It's Hard to Interact with People of Other Faiths | Isaiah 60:1-5

As followers of Jesus in a pluralistic, multicultural society, it can be challenging to know how to interact with people of different faiths. We often feel uncomfortable or even fearful. But the more we understand the good news of the gospel of Jesus, the more we are able to share his love with people who believe differently than us with grace and truth.

Discussion Questions

1. . What people in your life have different beliefs than you, particularly those who are adherents to different faiths? How do you feel about having conversation with them regarding deeper things around faith? 

2. Why is it important to remember who the “real enemy” is? How does that free us from the trap of forcing the gospel on others?

3. If Jesus is building a kingdom made up of people from every nation, tribe, and language, we will inevitably need to tell the gospel to people of different faiths. How does the gospel empower us for the work of mission?

4. What specific avenues of ministry and evangelism has the Lord opened up for you? How can those in your group help you work out the missional opportunities God has given you?

Prayer Points

1. Pray for individuals in your life who don’t believe in Jesus. Pray that God would give you opportunities to share the incredible truths of the gospel with them.

2. Pray for our church to be full of both grace and truth as we interact with people of other faiths.

It's Hard to Come to Grips With Hell | Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think of when you think of hell?

2. How has your understanding of hell impacted you over your lifetime?

3. Why do you think the doctrine of hell is so difficult for people to accept?

4. What are the arguments against hell’s existence that you find most sympathetic?

5. Is God just and good and loving when he judges sinners?

6. What Scripture passages impact you the most about hell and God’s judgment?

7. How have your views changed or not changed after the sermon on hell?

8. What impact does your view of hell have on the realities of hell?

9. What impact do your beliefs about hell have on your joining God on mission to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10)?

Prayer Points

1. Pray for those in our church who are struggling to understand and believe the truths of God regarding God’s righteous judgement of sinners.  Pray that they will submit to God’s sovereignty and trust in his grace and goodness.

2. Pray for those in our church, community, and world who are lost in their sins and need to hear and believe that Jesus is the Savior and their only hope.  

3. Pray for us to be bold in our evangelism and confident in our sharing of Jesus. 

4. Pray that the Truth of God will prevail in the hearts and minds of our western society which dismisses God and his truths; putting forward their own narrative.

It's Hard to Truly Believe That You're Loved | 1 John 3:19-24

Love. Countless songs have been written about it. It’s at the core of every good book or movie. It’s one of the most important aspects of being a human being, and yet so many times it is an elusive feeling. In 1 John, we see that our desire for love finds its deepest fulfillment in the love of God that was shown through Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions

1. What sorts of ways do you commonly give love? What ways do other people communicate their love to you? How can we help one another grow in both?

2. Why is God’s love at the center of our experience of all love? What is the greatest demonstration of God’s love to us?

3. In what ways do you experience shame? Why is it so common for us to hide our shame instead of bringing it to God for his healing?

4. How does God’s love empower us to take the message of the cross out to a world that needs to know God’s love?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would make us a more deeply loving church. Pray that we would all know and feel that we are truly loved.

2. Pray that God would help us to take his love to our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. so that they could come to know his perfect love.

It's Hard to Believe Abuse Could Happen in the Church | 2 Peter 2:1-14

Abuse is a horrible and all-too-common problem in the world, but what are we to do when we learn that abuse happens in the very place where healing is supposed to happen: the church? As followers of Jesus, we need to learn about this important topic so that we can live out the protection, wisdom, and healing of our savior.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to know the distinction between hurt and abuse? How can we grow in our understanding and clear thinking on this subject?

2. Why does unhealthy treatment from an abusive person often feel like (get mistaken for) love? What about our fallen condition as humans makes it so that we are drawn to harmful people at times?

3. How did Jesus face misuse of power and abuse at the hands of earthly authority? How does his death offer us healing and protection?

4. What practical steps can you take to help abuse-proof your family, your neighborhood, your small group, our church, etc.?

Prayer Points

1. Pray for those who have experienced abuse to experience the love and healing of Jesus.

2. Pray our church to be wise and protected against any and all abuse.

3. Pray that non Christians in our region would be drawn to Jesus and the healing that he

   offers.

It's Hard to Pray | Romans 8:25-30

As disciples of Jesus, we know that prayer is important, but so many of us struggle to make prayer a regular part of our lives. The more that we understand the gospel, the more we are able to take the bible’s practical instruction regarding prayer and apply it to our lives.

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe and rate your prayer life? What are the primary obstacles that keep you from being as regular in prayer as you want to be?

2. How is the gospel of Jesus the indispensable key to a robust prayer life? How does Jesus make it possible for us to pray at all?

