a sister different than caring for a friend?
6. How is this deep love that is described produced? Is it contingent on our actions or performance…or how good of a friend we are?
7. Read Romans 12:10b. Giving honor to someone is to give them value. Describe a time when someone made you feel valued.
8. How can we “take the lead” in honoring one another?
9. Read John 13:34-35. Others knows that we love Jesus by how we love one another. Describe a time when you have seen or experienced someone witness (and been changed) by love displayed like this.
10. Read Romans 12:11. What does selflessness have to do with being “fervent in the Spirit”?
11. Diligence in zeal is the idea of being passionate for God by serving others. We are never more like Jesus than when we serve others. How have you seen this displayed recently?
12. Read Romans 12:12, 15. How are we called to support each other? Break down each one – rejoicing in hope, being patient in affliction, being persistent in prayer, and rejoicing and weeping with others. Discuss tangible ways that each one can be displayed through friendship.
13. Read Proverbs 17:17. Have you had a friend who “walks in when everyone else walks out”? Describe how that relationship came to be or how it has been strengthened by living out Romans 12:12, 15.
14. Read Romans 12:13. Hospitality is at the very heart of God. Share a time when you’ve experienced “gospel hospitality.”
15. Read Romans 12:16. Does living in harmony mean never experiencing conflict? Why or why not? Based on this passage, how can you live in harmony despite conflict?
16. How is connecting people to God an important aspect of friendship?
17. Discuss how Jesus’s relationship with us, and others, is the ultimate example of friendship. Provide examples of how He love deeply, serve others selflessly, supports faithfully, is hospitable, pursues harmony, and is patient and loving?

Live It Out:

What is one step you can take this week to deepen your relationships in biblical community?

1. If you are not in a small group, sign up for GroupLink. We want to see every person a part of The Bridge Church to be connected relationally in biblical community. If you are not yet in a small group, use the link below to sign up for GroupLink so we can help connect you into community with a small group this fall.

2. Love like Jesus. Looking back at question 17, write out how you can love like Jesus. How can you love more deeply, serve others selflessly, support others faithfully, be hospitable, pursue harmony, and be more patient? Write down certain relationships that come to mind and areas where you can grow. Pray to God for Him to do a mighty work in your heart and in your relationships.

3. Invite others into a relationship with Jesus. Who do you know that doesn’t have a relationship with God? What is one act of friendship that you can show this week as a way of showing God’s love to that individual?

Reading Plan:
Monday: Romans 12:10-12
Tuesday: Romans 12:13-14
Wednesday: Romans 12:15-16
Thursday: John 13:34-35, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Friday: Proverbs 17:17, Romans 15:7
Saturday: Philippians 2:3, John 15:12-13