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This Week
@ The Bridge

Announcements

Baptism Class
Sunday, October 30 @ 11:45am
The Bridge Church Reno – Learning Center
If you are interested in being baptized of just want to know what the scriptures say about baptism, we will be hosting a baptism class on October 30th.  Please sign up using the connection card on The Bridge Church App.
 
CARS Clinic
Saturday November 12 @ 9:00am
The Bridge Church Reno
If you are a single mother or older and in need of regular maintenance or small minor repairs on your vehicle; please sign up for our CARS clinic.  On November 12th at 9am the CARS team will be at the church helping with those things.  Please sign up at thebridgereno.com/cars
 
Blood Drive
Sunday November 13 9:00am-12:00pm
The Bridge Church Reno
Your blood donation means everything. To the emergency team working around the clock. To the loved ones anxiously waiting for news. To the patient desperate to recover.  Be a hero a donate blood.  To sign up please go to thebridgereno.com/donateblood
 
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
You can support our mission using the Give Button in our App or online at https://thebridgereno.com/giving

Message Notes

Rooted: The Way that We Grow

Pastor Bill West
October 16, 2022

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Romans 5:1–5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2–4

Hard Times Will Come
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance
Romans 5:1–3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
James 1:2

In this world you will have trouble… 
John 16:33

Hard Times Give Us a Choice 
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” 
Hebrews 12:15

… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Romans 5:2–3 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.. 
James 1:2  

Hard Times Change Us
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Romans 5:3–5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2–4

Hard Times will Not Last
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-3

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 
Romans 8:18

How You Respond Will Determine The Result
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

  1. What are your thoughts about pain and suffering in our world? Is it possible to avoid it?  Are Christians more immune to it?

  1. Read Romans 5:1-3, James 1:2, and John 16:33. What do these verses all share in common? All of us have gone through times of despair and loneliness, what were your feelings about your situation and God when this happened to you? 

  1. Do you think it is possible to consider it pure joy when you are in the middle of hard times?  Why or Why not?  What do you think “pure joy” means or looks like? 

  1. Read James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-4. What are these verses telling us about the trials that we all face?  What are the positive and negative things that can happen as a result of trials?
    Read Hebrews 12:15. How have you seen trials and suffering cause bitterness?

  1. James says that perseverance is a positive result of trials for the believer.  What does perseverance look mean? Perseverance is not the final result. What is it? 

  1. What are some things you have learned as a result of the tough things you have faced?

  1. Read and discuss Romans 8:18. What is the glory that will be revealed in us? How do we know that is far better

  1. What are some of the trials/challenges you are facing that you are willing to share? Can you relate to anything someone else is going through?

  1. Talk about ways you may be able to help each other?

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