Be a Bridge Builder

THE TEXT: Acts 17:16-34(MULTILINE)

How to build a bridge to the Gospel:

1. Ask yourself: Does my for in my life?

| Acts 17:16-17 | Luke 19:10 |(MULTILINE)

2. Don’t be a . Be the .

| Acts 17:18-22 | 1 Peter 3:15 | 1 Corinthians 9:22 | Ephesians 4:32 |(MULTILINE)

3. Find and and build on them. 

| Acts 17:23-29 | John 1:1-3 |(MULTILINE)

4. Make a yet connection to . 

| Acts 17:30-31 | Ephesians 4:15 |(MULTILINE)

5. Always be working on , but leave the to .

| Acts 17:32-34 | Acts 17:26 | 2 Peter 3:9 | Romans 6:23 |(MULTILINE)

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

1. Have someone quickly re-read the main “fill-in points” from Sunday’s message to refresh your memory.(MULTILINE)
2. What struck a chord with you from the message?(MULTILINE)

The story of your life.

Pastor Obie talked about being a “bridge builder.” How do you most naturally build bridges with others? Does it come easy for you or is it harder? Explain.(MULTILINE)

Digging deeper in God’s Word.

1. In 2nd Kings 6:8-23, two parties at great enmity with one another and end with a bit of a bridge built between them. It was short-lived, but nonetheless it was helpful. Read the story together and respond to the following prompts/questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the story using their own words.(MULTILINE)
   2. When faced with obstacles and conflicts, it can often feel like there are no good options. What can we learn from verses 15-17 in these moments?(MULTILINE)
   3. What does this story tell us about God? Building bridges with others? Others and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   4. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?(MULTILINE)
2. When it comes to building bridges, Jesus spoke in counter-intuitive, seemingly upside down ways. Read Matthew 5:38-48 and answer the following prompts/questions.
   1. What can we learn from Jesus’ teaching here about building bridges? In what ways does this go against our natural way of doing things?(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this tell us about God? Others and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?(MULTILINE)
3. Here are a few passages that speak to building bridges and making connection points with people as a means of impacting them with the gospel. Read them out loud one at a time, sharing insights from each about how we can better impact others for Christ as well.
   1. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.(MULTILINE)
   2. Romans 15:1-7.(MULTILINE)
   3. Philippians 2:1-11.(MULTILINE)

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said that struck a chord with you in this discussion.(MULTILINE)
2. Pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women if possible). Larger groups may need to break into even smaller groups for the sake of time.(MULTILINE)