The Epilogue A few final thoughts, including thoughts on what’s next. Discussion / Reflection: 1) What are some key takeaways from Acts as a whole? 2) What is next for you in your study of the Bible? 3) Who can you invite to read with you?
The End(s of the Earth) This is the end. In the end, how do I know that I have done well? At the end of a season or the end of life, how do we know if we have done well? Here’s the odd ending of Acts. Discussion / Reflection: 1) How do you typically evaluate how “well” you have done? 2) What seasons of your life would you view differently if you evaluated them through the lens of your faithfulness? 3) Are there changes that need to happen in your life to make sure this season is being lived well?
The Storm Paul finds himself in a storm and I’m reminded of one of the core truths of my life: the storm around you does not have to become a storm within you. Discussion / Reflection: 1) What are the storms around you right now? 2) How are the storms getting you back on track (like Jonah) and how are they standing between you and where you need to be (like Paul)? 3) Are the storms around you becoming storms within you? If so, how will you pause today to allow God to calm the storms within you? Holy Spirit, Breath of God Breath into me, transform me
The Foundation What are the number one things we believe and do? Paul shows us both in Acts 26. Here are two important reminders of our foundation. Discussion / Reflection: 1) Why do you believe in the resurrection? 2) Who do you want to help believe in Jesus? 3) How would you tell someone else about your faith? What’s your elevator speech for why you believe? (1 Peter 3:15).
Platforms Want to know your purpose? First, answer this question: What’s your platform? We all have places we have been placed to make an impact. What are yours? Discussion/ Reflection: 1) What are your platforms? 2) What good can you accomplish from those platforms? Might this be a part of your purpose? 3) Who are you uniquely positioned to bless? Holy Spirit, Breath of God Breath into me, transform me
Kicked If you’ve got the guts to get in the arena, you’re going to get kicked in those guts every now and then. If you’re going to have the guts to follow Jesus, the same thing is going to happen to you. Why is following Jesus fully so offensive to people? Acts 24 reminds us. Discussion / Reflection: 1) Who have you seen get beat up in the arena? 2) Have there been times when you have followed Jesus even in the midst of pushback? 3) In what areas do you need to be encouraged to follow Jesus even though it is hard? Holy Spirit, Breath of God Breath into me, transform me
The Difference If you want to make a difference, you have to be different. How are Christian different? Here’s one way. Discussion / Reflection: 1) What kind of difference are you hoping to make? 2) How are you living differently in order to make a difference? 3) Are there means you are using to accomplish your goals that are “out of bounds” as a Christian?
My Enemies What do I do with my enemies? Here’s a small detail in Acts that will help us... Discussion / Reflection: 1) Who is an “enemy” for me? Someone with whom there is a degree of hostility. 2) Is there anything I need to repent of and/or ask for forgiveness of? 3) Is there anything I need to forgive this person for? If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18
The Arrest Paul says, ‘I can do all things through Chris who gives me strength.’ But, what does that mean? There are plenty of things I’m not able to do. Is there something wrong with me or something wrong with the scripture? Or, maybe Paul meant something different than we think... Discussion/ Reflection: 1) What are some of your highest highs and lowest lows? 2) How has God given you strength at the top and at the bottom? 3) How will you rely on God’s strength in whatever situation you were thinking of?
It’s Your Life It’s your life, what are you going to do with it? Paul became a remarkably selfless man. How? Here’s a little insight from Acts 20. Discussion / Reflection: 1) How does selfishness play a role in your life? 2) What’s a practical step you can take to make your life less about you? 3) Why do you think joy comes when we stop making our lives about ourselves?
Knowing the Spirit It is possible to believe in Jesus and not know the Holy Spirit. Many of us are just scratching the surface, friends. Discussion / Reflection: 1) Do you ever pray to the Holy Spirit? 2) What is intimidating about praying to the Holy Spirit? 3) How are you growing right now? Holy Spirit, Breath of God Breath info me, transform me
Strengthened What are you taking seriously right now? Anything you take seriously takes time. Is it time to take some time to take your faith more seriously? Discussion / Reflection: 1) What are you taking seriously right now? 2) What would it look like to take your faith more seriously? 3) Are there things you need to spend less time focused on in order to spend more time focused on spiritual growth? Another way to put that: Are there things you need to take LESS seriously in order to take Jesus MORE seriously?
The Misperception What do you think about when you think about God? In Acts 17 Paul goes after one of the most common misperceptions about God, both in his day and in ours. Discussion / Reflection: 1) What do you think about when you think about God? 2) How does Paul’s argument change your understanding of God? 3) Why is it important to see God as more than a great being within creation?
Getting Personal What makes your faith personal? Here’s a look at what makes Jesus so compelling for one man. Reflection / Discussion: 1) What has God done / is God doing in your life? 2) How would you sum up what makes your faith personal for you? 3) Is there someone you need to share your story with this week?
Where to Go? Here’s a question I am getting: how did the apostles know where to go / how do we know where to go? Great question. We go after that here. Discussion / Reflection 1) Have you ever had a clear sense that God was giving you a red light or a green light? 2) When have you had to make a big decision and trust that God was with you? 3) Do you have any big decisions you need to make right now? How are you opening up to God’s guidance?
