Building Bridges
Series: What’s Next?
May 22, 2022

PRAY

MAPS: Incredible story of how the Gospel Spread!
JESUS: 90 miles from Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea (almost exactly the distance from GR to Baldwin)
Incredible spread of the Gospel. No modern transit. No modern communications. Obstacles and barriers along the way. Shipwrecks. Bandits. Weather. Treacherous landscape. Spread like wildfire!
HOW DID THEY DO IT? THEY BRIDGED THE GAP!

MAIN IDEA: We are bridges to bring God’s love to a lost world.

Becoming the Bridge
 The Holy Spirit is at work on their side of the bridge. (1-8)

 We must seek the Father’s heart on our side of the bridge (9-16)

 We need to make space and be ready to cross over ( 17-23)



What Can We Do?
  Foster existing connections

 Create common spaces

 Be bold with opportunities



“Building Bridges” Guidebook
Training Videos
Events




Discussion Questions:
Pick up the story of Peter and the Gentiles in Acts 10:34-48 (take turns reading). Question: How hard did Peter have to work to convince the people to receive the Good News? Who did all the work? What had to change so that Peter could be used to “bridge the gap.”
Talk about the work the Holy Spirit does throughout Acts 10 to help bring the Good News to the Gentiles. What does this tell us about the work of the Holy Spirit? What does this tell us about ourselves?
Spend some time together praying, seeking the Lord’s heart for the lost:
As you pray, focus not on getting through a “list,” but on hosting the Presence.
Have Acts 10 (or another relevant passage) open as you pray and meditate.
Really listen and ask the Lord to show you how He wants you to pray and pray into that.
If you feel the Holy Spirit gives you a word for the group, please share it.
Following the previous sermon (“You’re In Search and Rescue,” May 12, 2022), the discussion time encouraged you to think strategically about what you could do as a small group to build bridges in the community. Take some time, refine the discussion and, as a group, see if you can turn those basic ideas into an actual plan.


Evangelism Summer
2022

MAIN IDEA: Community Groups are called to be Kingdom “Search & Rescue” units.

Acts 19:1-10 (NKJV)
 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.


Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
And [Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry






Conversation
Have you ever had a chance to share the Gospel with a person? If so, what was it like? If not, do you want to?

On a scale of 1-10, how equipped do you feel to share the Gospel? Explain your answer.

What is one thing the church can do to help you step out and share your faith?



EXERCISE: Confessing the Truth
I am salt and light in the world

We are in this together

Jesus is tangibly present when we gather



Commissioned: Search & Rescue
COMMIT together

PRAY together

PLAN together

IMPLEMENT together



Discussion Questions:
Revisit the two passages. In what way did Paul “equip the people” to do the ministry? How effectively did they minister?
As a community group, talk about what it would look like for your group to take up the outreach challenge that Adam and Zach talked about. What are some ideas you could implement as a group?
Take narrow down some of your ideas and pick one or two. How could you contribute to this happening?
Before heading out, spend some time praying and listening to the Holy Spirit. Are there any other ideas that emerge?
Please SHARE what you come up with with Pastor Larry ([email protected]). We want to help you any way we can.

Evangelism Summer
2022

“Building Bridges” Guidebook 
 This guide will give you, your family and your community group some practical ideas for building bridges with people who are not walking with Jesus. We would encourage you to check out this resource, discuss it in your groups or around the dinner table. Find another friend or two and try something out! This guidebook can be a great reference for you as you seek to grow in your own faith and help build a culture of mission in our community. (Available June 5, 2022)


How to Use These Videos
Each video can be used by individuals or small groups, but the best learning will happen with other people (even one other person). They can be used for devotions, at the dinner table, or in discussion with your community group. Each one will walk you through a step-by-step process of learning and practicing the skills. Our suggestion is to watch one of the videos, following the steps laid out along the way. Find one other person who has a fire burning in their hearts, learn together, and take a step of faith.

Events
 Additionally, this summer we will have 2-3 events that everyone is invited to support. These events will be a more “public” experience of shining our light. We will have the following events:
Encounter Nights: We will be having 2-3 “encounter nights,” giving people an opportunity to encounter our community and, even more importantly, God’s presence. We will hold these in a local park. The SOZO team will be leading in a night of worship. Before the music starts, we’ll be having a community BBQ, inviting community members to join us. As a community, we’ll be preparing for these nights by getting equipped, prayerwalking our communities, and showing up ready to show Jesus’ love to everyone who comes. We will provide a list of dates soon!
Treasure Hunt Gatherings: For those who are interested in applying what we’ve been learning about operating in the Spirit, we will be having a series of gatherings to learn about and practice “treasure hunt” evangelism. This method of evangelism seeks to grow in responding to the Holy Spirit, receiving words of knowledge and operating in supernatural power (like we see in the New Testament). If you’re interested in trying this out, please email us and we’ll provide more detailed information.

