The Bridge Church
Everyday Mission
September 17, 2023
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Our Mission: We exist to help people find and follow Jesus Christ, here and around the world.
How Do We Reach Others?
1. Become aware of people’s receptivity to the gospel
1. Become aware of people’s receptivity to the gospel
Resistant Stage
24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Pray for them
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation. Romans 10:1
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation. Romans 10:1
Receptive Stage
Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Colossians 4:5
Invest in the Relationship
We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8
We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Seeking Stage
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and told him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered. John 1:43-46
“Go out . . . and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. Luke 14:23
Invite them to Church
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and told him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered. John 1:43-46
“Go out . . . and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. Luke 14:23
Invite them to Church
Ready Stage
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
How do we share our Story?
1) Before I became a follower of Christ.
Key Question: What was my life like before I followed Jesus?
2) How I began a relationship with Christ
Key Question: When did I realize I needed Christ?
3) Since I began a relationship with Christ
Key Question: How is He changing Me?
1) Before I became a follower of Christ.
Key Question: What was my life like before I followed Jesus?
2) How I began a relationship with Christ
Key Question: When did I realize I needed Christ?
3) Since I began a relationship with Christ
Key Question: How is He changing Me?
Who do you need to pray, show, and share the love of Christ to this week?
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 serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
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 serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
Dig Deeper:
1. Why is it important to know our mission, as a church, and as followers of Jesus?
2. Have you ever seen someone share about Jesus in a way that was offensive or off putting? How about a way in which someone shared it effectively? What made the difference?
3. Why is sharing our faith scary at times?
4. Does the statistic that Southwest Florida is ranked #34 in the US of unchurched people in America surprise you? Why or why not?
5. Read Romans 1:16. Are all Christians called by God to help find people who need to hear the good news about Jesus?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. Describe the differences types of receptivity people can have toward the gospel (resistant, receptive, seeking, ready). How can you identify each one?
7. What are some ways to help people become more receptive to hearing and understanding the gospel?
8. Read 2 Timothy 2:25-26. How should we approach someone who is resistant to the gospel?
9. Read Colossians 4:3. Why is praying for others a powerful tool in the lives of people who are not yet receptive to the good news?
10. Read Colossians 4:5 and 1 Thessalonians 2:8. What is the best way to reach people who are receptive to hearing the gospel?
11. Read John 1:43-46. For those who are seeking Christ, why is it important to invite them to church where they can experience the love of God?
12. Have you ever invited someone to come to church? Describe the scenario.
13. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20. What does it look like to share your story (how you came to know and follow Christ) with others?
14. Have you every shared your story with someone? Describe the scenario.
15. Read Romans 10:13-15. Discuss the eternal impact of sharing the good news of Jesus with others.
Live It Out:
Who do you need to pray, show, and share the love of Christ to this week? Write down the names of people in your life that are resistant, receptive, seeking, and ready to follow Jesus. Beside their name, write down ways that you can reach them where they are at. Take steps to pray for them, invite them, and share with them the good news of Jesus Christ.
Are you living on mission in your local community? Explore our local mission partners this week by looking at all the opportunities that are available on https://www.thebridgevenice.com/local-missions. Find others to share Jesus with by volunteering your time and talents to one of our local mission partners.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
Tuesday: 2 Timothy 2:25-26
Wednesday: Colossians 4:3, 5
Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 2:8, John 1:43-46
Friday: 2 Corinthians 5:20
Saturday: Romans 10:13-15
1. Why is it important to know our mission, as a church, and as followers of Jesus?
2. Have you ever seen someone share about Jesus in a way that was offensive or off putting? How about a way in which someone shared it effectively? What made the difference?
3. Why is sharing our faith scary at times?
4. Does the statistic that Southwest Florida is ranked #34 in the US of unchurched people in America surprise you? Why or why not?
5. Read Romans 1:16. Are all Christians called by God to help find people who need to hear the good news about Jesus?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. Describe the differences types of receptivity people can have toward the gospel (resistant, receptive, seeking, ready). How can you identify each one?
7. What are some ways to help people become more receptive to hearing and understanding the gospel?
8. Read 2 Timothy 2:25-26. How should we approach someone who is resistant to the gospel?
9. Read Colossians 4:3. Why is praying for others a powerful tool in the lives of people who are not yet receptive to the good news?
10. Read Colossians 4:5 and 1 Thessalonians 2:8. What is the best way to reach people who are receptive to hearing the gospel?
11. Read John 1:43-46. For those who are seeking Christ, why is it important to invite them to church where they can experience the love of God?
12. Have you ever invited someone to come to church? Describe the scenario.
13. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20. What does it look like to share your story (how you came to know and follow Christ) with others?
14. Have you every shared your story with someone? Describe the scenario.
15. Read Romans 10:13-15. Discuss the eternal impact of sharing the good news of Jesus with others.
Live It Out:
Who do you need to pray, show, and share the love of Christ to this week? Write down the names of people in your life that are resistant, receptive, seeking, and ready to follow Jesus. Beside their name, write down ways that you can reach them where they are at. Take steps to pray for them, invite them, and share with them the good news of Jesus Christ.
Are you living on mission in your local community? Explore our local mission partners this week by looking at all the opportunities that are available on https://www.thebridgevenice.com/local-missions. Find others to share Jesus with by volunteering your time and talents to one of our local mission partners.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
Tuesday: 2 Timothy 2:25-26
Wednesday: Colossians 4:3, 5
Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 2:8, John 1:43-46
Friday: 2 Corinthians 5:20
Saturday: Romans 10:13-15