Info Bar

This Week
@ The Bridge

Announcements

Baptism Sunday
Sunday November 27th
The Bridge Church Reno
On the last Sunday of our “Rooted” series we will celebrate by having baptisms as well as communion.  If you are interested in being baptized please use the connection card to reach out to us.
 
Mexico Mission Trip Commitment Meeting
Sunday December 4th
The Bridge Church Reno

If you are planning to come on our spring mission trip to Mexico you much attend this meeting.  At the meeting will get the official count of how many are committed to raising the funds and going on the trip.  You will need to bring your completed paperwork and a $50 (cash or check) non-refundable retainer.  If you need more information before the meeting please email phil@thebridgereno.com
 
Starting Point Class
Sunday December 11th
The Bridge Church Reno

If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood.  You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please use the connection card on the website or app to sign up and let us know you will be joining us.
 
Christmas Choir Performance
Sunday December 11th
The Bridge Church Reno

Our choir has been hard at work practicing for a special Christmas performance.  Come hear their beautiful voices sing and tell the story of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.  This will be a great Sunday to invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this special presentation.  This will be happening at both services so don’t come alone.

Message Notes

Rooted: Tell Your Story

Pastor Bill West
November 20, 2022

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15–16

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
John 4:28–29

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
John 9:24–25

Be Ready: It’s Easier than You Think!
Answer Those Who Ask.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15

Answer for The Hope You Have
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15 

Answer with Gentleness and Respect.
But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15–16 

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
1 Peter 2:11–14

How to Tell Your Story

Come and See
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.”
John 1:43–46

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
John 4:28–29

I Was; But Now.
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore, the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
John 9:13–17

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
John 9:24–25

Bottom Line: Be Ready to Tell Your Story!

Small Groups Talk About It

Rooted: Tell Your Story  Discussion Questions
  1. When you think about witnessing or sharing your faith, what thoughts, ideas or images come into your mind? Do you think it has become harder or easier to share your faith over the last few years?

  1. Read and discuss 1 Peter 3:15.  What stands out to you in this verse?  On a scale of 1-10 how ready are you to tell your story? Why does Peter say “to those who ask”?  What is the reason for your hope?

  1. Read and discuss 1 Peter 3:15-16. What does it mean to answer with gentleness and respect?    How do you deal with it?

  1. Read and discuss 1 Peter 2:11-14. What stands out to you the most in these verses and how does it fit in with telling your story??  

  1. Read John 1:43-51. What stands out to you in this exchange?  Why doe Nathaniel tell Phillip to come and See? What happens?

  1. Read John 4:28-30 & 39-42. What did the woman tell her friends? What did they do and what was the result?

  1. When it a good time to say Come and See to those you know?
 
  1. Read John 1:1-25. What stands out to you in these verses? What was the man’s response to the things he did not know? What did he know? What do you know about your story?

  1. Tell your story to each other in your group.

  1. Share the names of those you want to be able to tell your story. Pray for each other to be ready and willing to share when God opens the door.