The Bridge Church

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

Dig Deeper:

1. As we wrap up our Summer Road Trip series, what has been your biggest takeaway so far? What has God been revealing to you though this journey?
2. What have you enjoyed most about your summer? Why?
3. Read Acts 1:8. In the beginning of the book of Acts, Jesus gives His church a mission. Describe a recent time when you have been a witness for Jesus to someone else.
4. Read Acts 17:16. Knowing what was mentioned about Athens, what do you think most people were focused was on daily? Why?
5. What similarities might our current culture have with that of Athens?
6. Read Matthew 9:36. Like Jesus, Paul was deeply distressed, or stirred to compassionate grief. What does compassionate grief look like?
7. What is an idol? Provide examples.
8. Describe what it means to see people through the eyes of Christ. What does it mean to truly care for another?
9. Read Acts 17:17. What could have been Paul's response to the lostness in Athens? What does he do instead?
10. Who did Paul try to reach? Why?
11. Read Acts 17:18. Look up Epicureans and Stoics. What do they believe? How can our current culture relate to these beliefs?
12. What is their reaction to Paul? Describe a time when you’ve experienced someone having a similar reaction to a person who is sharing about Jesus to others.
13. Read Acts 17:19. What is the Areopagus? Why did they bring Paul here?
14. Read Acts 17:20-21. How are these groups of people different from other groups Paul has spoken to about Jesus? How are they similar?
15. Read 1 Corinthians 9:22. Describe how Paul, throughout his journeys, has met people at their point of need with the gospel.
16. Read Acts 17:22. What does Paul mean by religious?
17. Read Acts 17:23. What does “unknown God” mean or refer to?
18. Read Acts 17:24-31. What attributes of God does Paul include in his message? Why does he use these particular ones? How does Paul address this audience differently from others?
19. Read through Acts 17:24-31. What words and phrases are used by Paul to communicate that would resonate specifically with this audience?
20. Read Acts 17:32-34. What are the different reactions from the people? What can we learn from these responses?

Live It Out:
This week, find opportunities to:
1. Care. See people through the eyes of Christ. Be deeply distressed and stirred to compassionate grief. Care for someone and, through doing so, show them the love of Jesus.
2. Connect. Meet people where they are. Who is that person in your life who is far from Jesus that you need to meet exactly where they are? How are you able to do so?
3. Communicate. Clearly share the gospel. When given opportunities to share the gospel, consider the best way to communicate it. This does not mean to edit the the truth of the gospel. It means to use language that will clearly share the gospel with the person you are speaking with.
4. Commit. Be faithful and trust God with the results. Pray for one person to intentionally share Jesus with – a neighbor, a coworker, a family member, a friend. What could God do through us all as we share and show the gospel?

Reading Plan:
Monday: Acts 1:8, Acts 17:16, Matthew 9:36
Tuesday: Acts 17:17-21, 1 Corinthians 9:22
Wednesday: Acts 17:22-25
Thursday: Acts 17:26-28
Friday: Acts 17:29-31
Saturday: Acts 17:32-34