Knowing God, Pt. 2: The Gate
Take Communion
Leader: Begin your gathering by taking communion together, whether as a full meal together or some version of the bread and the cup before or after your meal. If you don’t already have a Communion liturgy, read these words from Paul to the church in Philippi.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2v5-11)
Read This Overview Aloud Together
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” Of all the symbols or metaphors Jesus could use to reveal something to us about God, on the surface, a gate seems a bit anticlimactic. Despite what we may think, though, Jesus was actually making the incredibly profound and moving claim that he is able to save the lost. He was telling the story of a God who goes out of his way to bring back those who have wandered, who makes a way to restore them to right relationship with him.
Tonight and this week, we want to reflect on God’s heart for the lost, remembering that he alone is the Gate by which we find salvation.
Do This Practice Tonight
As part of our Daily Prayer Rhythm, we have been praying each midday for our friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and others in our lives who don’t know Jesus, that they might come to find the saving love of God. Tonight, we want to check in about this rhythm, having a conversation about how it’s going and what next steps we might take in our relationships with the people for whom we’re praying. Let’s work together through the following questions:
How has the rhythm of praying for the lost at midday been going? Who are you praying for?
As you’ve been praying over the last few months, where have you seen God at work in the lives of those for whom you’re praying?
Where might the Spirit be inviting you to take a step towards one of these people and maybe even have a conversation with them about Jesus?
Let’s close this time by praying that the lost in our lives might hear the voice of the Spirit call them to salvation, and that we would pay attention to where the Spirit is inviting us to be part of that story.
Read The Practice for the Week Ahead
This week, set aside some extra time with God to talk about those for whom you pray each midday. Is there anyone who he is inviting you to step out and have a conversation with about God? Our Practice this week has two parts:
Invite Someone to Alpha – Even though Alpha started last week, it’s not too late to invite someone to join. Alpha is an open and informal conversation about life, spirituality, and the person of Jesus without judgment or pressure. People are welcome to bring thoughts and questions as the group explores them together without the pressured atmosphere that usually comes with these conversations. You can learn more at Bridgetown.Church/Alpha
Start a Conversation with Someone about Jesus – As you talk with Jesus about each of the people for whom you’re praying, take a moment and ask him if he would invite you to begin a conversation with them about God. Or is there any way that he wants to care for them through you – to buy their lunch, to pray with them, to share a prophetic word, or to bless them in some other way that you can attribute to God’s prompting?
Go about your week with curiosity, asking God in various moments if there is an invitation to have a conversation about him.
End in Prayer
Close your time together asking for God to continue to reveal himself to you all as the Gate.