3. What practical steps can you take this week to grow in your prayer life? How can we help one another and hold each other accountable to grow in prayer?

4. How would a more robust prayer life help you be a missionary of the gospel to those in your life who don’t yet know Jesus?

Prayer Points

1. (Personal) Choose one of the practical prayer helps (e.g. prayer journal, silent prayer) that was mentioned in this week’s teaching, and commit to trying it every day for 2 weeks.

2. Pray that God would help us continue to grow as a prayer-soaked church community.

3. Pray that God would use us to proclaim the gospel. Pray that he would save people who are currently far away from him.

Additional Reading

• Praying the Bible book by Donald Whitney

Belief Begets Boldness | Acts 28:11-31

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have a lack of boldness for Christ? How could a Christian community help you with this?

2. Have you suffered for the gospel message recently? If so, how?

3. Jesus is our hope not only for salvation, but a perfect world under the rule of God. Have you been able to explain either of these with someone recently?

4. Are you willing to confront unbelief in yourself or others? What hesitancies do you have?

5. God will save people with the message of Christ. What encouragement to persevere does this offer us?

Prayer Points

•  Pray that God would grant us boldness to speak about Christ as we should.

• Pray that this boldness would come as an overflow of our affection for Christ Jesus.

Stormy Seas and Shipwreck | Acts 27:1-28:10

As Paul is sent to Rome via ship, he encounters a series of fearful and chaotic events, including storms, shipwreck, and snakebite. But through it all, Paul remains confident that Jesus will use the chaos for Paul’s good and God’s glory.

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the imagery of “waters of chaos” in the Bible. What stories/events come to mind for you? How might a 1st century Jew have thought about this story in Acts 27?

2. Read Genesis 1:28. What does it mean that God commanded the humans to “subdue the earth” prior to the first sin and the fall? 

3. What storms are you currently experiencing? How is Jesus using these storms to draw you closer to himself? How is he using them to change you? 

4. Why is it so important to remember evangelism/mission when we walk through life’s storms?

Prayer Points

•  Pray for those who are currently facing storms. Pray that Jesus would meet them in the storms and use them for cleansing. 

• Pray that our challenges and storms would help us propel forward in evangelism, not shrink back from it.

God Raises the Dead | Acts 26:1-32

No official discussion questions or prayer points this week. Instead, do three things:

1. Have a resurrection party with your group. Celebrate the incredible truth that God raises the dead.

2. Pray for each other's needs, that God’s resurrection power would move mightily.

3. Pray for a non-Christian in your life, and then share the gospel with them.

For Further Study

• “From Dust You Shall Arise:” Resurrection Hope in the Old Testament article by Mitchell L. Chase (link to PDF)

Paul and Politics | Acts 25:1-27

In the final chapters of Acts, it is notable how many different political and governmental leaders Paul interacts with. In these interactions, he is able to use the government of the day as a way to advance the gospel while at the same time keeping his primary allegiance to Jesus and the kingdom of God as his priority.

Discussion Questions

1.  “Politics has replaced religion in America.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?

2. Where do you personally trend: overly political or politic-avoidant?

3. Why is it important to remember that Jesus isn’t just the king of one people group or nation, but over the entirety of creation? How does the gospel of the kingdom give us the right perspective on Jesus’ rule and reign?

4. Do your current political interactions with people (in person, social media, etc.) make them desire to be a part of God’s kingdom? How might your political interactions change when you remember your primary citizenship is in heaven?

Prayer Points

• Pray that our church would embody the politics of the kingdom of God, living out the values in the sermon on the mount by God’s grace and empowered by the Spirit.

• Pray that we would be politically engaged as citizens of the kingdom, reaching those who are still captives of the kingdom of darkness with the love of Jesus.

Be Courageous | Acts 22:30-24-27

Discussion Questions

1. How is biblical courage different from what the world depicts as courage? Share scripture passages that reinforce these truths.

2. Recount, share and give thanks to God for His provision of courage during a recent time of difficulty.

3. As Paul was reminded to have courage in Acts 23:11, in what areas of your life do you need a reminder to have courage?

4. Pause and seek the Holy Spirit. How is He calling you to be courageous and what steps can you take to walk in faithfulness?

Prayer Points

• Pray against a “spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7) and pray for God to replace it with His power and courage through the Holy Spirit.

• Pray that God will fill the people of Sound City with courage to proclaim the gospel message to our family, friends, and neighbors.

