What tends to discourage you in your Christian walk? Opposition? Friends and loved ones who are unmoved by the Gospel? Feeling all alone? The daily burdens of life? The feeling that you are not making the impact that you would like? Etc? In the past, what has God used to encourage you and keep you […]

Enablement in Jesus’ miraculous commands Peter walked on the water (Matthew 14:24-31) Healing of man with withered hand (Luke 6:6-11) Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11:43-44) Enablement in Jesus’ requirements for believers Jesus satisfied God’s justice on our behalf (the gospel) That we bear much fruit (John 15) That we take His yoke upon […]

How does Paul’s message to the Areopagus here compare to his message in the synagogue in Antioch (Acts 13)? How does he accommodate the message to his audience? What changes in his approach do you see? What remains the same? How does Paul respond to the culture and beliefs of Athens? How would you describe […]

What role should the intellect and reason play when we are seeking to share the Gospel with those who do not yet believe? What role should our mind play once we have trusted Jesus Christ? Practically, what is involved in loving God with “all our mind”? Evangelicals are often accused of being “anti-intellectual” – do […]

Lydia was successful, affluent, and moral, yet Luke shows us that she still needed to hear and believe the Gospel. The slave girl was impoverished and in physical and spiritual bondage – at the opposite end of the spectrum from Lydia. The jailer, likely a retired Roman soldier, finds himself about to lose his job […]

What are some of the causes of conflict among believers? Is conflict between believers always sinful? How should we respond when we find ourselves in a “sharp disagreement” with another Christian? In this particular conflict, who was correct – Paul or Barnabas? Despite the interpersonal conflicts that can arise when working with others, Paul doesn’t […]

What distortions of the Gospel do you see among churches today? What are some requirements, in addition to faith, that certain churches or individuals think are necessary in order for us to be saved and accepted by God? Personally, are there any requirements you are adding to simple faith in order to feel accepted by […]

What are some of the essential ingredients in effective communication? What common ground do believers have with unbelievers? In your circle of friends and acquaintances, what things are they counting on to provide them with a life worth living? How does the Gospel speak to those desires? St. Francis supposedly said, “Preach the Gospel at […]

How does Paul’s message here to a Jewish audience compare to his message to a Gentile audience in Athens in Acts 17:22-34? How does his use of Scripture differ? How does he seek to connect with his audience? What are the similarities? Which of these approaches do you think best fits sharing our faith with […]