^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2. Deacons

Acts 6:2-6

2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

READ 1 Timothy 3:8-13 TOGETHER

Over the last two weeks Pastor Gary and Pastor Vaughn have preached about Stephen and Philip as Deacons from Acts 6-8. These two men of God enter and exit the bible quickly but their roles and impact have lasting impact. They are presented as very strong, courageous, determined and faithful men and at the same time tender and kind distributing food to widows and raising daughters.

How do you imagine Stephen and Philip transitioned from newly converted followers of Jesus into Deacons and how do you imagine they transitioned from Deacons into Evangelists and Healers? What are the qualifications for Deacons? What did Deacons do in the early church? How important or significant are Deacons today in the church and why or why not? How should Deacons be viewed by the other men, women, and children in the church? (Group Discussion)

3. Not The Way You Planned It

Acts 1:7-8

7 Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn talked about how excited the Disciples must have been to know they were going to receive power and be witnesses of the love and power of Jesus locally, regionally, and to the ends of the earth. The problem presented itself when the transition from local to regional ministry turned out to be through persecution as Christians were running for their lives while transitioning from Jerusalem into Judea & Samaria. Elsewhere in the scriptures we read that walls literally came crashing down on the enemies of God's children as they prayed and the transition into victory & promises were claimed with ease.

Share 1 easier/blessed transition in your life? Share 1 difficult/burdensome transition in your life? (Each Individual)

Looking back, does ease or difficulty determine whether or not God was involved in our transitions? What are some of the things God may be doing in some of the most difficult transitions in our lives? What are some of the things God may be doing in some of the easiest transitions in our lives? How can we know the difference between God, sin, or satan's involvement when it comes to a particular section of our journey and be able to move forward with confidence whether it is a seemingly easy or difficult road ahead of us? (Group Discussion)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!