Back to Jerusalem | Acts 21:1-22:29

Throughout Acts 21, the Holy Spirit speaks to his people through the gift of prophecy. In our modern context, many of us have doubts, fears, and skepticism about this spiritual gift. But when rightly understood, we see that prophecy is a good gift from God to build up his church.

Discussion Questions

1. What personal experiences do you have with more “overt” spiritual gifts like prophecy? How has this affected your view on this important spiritual gift?

2. Why does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 14:1 that we should “eagerly desire” the gift of prophecy? What purpose does this gift serve in the life of the church?

3. Why do gifts like prophecy so often get misused? Why is it so critically important to keep the gospel of Jesus in mind when it comes to exercising this potent gift?

4. In 1 Corinthians 14:23-24, Paul says that prophecy has an important use in evangelism. How can we help each other be prophetic in our witness?

Prayer Points

• Pray that God would raise up leaders who can rightly use the gift of prophecy in our church family. Pray that we would be both bold and humble in our use of this gift.

• Pray that we would all be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and guidance in our interactions with people who need to hear and believe the message of the Gospel.

Full Devotion | Acts 20:1-38

Sermon Description

In Acts 20, we see a long travelogue, a long sermon, and a long elder meeting. Throughout this chapter, Paul and the other missionaries face many challenges and difficulties, but are able to do so because they are fueled by a genuine, joyful, wholehearted devotion to God.

Discussion Questions

1. In your own words, what does it mean to be “devoted” to something? What does it mean to be devoted to Jesus? 

2. How can we help one another cultivate deep thoughtfulness and study in a soundbite culture? 

3. How did Jesus display his devotion to the Father during his earthly life and ministry? How is the devotion of Jesus the fuel for our devotion? 

4. Why is it hard for us to live in the tension between boldness and humility? Why are both essential in the life of a disciple? 

5. How does a devoted heart lead to mission? What happens if we try to go out on mission without a true heart of devotion?

Prayer Points

• Pray Psalm 86:11, that God would give us all undivided hearts, fully devoted to him.

• Pray that our devotion would display in a commitment to going out on mission to a lost and dying world.

The Ephesian Riot | Acts 19:1-41

In Acts 19, Paul’s preaching causes a major disturbance because it affects the financial profits of the idol makers. In this important passage, we see that the words of Jesus were most certainly true: “where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.”

Discussion Questions

1. What was your relationship to money in your family of origin? Was money tight? Was there worship of money? What messages about money did you internalize in your early years?

2. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, but there is often an even deeper love underneath. In your interactions with money, what deeper fears or loves come into play?

3. If we really lived out the gospel we believe, how would that affect the practical realities of life: money, work, relationships, sexuality, entertainment, etc.?

4. Why is the gospel of “God loves you” insufficient on its own? Why is it important to include Jesus’ call to deny ourselves and follow him?

Prayer Points

• Pray that Jesus would give us worship and generous hearts when it comes to money.

• Pray that the gospel we believe would affect not just our hearts, but also the practical realities of our lives. 

• Pray that Jesus would use our generosity to further his kingdom in our region and beyond.

The Quest for Recognition | Acts 18:1-28

Acts 18 moves quickly through a variety of cities, and features a variety of characters. Some, like Paul and Apollos, have front-facing, public leadership roles, while others, like Priscilla and Aquila, have more behind-the-scenes supporting roles. But no matter our role in the family of God, we can be assured that God knows us, loves us, and provides the only recognition that truly matters.

Evangelism Exemplified | Acts 17:1-34

Evangelism can be a loaded phrase in our day and age. Thankfully, in Acts 17 Paul provides us with a picture of evangelism by sharing the gospel in three cities in the ancient world in quick succession. By doing so Paul provides believers with a model of how to evangelize in different contexts and key traits involved in evangelism.

Discussion Questions

1. Does Paul's example of reasoning (inward and outward dialogue so that others might share your beliefs) make you uncomfortable? If so, why?

2. If someone were to ask you to explain the gospel, could you do it? What is it?

3. Have you ever felt deeply distressed by idols being worshiped instead of God? How should we carry this truth into discussing our own heart idol issues with others?

4. In evangelism we must keep Jesus and his resurrection front and center. Who has God put in your life to share the gospel with either recently or on a regular basis?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would lead our church by His Spirit to grow as evangelists.

2. Pray that God would give us the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with others this week.

Jesus Wants to Make You Truly Authentic | Luke 6:43-45

Nobody likes a hypocrite; we agree that authenticity and integrity are important. The problem is everyone is a hypocrite at some level. The good news is Jesus invites hypocrites like you and me to take off our masks and let him change our hearts.

