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This Week
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Announcements

ATTENTION MEN: Tuesday Morning Prayer 6:30 am in the Welcome Center. Calling all men to join together each week to pray and encourage each other.

Baptisms
Sunday, April 2
The Bridge Church Reno
Sign up at thebridgereno.com/baptism If you would like to be baptized.

Help with Easter Basket Giveaway
Starting March 20 through April 8
The Bridge Church Reno
Once again The Bridge Church has partnered with Thomas Hill and we are planning on giving away over one thousand free Easter baskets to children in need. Right now we need to stuff four thousand plastic eggs with candy. If you can help with this please coordinate with Tom (cookies4kindness@gmail.com). You may pick up the eggs and candy and return them stuffed. There will be opportunities to help assemble the Easter baskets starting around March 27th. There will also be opportunities to hand out the baskets on April 1st and 8th.
 
Starting Point Class
Sunday April 2nd at 11:15a
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. Sign up at thebridgereno.com/startingpoint.

Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday April 2 at 11:15a
The Bridge Church Reno
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God. In this class, we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom. Please sign up using the Connection Card.

Blood Drive
Sunday, April 2 at 9:00a - 12:00p
The Bridge Church Reno
Please use this link to sign-up https://bit.ly/3SYWbes.

Easter Services
Good Friday Service: Friday, April 7 at 6:00p
Easter Sunday (one service): April 9 at 10:00a

Message Notes

Church of the First “Christians”

Pastor Bill West
March 26, 2023

A Gospel-Centered Church

Inclusive Outreach
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”
Acts 11:19–21

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 
Acts 13:1

Grace and Truth  Culture
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 
Acts 11:22–24

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 
Acts 9:26–27

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 11:25–26

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 
John 1:14

Generous to Others
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
Acts 11:27–29

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Sending Church
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:1–3

A Gospel-Centered Church Has Both a Grace and Truth Culture

Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

Discussion Questions:
1. Share some of the insights you have gained from the Book of Acts so far. What new thoughts do you have about your faith as a result?
2. Read Acts 11:1-3:  How did the church respond to Peter’s encounter with Cornelius? Read Acts 11:15-18:  What was their response after Peter explained what happened?
 3. Read Acts 11:19: What did those who left because of the persecution do? Why only to Jews?
4. Read Acts 11:20-21:  What happened when some began to share the word with Gentiles? Read Acts 13:1: What is different about this group of leaders than the leaders of the church in Jerusalem?
5. Read Acts 11:22-25: What does the Jerusalem Church do when they heard what was happening in Antioch?  Why did they send Barnabus? Read Acts 9:26-27:  What kind of person was Barnabus? Encouragement comes from the Greek word: paraclete: which carries the idea that Barnabus was full of both grace and truth.  Why are these two characteristics needed in a church? How did the church in Antioch show both?  What was the result? Have you ever had someone like Barnabus in your life?  How can you become more like this with others? Read and discuss Acts 11:26: What is significant about this verse? Who first called them Christians?  Any idea why?
6. Read John 1:14:  How is Jesus described?  How would you rate the church on being filled with Grace AND Truth? Where are we strong and how do we get better?
7. Read and discuss Acts 11:27-28: What happens here and how does the church respond?
8. Read and discuss Acts 13:1-3: How did the Church in Antioch respond to God’s call for them?
9. Spend Time praying for each other.

Dig Deeper: In preparation for next week’s discussion, please do the following:

Monday: Read Acts 12:1-17: 
    • Where does this take place?
    • What stands out to you in these verses?
    • What is Herod’s issue with the Christians? What did he do and Why?
    • How did the early church respond to Peter’s arrest?
    • What is the result for Peter and the church?

Tuesday: Read Acts 12:18-25:
    • What was Herod’s response to Peter being gone?
    • What happened to Herod because of his arrogance?
    • What can we learn from this?

Wednesday: Read Hebrews 10:24-25:
Think of someone who has recently encouraged you-reach out to them today to let them know what it meant to you.  Also, think on 2-3 people that you know who need to be encouraged, how can you encourage them this week?  What will you do?  People today seem really discouraged and anxious. Think of ways that you can become more of an encourager to others.

Thursday: Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15:  
How does Paul talk about generosity here?  How has your life been impacted by someone’s generosity recently? How would you rate your generosity so far this year?  Where have you grown? Where can you grow some more based on your ability?

Previous Messages Can Be Found Here