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- Building Update #2
- 3 members of Church by the Bridge share their story
- Building Update #1
- A history of our church in 430 words
- Reaching those we know: “I went to church”
- Reaching those we know: Don’t lunch alone
- Reaching those we know: Cross-pollinate your social circles
- Reaching those we know: Throw out an invite to church
- Reaching those we know: Ask yourself the hard questions
- Reaching those we know: Honour God’s holy name
- 10 ways you can pray for SOUL
- Reaching those we know: Give them a DVD
- 10 practical ways we can love others at our weekly gatherings
- Reaching those we know: Be a Christian on Facebook
- Reaching those we know: Be reminded of the urgency
- Reaching those we know: Ask questions
- Seeing the crowds
- Reaching those we know: Introduce yourself
- The benefits of memorising Scripture (and a tool to help)
- May 2011 Offertory Information and YTD Expenses
- What do you thank God for?
- Are you converted?
- 3 ways you can serve the church family with Planning Center Online
- 8 reasons our church uses Planning Center Online
- The rupture of God
- What happens when you die?
- The launch of Sunday at 6pm (Lavender Bay)
- Core value 6: Maturity
- Core value 4: Church Family
- Core value 5: Mission
- Core value 2: Bible
- Core value 1: Christ-centered
- Introducing our Core Values
- This is our mission
- 2011: the year of reaching those we know
- Why join a Connect Group?
- Reading the Bible with regularity
- Christmas Message 2010
- 4 reasons for joy this Christmas
- Three updates for 2011
- Now is the time for the “Build”
- How to pray for the persecuted church
- An introduction to Hudson Taylor
- An introduction to Jonathan Edwards
- Seven resources to spur you on in thinking and living as a Christian
- Why do we read the Bible in church?
- Why do we sing?
- Why do we pray?
- Why do we meet together?
- Godly voting
- Bible Words: Holiness
- Introducing Stephen - our new Burmese mission partner
- 11 ways to pray for Kenny, Rose and Jenna Lloyd
- 5 ways to pray for the Chapman family
- Let our fellowship be like a family meal
- Introduction to Playtime by the Bridge
- God’s love shapes how we love
- Living an intentional life
- Mission Focus Weekend 2010
- 12 tips to sit regularly under the Word of God
- Who is Anglicare?
- Resources for responding to apologetics questions
- Spotlight on Vietnam
- Spotlight on Ecuador
- Mission at Church by the Bridge
- Opportunities to use technology in our Christian lives
- Preparing for Easter
- The dangers of using technology
- Preparing for the Annual Vestry Meeting
- Isaac Watts and emotions shaped by objective truth
- Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
- Money and mission
- Taking Jesus literally
- Two ways to act like the household of the living God
- Strong words from spiritual leaders on loving the church
- Explaining our core value
- The resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
- We believe in miracles!
- 5 ways to maximise Christmas
- Discerning the presence of spiritual pride
- Charles Spurgeon - a preacher passionate about Biblical truth
- Charles Simeon - a devout and zealous gospel preacher
- 10 tips for seeking to live as a follower of Jesus
- Jonathan Edwards - loving God with heart and soul
- Important words: adoption
- Important words: grace
- Luke - an orderly account of Jesus’ life
- Mark - the punchy gospel
- The delights and challenges of Matthew
- 10 books that changed my life
- Making the most of technology to serve God and each other
- How do we make good leaders and keep them going?
- Church membership involves attending church
- Church membership involves giving
- Church membership involves responsibility
- The implications of church membership
Why join a Connect Group?
This weekend is the launch of Connect groups for 2011. For those who are new to Church by the Bridge or have never been part of a Connect group, here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions…
What happens at a Connect group?
If you join a Connect group you can expect to meet weekly for a couple of hours, usually in someone’s home. Groups about 10 people meet to read a part of the Bible together, to discuss what it means and how it applies to our own lives. Many groups follow the church sermon series, but others choose to work through a different book of the Bible. You’ll spend time praying in response to God’s word as well as praying for each other. Some groups share a meal together, others meet over supper or morning tea.
Why join a Connect group?
Connect groups provide opportunities which aren’t available in our weekend church meetings. In Connect group, there’s time to study the Bible in greater depth and to ask questions. There’s time to consider how God’s word applies to your own situation. As we discuss those things, we get to benefit from the perspectives and insights that others in our group bring to the table. We help each other to drive God’s Word deep into our hearts and lives.
In Connect group, we have the opportunity to be part of a group of people who pray for each other regularly. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share your response to God’s word, your joys and your struggles as a group, and to bring all those things to God in prayer.
Connect groups also allow you to get to know a small group of people well. Weekend services can feel big and overwhelming, and it can take a long time to get to know people. Connect groups give you opportunities to build friendships: to eat together, laugh together, pray together. As you get to know one another, you’re better able to love and care for one another. You’re better able to encourage and support each other. And you’re better able to spur one another on to love and good works.
Finally, belonging to a Connect group gives you the chance to serve our church and our community together. Whether it be providing supper, serving at a community lunch or Fair Trade market, or welcoming people at church, being part of a Connect group provides opportunities to serve as a group alongside each other.
Our hope is that everyone who belongs to Church by the Bridge will also belong to a Connect group. Wherever you’re at in your faith, even if you’re very new to church, Connect groups are a great way to get connected in to church life.
With love in Christ,
Stephanie Menear (Women’s Pastor)
