Here's our worship service for October 18, 2020. The sermon is on Acts 2:42-47 and is entitled, "The Devoted Life."
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The Devoted Life (for the week of October 18, 2020) PDF at bottom Note to Group Leaders: More than anyone else, you are aware of the size of your group, time constraints, the needs of your group, etc. Please read through the Scripture and material below and use whatever you believe will be most helpful to your group. This Week’s Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 Key Idea from Sermon “New life in Christ will fill us with devotion to better know and love God so we can better love and serve others. God will bring the increase to his Kingdom.” Discussing the Scripture 1. The Book of Acts is often called, “the Acts of the Apostles.” Read the following verses and write down your suggestion for another title (Acts 1:4-5; 1:8; 2:4; 2:17; 2:33; 4:8; 4:31; 6:3; 6:10; 8:17; 9:17)? 2. Read Acts 2:1-41. What happened to bring all these new followers of Jesus Christ together in Acts 2:42-47? 3. Verse 42 says these new believers devoted themselves to four activities. Look up the word “devoted” in a dictionary. What does it mean? Why do you think they were so devoted? Why is such devotion important for a follower of Jesus? 4. List the four activities that verse 42 says these new believers were devoted to. 5. What would the “apostles’ teaching” have included? (Read Matthew 28:18-20, John 14:25-26, John 16:12-13, and Acts 1:3 for ideas.) What does the “apostles’ teaching” include today? 6. The Greek word for “fellowship” is, koinonia. It means sharing and participating in a common goal. One commentator said it was an intentional and intimate experience, where the believers shared together “in material goods as well as spiritual wealth.” What does Acts 2:42-47 suggests that fellowship looked like? 7. The reference to “breaking of bread” in verse 2, is twofold. It means both enjoying a common meal together as well as the Lord’s Supper. Why would both have been so important to the early Christians? Why are both so vital for Christians today? 8. Verse 42 tells us these new believers also devoted themselves to prayer. The Greek word here actually means, “the prayers.” This tells us that not only did they pray individually but also together as a community. Why is that so significant in the life of a Christian community? 9. Verse 43 points out that God strengthened this new community of believers with the presence of supernatural miracles performed by the apostles, which filled the people with awe. Why do you think God did this? 10. What do verses 44-46 report as the result of the devoted life of this new Christian community? 11. And what does verse 47 say was the result of verses 42-46? Who ultimately produced that fruit of the Kingdom of God? (Bonus Question: How would you write this out as a mathematical equation?) Applying the Scripture 12. Can Christians today have the same level of devotion as these early believers did? Why or why not? Do you? Why or why not? 13. How can you devote yourself to the apostles’ teaching? 14. How can you devote yourself to Christian fellowship? 15. How can you devote yourself to “the breaking of bread” (Lord’s Supper) (Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 for some insight)? 16. How can you devote yourself to private and corporate prayer? 17. Whose help will you need to be so devoted? (not a trick question) ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
John Wesley’s Questions for Self-Examination
Today we learn about how the Holy Spirit worked in the life and ministry of Stephen, in the Book of Acts. This Holy Spirit who worked in Stephen is the same Spirit who has moved in and through the lives of followers of Jesus for two thousand years. And the good news is this same Holy Spirit can work in and through your life too!! Just imagine what God might do when we trust him and step out in dependence upon his powerful Spirit. Sharing Your Story (for the week of October 11, 2020) PDF at bottom Note to Group Leaders: More than anyone else, you are aware of the size of your group, time constraints, the needs of your group, etc. Please read through the Scripture and material below and use whatever you believe will be most helpful to your group. This Week’s Scripture: Acts 4:1-20 Key Idea from Sermon “Be ready to talk to others about what you see God doing in you and around you.” Discussing the Scripture 1. According to verses 1-3, what got the apostles in trouble with the religious authorities? What happened to Peter and John because of this? 2. What was the result of what Peter and John were doing (v. 4)? Do you think this result was worth getting in trouble for? Why or why not? 3 What question was asked of Peter and John in verse 7? Why do you think they were asked this question? 4. Who enabled Peter to answer the religious authorities in this high-pressure situation (v. 8)? What does this teach you about your need when sharing your story about who God is and what he has done in your life? 5. In verses 9-11, what was Peter’s answer to the religious authorities? 6. What truth did Peter communicate in verse 12? (see also Matthew 1:21; John 14:6; Acts 10:43; 1 Timothy 2:5) 7. What astonished the religious leaders, according to verse 13? How does that encourage you to share your story about who God is and what he has done in your life? 8. In verses 14-17, the religious leaders conferred with one another and decided to tell Peter and John they could no longer speak to anyone else in (about) the name of Jesus. Why? 9. How did Peter and John reply in verses 18-19? (see also Acts 5:29) Could you reply the same way Peter and John did? Why or why not? 10. What are some things you and these apostles have in common? (A hint for one answer is found in Romans 8:11) Applying the Scripture 11. What would you say are your top three obstacles in sharing your story about who God is and what he has done in your life? 12. Reflect on each obstacle you just listed. What is it about each one that makes it an obstacle for you? 13. What are three things you could begin doing today to move past those obstacles? What truths did you learn in this lesson’s Scripture to help you make those changes? ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
John Wesley’s Questions for Self-Examination
James has a lot to say about how we use our words. He says with our words we can praise God or curse people made in God's image. We can build up or tear down through the use of our tongues. James teaches us that while the tongue is small it can bring on great devastation. How do you use your words? Join David and me as we take a look at James 3:1-12 and discuss how we can grow in grace when it comes to our words. This is the fourth lesson in our series on Spiritual Power. This lesson focuses on what has to first happen in our lives before we can begin living the spiritual life. God must first do a work to awaken us to our need for him. He must also take up residence in our lives before we can even desire to live the spiritual life, much less actually do so. Join me as we learn more about this from John 3:1-8. Know and Use Your Spiritual Gifts (for the week of October 4, 2020) PDF at bottom Note to Group Leaders: More than anyone else, you are aware of the size of your group, time constraints, the needs of your group, etc. Please read through the Scripture and material below and use whatever you believe will be most helpful to your group. This Week’s Scripture: John 13:1-17 Key Idea from Sermon “We get to exchange expressions of reconciliation and communicate love when we lower ourselves and serve others.” Discussing the Scripture
Applying the Scripture
ACTS (A prayer guide for this lesson)
John Wesley’s Questions for Self-Examination
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