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BAPTISM CLASS
Sunday, April 10 @ 11:45a
Baptism Class will help you'll learn about God’s plan for baptism and prepare you for your baptism. We'll meet in the Learning Center. Sign up today using the Connection Card at https://thebridgereno.com/connect

EASTER DINNER KITS & BASKETS
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Cookies for Kindness, in partnership with The Bridge Church, The Katie Grace Foundation, and Ashlee's Toy Closet, will be giving away free family Easter Dinner Kits and Easter Baskets (ages 3 to 12) for families in need who have access to cooking facilities. Many families are struggling to make ends meet and will have difficulty providing a family Easter Dinner and/or Easter Baskets for their children. There is no qualifying to receive Dinner Kits and Easter Baskets. Follow this link to receive a Dinner Kit: https://thebridgereno.com/easter. If you would like to volunteer to help Cowboy Tom, send him an email at cookies4kindness@gmail.com. The Easter Dinner Kits and Easter Baskets will be given out on April 9th, 10th, 15th, and 16th at The Bridge Church parking lot, 1330 Foster Drive, next to the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

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Message Notes

Road to Decision - Gethsemane

Pastor Bill West
April 3, 2022

His Revelation
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. 
Matthew 26:31-35

His Struggle
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. 
Matthew 26:36-37

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 22:43–44 

For this reason, he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:17–18

His Honesty
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.
Matthew 26:39

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.
Matthew  26:42

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 
Hebrews 5:7

His Loneliness
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  
Matthew 26:40-41

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 
Matthew 26:42-43

His Resolve
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?  Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Matthew 26:44-46

Bottom Line: May His will, not mine be done.
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

  1. What is an agonizing or stressful situation/circumstance you have faced in your life?  How were you able to get through it?

  2. Read Matthew 26:31-35:  Why did Jesus make a point of telling the disciples this?  How would you have responded to what Jesus said?

  3. Read Matthew 26:36-46:  Discuss these.
    ○ Why do you think Jesus took 3 disciples with him deeper into the garden? Why those three?
    ○ What do you think the disciples thought when Jesus said his “soul was sorrowful to the point of death”?
    ○ After Jesus’ discussion about all of them falling away, why would he ask the disciples to “stay here and keep watch”? What does it mean to keep watch?  What might we learn from Jesus asking for their help?
    ○ How do you think Jesus felt when he came back, and they were sleeping-three times?  How do you think the disciples felt when they kept “falling asleep”? What was Jesus asking in His prayers?  What was the significance of the “cup” he referred to?

  4. What might you have thought about Jesus if you had seen him in the garden that night?

  5. Read Luke 22:43-44: Why was Jesus struggling so much?  What do you believe brought him to the point of saying “yes” to the Father’s will?

  6. What do you learn from what happened in the garden? Read Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15-16?

  7. Where are struggling the most today?  What help do you need?

  8. Pray for one another.
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here