The Bridge Church
God With Us - The Promise
December 10, 2023
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Loneliness is a feeling of separation, isolation, or distance in human relationships
1. God is with us (Immanuel)
2. God is for us (Intercession)
• God’s love isn’t based on our performance, but on our position as His children.
3. God is in us (Indwelling)
Paraclete - Greek: Parakletos – “Our helper, counselor, comforter, advocate”
"…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
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. What traditions do you have for Christmas that make it meaningful to you? How did they begin?
2. Why can holidays feel lonely for some people? How does loneliness creep into our lives any time of the year?
3. Read Isaiah 7:14. How is the Lord giving us a sign?
4. Read Matthew 1:23. What does Immanuel mean? Do you think Joseph, after hearing from the angel, would remember Isaiah’s words? Why or why not?
5. Explain how Jesus is fully God and fully man. What did He experience during His time on this earth? What did He not experience?
6. Jesus knows exactly what it feels like to go through struggle, pain, and loss. How does this help us relate to God?
7. Remembering our recent time in the Book of Revelation, explain why God dwelling among us, on this earth, is so profound.
8. What happens when you “dwell” somewhere? Look up some synonyms to the word “dwell.” What takes place while dwelling?
9. Read Isaiah 61:1-2. What are the different ways that the Lord moves in this passage (i.e. bring good news, heal the brokenhearted, etc.)? Discuss each of them individually. Which one most resonates with you? Why?
10. Read Romans 8:31. If you asked most people how they view God, would this be their response? Why or why not?
11. Read Romans 8:32-34. How is God for us? Does this mean that no one will ever oppose us? If not, what does it mean instead?
12. God’s love isn’t based on our performance, but on our position as His children. How is this truth vital to our relationship with God? How is it counter cultural to our world?
13. How does knowing that God sees you, knows your pain, and is always near to you change your perspective on the trials you face in life?
14. What role does our church community play in helping us reflect God’s love to one another while bearing one another’s burdens? How does this take place?
15. Read John 14:12. What does Jesus mean when He says, “And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father”? How are these greater works able to be done?
16. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of those who believe in Jesus. Reflect and respond to this statement.
17. Read John 14:13. How does the Holy Spirit empower us and strengthen us to do all that God has called us to do?
18. Read John 14:16-17. What significance is there in the fact that “the world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him”? Why is this important to remember?
19. Read Matthew 28:20. Fill in the space and discuss why you chose that response – “If God is with me, then ___________.” Continue to use this phrase to be reminded that He is with us always.
Live It Out:
Read 2 Corinthians 6:16. What a promise that we are never alone! This week, remember that:
1. God is with you. Do you ever feel alone or isolated? How does knowing that, with God, you are never alone? When you do feel alone, what can you do to be reminded of this truth? Worship, pray, and spend time in the Word to keep that reminder going on a consistent basis.
2. God is for you. When you think of God, what is your response? Do you think He is for you? Why or why not? God sacrificed Jesus to save you. Pray to God, thanking Him for this overwhelming decision. Ask Him to continually remind you that He is a good Father, despite what lies the enemy tries to make you believe or what opposition you might face in life. Thank Him that His love isn’t based on performance, but on your position as His child.
3. God is in you. As a follower of Jesus, rely on the Holy Spirit that lives inside of you, the one who “will do even greater works than these.” (John 14:12). We are given a mighty Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Allow this great helper, comforter, and advocate to direct your steps in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
1. What traditions do you have for Christmas that make it meaningful to you? How did they begin?
2. Why can holidays feel lonely for some people? How does loneliness creep into our lives any time of the year?
3. Read Isaiah 7:14. How is the Lord giving us a sign?
4. Read Matthew 1:23. What does Immanuel mean? Do you think Joseph, after hearing from the angel, would remember Isaiah’s words? Why or why not?
5. Explain how Jesus is fully God and fully man. What did He experience during His time on this earth? What did He not experience?
6. Jesus knows exactly what it feels like to go through struggle, pain, and loss. How does this help us relate to God?
7. Remembering our recent time in the Book of Revelation, explain why God dwelling among us, on this earth, is so profound.
8. What happens when you “dwell” somewhere? Look up some synonyms to the word “dwell.” What takes place while dwelling?
9. Read Isaiah 61:1-2. What are the different ways that the Lord moves in this passage (i.e. bring good news, heal the brokenhearted, etc.)? Discuss each of them individually. Which one most resonates with you? Why?
10. Read Romans 8:31. If you asked most people how they view God, would this be their response? Why or why not?
11. Read Romans 8:32-34. How is God for us? Does this mean that no one will ever oppose us? If not, what does it mean instead?
12. God’s love isn’t based on our performance, but on our position as His children. How is this truth vital to our relationship with God? How is it counter cultural to our world?
13. How does knowing that God sees you, knows your pain, and is always near to you change your perspective on the trials you face in life?
14. What role does our church community play in helping us reflect God’s love to one another while bearing one another’s burdens? How does this take place?
15. Read John 14:12. What does Jesus mean when He says, “And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father”? How are these greater works able to be done?
16. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of those who believe in Jesus. Reflect and respond to this statement.
17. Read John 14:13. How does the Holy Spirit empower us and strengthen us to do all that God has called us to do?
18. Read John 14:16-17. What significance is there in the fact that “the world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him”? Why is this important to remember?
19. Read Matthew 28:20. Fill in the space and discuss why you chose that response – “If God is with me, then ___________.” Continue to use this phrase to be reminded that He is with us always.
Live It Out:
Read 2 Corinthians 6:16. What a promise that we are never alone! This week, remember that:
1. God is with you. Do you ever feel alone or isolated? How does knowing that, with God, you are never alone? When you do feel alone, what can you do to be reminded of this truth? Worship, pray, and spend time in the Word to keep that reminder going on a consistent basis.
2. God is for you. When you think of God, what is your response? Do you think He is for you? Why or why not? God sacrificed Jesus to save you. Pray to God, thanking Him for this overwhelming decision. Ask Him to continually remind you that He is a good Father, despite what lies the enemy tries to make you believe or what opposition you might face in life. Thank Him that His love isn’t based on performance, but on your position as His child.
3. God is in you. As a follower of Jesus, rely on the Holy Spirit that lives inside of you, the one who “will do even greater works than these.” (John 14:12). We are given a mighty Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Allow this great helper, comforter, and advocate to direct your steps in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23
Tuesday: John 1:14, Isaiah 61:1-2
Wednesday: Romans 8:31-34
Thursday: John 14:12-17
Friday: 2 Corinthians 6:16, John 14:27
Saturday: Matthew 28:18-20
Monday: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23
Tuesday: John 1:14, Isaiah 61:1-2
Wednesday: Romans 8:31-34
Thursday: John 14:12-17
Friday: 2 Corinthians 6:16, John 14:27
Saturday: Matthew 28:18-20
Additional Resources: