The Bridge Church
Summer Road Trip - Week 5 - Fight the Good Fight
June 29, 2025
Locations & Times
Bridge Church
2410 N River Rd, Venice, FL 34292, USA
Sunday 7:45 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:15 AM
Fighting and arguing for the sake of fighting and arguing is sinful.
Fighting over non-essential preferences damages unity and grieves the Holy Spirit.
1. Stand Firm: When the gospel is at stake, we stand on truth
2. Share Grace: Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus
Jesus + anything = false gospel
3. Seek Wisdom: Obey God's Word Graciously
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. When conflict or tension arises, what is your usual response? Why?
2. What typically causes conflict? Why?
3. Read Acts 14:27. What conflict or tension have we seen so far on Paul’s missionary journeys? Who were they between? How has the Church grown during this time?
4. Read Acts 15:1. Who were the men from Judea? Who were they teaching? What were they teaching?
5. Read Acts 15:2. What might Paul and Barnabas have said during the “serious argument and debate”?
6. Is conflict unavoidable? Why or why not?
7. Is there a right time to debate? If so, when is it?
8. Are preferences wrong? Why or why not? When can preferences be hurtful?
9. Read Acts 15:4-5. Why do you think Pharisees would see the need for Gentiles to be circumcised? Why would it upset them if the Gentiles were not circumcised?
10. Why were they wrong in believing this and sharing it with new believers?
11. Read Colossians 2:8. Why is biblical doctrine (or what the Bible says) deeply important for the Church in every generation?
12. Describe a time when you disagreed with someone for the sake of the gospel.
13. Read Acts 15:7-9. Restate what Peter is saying to them in this passage.
14. Read Acts 15:10-11. What does it mean to put a yoke on their necks?
15. What other “religious weight” were the Pharisees still carrying? Why did none of these religious practices lead to salvation?
16. Read Matthew 11:28-30. What were the original hearers of these words from Jesus experiencing during this time? How do these words still apply to us today?
17. How is a yoke a symbol of partnership? Describe how Jesus’s yoke is easy.
18. How is this teaching of Jesus different than other world religions?
19. Jesus + anything = false gospel. Fill in the word “anything” with some false teachings you have experienced or heard about.
20. Read Acts 15:12. What did Barnabus and Paul share with them that led them to be silent and listen? What could have been shared instead?
21. Describe a time in your own life when you have either experienced or witnessed life change by someone sharing “signs and wonders God had done.”
22. Read Acts 15:15-18. Who is speaking at this time? Why does that person’s words have weight? What passage of scripture is he quoting?
23. Why is it vital to search for truth in God’s Word alone?
24. Read Acts 15:19-20. Rephrase what James is sharing here.
25. How can James’ words then apply to our circumstances now? What should we be focused on?
26. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Describe the time when you understood that salvation wasn’t something you could produce or earn and how it changed your life.
Live It Out:
How can a church remain unified on the gospel? When we face disagreement, we are to wisely respond with grace and truth. We are not called to be angry people when we face disagreements. God’s Word tells us to be angry without sin. How is this possible? It’s the gospel that unites us!
Stand firm. When the gospel is at stake, stand firm on the truth. In the days ahead, stand firm on truth. Stand firm in a loving way, sharing and showing the love of Jesus Christ to others and inviting them to learn about truth through His Word.
Share grace. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. Is there someone in your life who you need to extend grace to? Why is it hard for you to do so? Pray to God, asking Him to soften you heart and lead you to love like Jesus does. If there are any preferences will need to lay aside to help you do so, bring those to Him. Prepare a plan to show extended grace.
Seek wisdom. Obey God’s Word graciously. Jesus + anything = false wisdom. Is there anything you are intentionally, or unintentionally, adding to gospel? Spend time with God’s Word, seeking true wisdom in order to stay far away from false wisdom.
1. When conflict or tension arises, what is your usual response? Why?
2. What typically causes conflict? Why?
3. Read Acts 14:27. What conflict or tension have we seen so far on Paul’s missionary journeys? Who were they between? How has the Church grown during this time?
4. Read Acts 15:1. Who were the men from Judea? Who were they teaching? What were they teaching?
5. Read Acts 15:2. What might Paul and Barnabas have said during the “serious argument and debate”?
6. Is conflict unavoidable? Why or why not?
7. Is there a right time to debate? If so, when is it?
8. Are preferences wrong? Why or why not? When can preferences be hurtful?
9. Read Acts 15:4-5. Why do you think Pharisees would see the need for Gentiles to be circumcised? Why would it upset them if the Gentiles were not circumcised?
10. Why were they wrong in believing this and sharing it with new believers?
11. Read Colossians 2:8. Why is biblical doctrine (or what the Bible says) deeply important for the Church in every generation?
12. Describe a time when you disagreed with someone for the sake of the gospel.
13. Read Acts 15:7-9. Restate what Peter is saying to them in this passage.
14. Read Acts 15:10-11. What does it mean to put a yoke on their necks?
15. What other “religious weight” were the Pharisees still carrying? Why did none of these religious practices lead to salvation?
16. Read Matthew 11:28-30. What were the original hearers of these words from Jesus experiencing during this time? How do these words still apply to us today?
17. How is a yoke a symbol of partnership? Describe how Jesus’s yoke is easy.
18. How is this teaching of Jesus different than other world religions?
19. Jesus + anything = false gospel. Fill in the word “anything” with some false teachings you have experienced or heard about.
20. Read Acts 15:12. What did Barnabus and Paul share with them that led them to be silent and listen? What could have been shared instead?
21. Describe a time in your own life when you have either experienced or witnessed life change by someone sharing “signs and wonders God had done.”
22. Read Acts 15:15-18. Who is speaking at this time? Why does that person’s words have weight? What passage of scripture is he quoting?
23. Why is it vital to search for truth in God’s Word alone?
24. Read Acts 15:19-20. Rephrase what James is sharing here.
25. How can James’ words then apply to our circumstances now? What should we be focused on?
26. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Describe the time when you understood that salvation wasn’t something you could produce or earn and how it changed your life.
Live It Out:
How can a church remain unified on the gospel? When we face disagreement, we are to wisely respond with grace and truth. We are not called to be angry people when we face disagreements. God’s Word tells us to be angry without sin. How is this possible? It’s the gospel that unites us!
Stand firm. When the gospel is at stake, stand firm on the truth. In the days ahead, stand firm on truth. Stand firm in a loving way, sharing and showing the love of Jesus Christ to others and inviting them to learn about truth through His Word.
Share grace. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus. Is there someone in your life who you need to extend grace to? Why is it hard for you to do so? Pray to God, asking Him to soften you heart and lead you to love like Jesus does. If there are any preferences will need to lay aside to help you do so, bring those to Him. Prepare a plan to show extended grace.
Seek wisdom. Obey God’s Word graciously. Jesus + anything = false wisdom. Is there anything you are intentionally, or unintentionally, adding to gospel? Spend time with God’s Word, seeking true wisdom in order to stay far away from false wisdom.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Acts 15:1-2
Tuesday: Acts 15:4-6, Colossians 2:8
Wednesday: Acts 15:7-11, Matthew 11:28-30
Thursday: Acts 15:12-18
Friday: Acts 15:19-20
Saturday: Ephesians 2:8-9
Monday: Acts 15:1-2
Tuesday: Acts 15:4-6, Colossians 2:8
Wednesday: Acts 15:7-11, Matthew 11:28-30
Thursday: Acts 15:12-18
Friday: Acts 15:19-20
Saturday: Ephesians 2:8-9