A Bridge to the Nations
November 10, 2024
Jesus’ final charge to His disciples was to go to all nations, telling them the good news and inviting them to be a part of the Kingdom. As the nations come to Jacksonville, Aspire has an unprecedented opportunity to respond to Jesus’ call. Join us for part four of Bridge the Gap, where we will discover that building a bridge to the nations requires faith, action, and perseverance.
Passage
Matthew 28:16-20
Principle
Building a bridge to the nations requires ##faith##, ##action##, and ##perseverance##.
Practice
Build a bridge to the ##nations##.
- Join us on a ##short##-##term## ##mission## trip in 2025.
[See the Aspire to Go Card or visit Aspirejax.org/Aspiretogo to learn more]
- Get involved with the Aspire ##Family## of ##Churches##.
- Show radical Gospel Hospitality to an ##international## ##neighbor##.
- Make a ##financial## ##commitment## to the Bridge Initiative.
[See the Bridge Commitment Card or visit AspireJax.org/Bridge to learn more]
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
What is a “Jonah moment,” and have you ever had one?
HEAR
Read Jonah 1:1-17
- What did God call Jonah to do, and how did he respond? Why did he respond this way?
- How were the pagan sailors, the storm, and the fish more obedient than Jonah?
- How was the storm and the fish evidence of God’s love? (See Hebrews 12:6). When have you experienced the love of God’s disciple?
Read Jonah 2:10 & 3:1-10
- How would you describe Jonah’s message to and interaction with the people of Nineveh?
- How did Nineveh respond to Jonah’s message? What does this suggest about the power of God’s Word, even in the mouth of a disobedient messenger? How did God respond to the people of Nineveh?
- Is there a people group or nation that might evoke a Jonah-like response from you?
Read Jonah 4:1-11
- How did Jonah react to God’s gracious response to the Ninevites? Why did he respond this way?
- Why did God give Jonah a leafy plant, and why did He send a worm to devour it? Did Jonah care more about his comfort or the innocent people in Nineveh?
- Have we allowed our desire for comfort and security to overshadow God’s call to the nations? Why or why not?
HUDDLE
Have any comforts become more important to you than God’s call to take the Gospel to the nations? What sacrifices are you willing to make to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to respond to the Gospel? Talk about it, invite accountability, and pray together.
Reading Plan + Prayer Guide
Monday
Jonah 1
Ask God to show you any rebellion in your heart. Ask for His forgiveness and the strength to obey His call. Thank God for the storms and giant fish He has sent to draw you back to Himself.
Tuesday
Jonah 2
Meditate on Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2. Personalize it, make it your own, and allow God’s word to guide your prayer time.
Wednesday
Jonah 3
Thank God for His grace and pray for nations without access to the good news of Jesus Christ. Ask God to send people to those nations and consider how God is calling you to help.
Thursday
Jonah 4
Ask God to reveal any sense of entitlement you have. Thank Him for every provision and blessing. Offer everything you have back to Him for His purpose and glory. Ask God to show you what He would have you commit to the Bridge Initiative.
Friday
Matthew 28:16-20 & Acts 1:1-11
Thank God for His Spirit and for entrusting His mission to our church. Pray for the Aspire Family of Churches (Karen, Mizo, and Vietnamese) as they seek to live out the Great Commission in our city and to the ends of the earth.