Building Bridges
Series: What’s Next? 
May 22, 2022

Acts 10:1-23 (NKJV)

PRAY

MAPS: Incredible story of how the Gospel Spread!
JESUS: 90 miles from Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea (almost exactly the distance from GR to Baldwin)
Incredible spread of the Gospel. No modern transit. No modern communications. Obstacles and barriers along the way. Shipwrecks. Bandits. Weather. Treacherous landscape. Spread like wildfire!
HOW DID THEY DO IT? THEY BRIDGED THE GAP!

MAIN IDEA: We are bridges to bring God’s love to a lost world.

Becoming the Bridge
 The Holy Spirit is at work on their side of the bridge. (1-8)

 We must seek the Father’s heart on our side of the bridge (9-16)

 We need to make space and be ready to cross over ( 17-23)



What Can We Do?
  Foster existing connections

 Create common spaces

 Be bold with opportunities



“Building Bridges” Guidebook
Training Videos
Events




Discussion Questions:
Pick up the story of Peter and the Gentiles in Acts 10:34-48 (take turns reading). Question: How hard did Peter have to work to convince the people to receive the Good News? Who did all the work? What had to change so that Peter could be used to “bridge the gap.”
Talk about the work the Holy Spirit does throughout Acts 10 to help bring the Good News to the Gentiles. What does this tell us about the work of the Holy Spirit? What does this tell us about ourselves?
Spend some time together praying, seeking the Lord’s heart for the lost:
As you pray, focus not on getting through a “list,” but on hosting the Presence.
Have Acts 10 (or another relevant passage) open as you pray and meditate.
Really listen and ask the Lord to show you how He wants you to pray and pray into that.
If you feel the Holy Spirit gives you a word for the group, please share it.
Following the previous sermon (“You’re In Search and Rescue,” May 12, 2022), the discussion time encouraged you to think strategically about what you could do as a small group to build bridges in the community. Take some time, refine the discussion and, as a group, see if you can turn those basic ideas into an actual plan.


Evangelism Summer
2022

MAIN IDEA: Community Groups are called to be Kingdom “Search & Rescue” units.

Acts 19:1-10 (NKJV)
 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.


Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
And [Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry






Conversation
 Have you ever had a chance to share the Gospel with a person? If so, what was it like? If not, do you want to?

 On a scale of 1-10, how equipped do you feel to share the Gospel? Explain your answer.

 What is one thing the church can do to help you step out and share your faith?



EXERCISE: Confessing the Truth
 I am salt and light in the world

 We are in this together

 Jesus is tangibly present when we gather



Commissioned: Search & Rescue
 COMMIT together

 PRAY together

 PLAN together

 IMPLEMENT together



Discussion Questions:
Revisit the two passages. In what way did Paul “equip the people” to do the ministry? How effectively did they minister?
As a community group, talk about what it would look like for your group to take up the outreach challenge that Adam and Zach talked about. What are some ideas you could implement as a group?
Take narrow down some of your ideas and pick one or two. How could you contribute to this happening?
Before heading out, spend some time praying and listening to the Holy Spirit. Are there any other ideas that emerge?
Please SHARE what you come up with with Pastor Larry ([email protected]). We want to help you any way we can.

Series: What’s Next? 

May 1, 2022

Last week: Forgiveness is essential for Kingdom advancement.

Forgiveness can become a lifestyle when consistently practiced.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Grace is so much more than “unmerited favor”

Adoption

Acceptance

Abundance

Celebration

• Adam challenged us to think of grace as more than “unmerited favor.” How did he describe it? In what way did this expand your understanding of grace?
• How do the images of adoption and God’s fatherhood help us think more deeply about what it means to “shine our light”?
• What was something the Holy Spirit showed you about yourself during the exercise? How could that revelation become a light to people who are living in darkness?
• What is one concrete thing you could do to steward and mature the light God has put inside of you?

Series: What’s Next? 

April 24, 2022

21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.

26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.

29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.

31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

Unforgiveness in any area spreads poison to every area.

• Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness can be incredibly challenging on various levels. What do you find challenging about his teaching? Explain your answer.
• According to the message, what are some of the negative consequences of unforgiveness? Have you seen some of those dynamics at play in your own experiences? If you feel comfortable, please share.
• What are some ways we tend to justify unforgiveness in our own lives?
• Adam talked about a “spirit of offense.” Can you describe how you have observed this spirit at work in everyday life?
• Adam mentioned “Areas of Unforgiveness.” What were some of those areas? How does becoming aware of these areas help you to examine your own heart?
• Is there an area in your life where you are feeling challenged to forgive?
• How does meditating on the Resurrection make forgiveness possible?

This is Sunday's message from Easter at Inheritance Church