Discussion Questions

1. In this passage, Jesus gives an illustration that explains an important aspect of human nature - why we do what we do. What does he say about the connection between the nature of the trees and the fruit they produce? How does he connect that to our hearts and actions?

2. One pastor described hypocrisy as, “Let’s hide what I’m really like by focusing on what’s wrong with everybody else.” Whether that is intentional or not, we a prone toward distraction or focusing on externals instead of looking at the reality of our own hearts and what we are loving. What has that looked like for you this week?

3. The hope of the Gospel is that not only does Jesus take away our sin but he makes us, as Paul says, new creations. Why is it good news that Jesus isn’t after your resume or report card but, instead, your heart?

Prayer Points

• Humility to see ourselves rightly and to have proper expectations of ourselves and others.

• Freedom and enjoyment of God in knowing he wants us to enjoy him now and forever.

The Body of Christ | Acts 15:36-16:40

Sermon Description

In Acts 15, the question was “how do Jews and Gentiles come together in God’s united family?” Now in Acts 16, the question turns to “what does it look like as this united family continues the work of Jesus ‘to the ends of the earth’?” In this passage, we see that even with our shortcomings, Jesus cares for us as his body.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think God has so closely connected our physicality and our spirituality? How do things like baptism, communion, singing, kneeling, etc. help us connect with God?

2. Of the six aspects listed about the body of Christ—in progress, varied, Spirit-filled, rejoicing, preaching, and wise—which one stands out to you as a strength in your life? Which one stands out as a needed area of growth for you?

3. As you read through Acts 16, how do these positive examples show us more about what Jesus is like? How do these stories help us to focus, ​not​ on the church, but more on Jesus?

4. If we are the body of Christ here on earth, how might that affect the way that you live your life in front of the non-believing world?

Prayer Points

1. Pray that Jesus would help us to grow as a church community to more closely resemble the good aspects of the church highlighted in Acts 16.

2. Pray that we would take seriously our call to be the body of Christ here on earth by proclaiming the gospel and living lives that point to his goodness and love.

For Further Study

The baptism of the Phillipian jailer’s family in Acts 16 is often used by people who support infant baptism. For an explanation of why that isn’t the best way to read Acts 16, please see ​this helpful article from Sam Storms​.

The Jerusalem Council | Acts 15:1-35

As the Apostles take the message of Jesus out to the non-Jewish world, a very important question arises: “how Jewish do these Gentile believers need to be?” In Acts 15, see that identity markers are not what make us right with God; only faith in Jesus does that. But along the way, we learn how important it is to read the Torah rightly, not simply picking and choosing what parts to keep and what parts to discard.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you had discussions with people around the idea that “you Christians pick-and-choose which parts of the Bible to follow”? How did you respond? How is God inviting you to grow in your knowledge of the Scriptures?

2. What identity markers do you love and appreciate about yourself, your family, your “tribe”? Why is it important to remember that, while those may be good and beautiful things, only faith in Jesus matters when it comes to our right standing before God?

3. In the sermon, seven principles were listed when it comes to rightly understanding the Christian’s relationship to the Torah. Which of these made the most sense to you? Which do you need help to understand? Discuss with your group.

4. When it comes to explaining our beliefs in our current secular culture, why is it not enough to simply say “the Bible says”? How can we help each other grow in our ability to explain Christian belief to nonbelievers?

Prayer Points

• Pray that that, as individuals and as a church, we would be deeply shaped by the entire Word of God.

• Pray that we would be effective witnesses for Jesus in a world that increasingly doesn’t understand us.

The Christian Life in Three Dimensions | Acts 14:1-28

As the followers of Jesus expand beyond the region of Judea, they are confronted with new challenges. In all of it, they must learn to balance three critically important areas of focus: engagement with the Holy Spirit, engagement with the culture, and engagement with the local church.

Discussion Questions

1. Of the three focal points highlighted—engagement with the Holy Spirit, mission to the culture, commitment to the local church—which area is strongest for you, and which area is weakest? How can you contribute your strength to the local church? How can you shore up your weakness?

2. When it comes to engaging with The Holy Spirit, what questions or misgivings do you have? How can we help one another cultivate awareness of Holy Spirit?

3. How should the church reflect Jesus himself, when it comes to engagement with The Holy Spirit, mission to our culture, and discipleship in the church? How is the gospel our foundation for life in the church and the world?

4. How can we help each other have fresh eyes when it comes to engaging our culture with the gospel of Jesus?

Prayer Points

• Pray that God would shape into a truly Spirit-reliant church.

• Pray that we would have fresh eyes when it comes to creatively engaging our culture with the gospel.

• Pray that we would be disciples, and make disciples in the context of our local church.