A Bridge to the Nations

October 12, 2025

God’s heart has always been for the nations. From Abraham’s promise to Isaiah’s vision of a house of prayer for all peoples to John’s glimpse of a multitude before the throne, Scripture reveals a global mission. But like Israel, the church today can lose the plot when we forget who the Gospel is for. Join us for part 2 of Bridges, where we see that love crosses borders—racial, cultural, and personal. Jesus calls us to become a bridge to the nations—starting right here in our city.

Passage

Luke 19:41–46

Principle

Love ##crosses## ##borders##

Practice

Pray for the ##nations##
Give to the ##Bridge## ##Initiative##
Serve in ##ESL## or with the ##Family## of ##Churches##

Small Group Questions

Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple’s or family devotion, or with a small group.

HANGOUT

What’s the farthest place you’ve ever traveled, and what surprised you most about meeting people from another culture?

[NOT FOR PRINT] Leader Notes:

This is a lighthearted entry question designed to get everyone talking. Encourage brief storytelling and notice common themes: curiosity, differences, and unexpected connections.
Transition point: Just as we are often surprised by encounters with people from different cultures, the disciples and crowds in John 12 were surprised at how Jesus’ mission was bigger than they imagined.

HEAR

Read John 12:12–19

Why were the crowds so excited to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem? What were they expecting Him to do?
How does this moment echo the prophecies of the Messiah? How do you think it felt for the disciples to see people shouting Hosanna?
In what ways might we also come to Jesus expecting Him to fulfill our personal or cultural agendas, rather than His true mission?

Read John 12:20–23

Who came asking to see Jesus, and why is that significant? What does it reveal about the spread of His fame beyond Israel?
Up to this point, Jesus had repeatedly said “my hour has not yet come.” Why do you think the arrival of Greeks—people from other nations—was the turning point when He declared, “The hour has come”?
How does this moment connect to God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3)?

Read John 12:24

What does Jesus mean by comparing Himself to a seed that must die in order to bear much fruit?
How is His death not only for Israel, but for the nations? What does this say about God’s heart for the world?
How might this image of a seed falling to the ground help us understand both the cost and the abundance of following Jesus?

HUDDLE

Where do you see God calling you to “die to self” so that His life and love might spread to others—whether across the street, across cultures, or across the world? Pray together for courage to live sacrificially and for God to use your group to bring His blessing to the nations.

Daily Reading

As you read each passage, look for connections to this week’s sermon and small group discussion. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your teacher as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Day 1: Genesis 12:1–3
Day 2: Psalm 67
Day 3: Isaiah 56:1–8
Day 4: Luke 19:41–46
Day 5: John 12:20–33
Day 6: Acts 1:6–11
Day 7: Revelation 7:9–12

Passage to Memorize

Isaiah 56:7

Think Deeper

Do you have any friends whose first language is something other than English?
Are you invested in seeing the Gospel reach the ends of the earth? How so?
What might it look like for you to “cross a border” to share the love of Christ?

Suggested Resources

Surprised by Hope, by N.T. Wright
The Living Church, by John Stott
Center Church, by Tim Keller

Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB

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