Summary: Life is constant flux, and we all must react to change – how do we do so as disciples of Jesus?  Further, what does an adaptive church look like?

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time you walked through major change in your life?  How did you respond?  Which image do you most identify with – the  boogie board wipe out, the rock, the buoy… or something else?

2. An Adaptive Church (and person!) still needs to make plans.  How do we go about making plans that are wise and

3. How do we respond when God is doing something?  Are we looking for Him?

4.  Do you know how to listen for God?  Do you want to grow in this?  What steps can you take toward this end?

Summary: Jesus is the Head of the Church, and He has given it a type of leadership that is different from the world’s expectations.  A plurality of Elders are key for the church in action.

1. What are the challenges to understanding and receiving a biblical view of church leadership?

2. A Church in Action needs good leadership in order to move forward in sync.  What is one image the Bible uses to describe the church and its leadership that contrasts with “organization”?

3.  Read carefully through Acts 20:17-38 and the 7 principles of leadership in Action Bill drew from this passage: What would be possible impacts if and as the church is led in this way?  Can you apply these in your setting?

Summary: The gospel of Jesus makes a splash in lives and the ripple effects continue to affect us for a lifetime. The church has good news that is speaks to physical and spiritual needs.

1. As you reflect on your own faith, what person/people made the biggest splash in your life?

2. Were there specific areas we covered today (physical/spiritual/calamity) where you could make a splash in the life of another person/people?

3. In what ways have you underestimated the power of the gospel in your life?  Can you name them?  Purpose to confess this to your Dgroup.

4. Reflect on ways you’ve been persecuted for your faith.  Was there fear generated more from actual physical persecution or what you perceived “might” happen to you?  Brainstorm ways in your life where you can offer the good news to the need around you.

5. What will be the thing that moves you from shrinking back with your witness to “getting back up” and going into the city?

Summary:  Thanks be to God for 30 years!  Our prayer is that He will just be getting started among us.  What are the distinguishing marks necessary for our church in the coming years?

Reflection Questions:

1.  Discipline of gratitude: Remember one way God has worked in your life in and through the CCC family.

2. Discipline of faith: In what ways might God call you to radical generosity, hospitality or mutual dependence in the coming days?

3. Where does Christian Perseverance come from?  What does it look like? (1 Corinthaisn15:57-58)

Summary:  The message of grace comes to Iconium with both grace and power, challenging human tradition and creating a divide in the city.  And yet, the church thrives.  What type of culture enables a church to thrive in hostile settings?

1. Does the gospel of Jesus still push against your status quo?

2. Have you ever encountered resistance or hostility because of the gospel?  What was going on in your mind and heart?  What did you take away from that experience?

3. What does it mean to welcome the message of grace?  How can we do that together?  Why is the cross offensive (Gal 5:11)?

4.  What are ways we can stand ready, together, for hostility against our faith in Jesus?

Summary:  In the Antioch church we see a church on the move, directed by the Spirit as a new people united in mission.  What happens after the initial burst of gospel-fire?  The steady flame of a faithful church.

1. Do you find yourself assuming God is only at work in the exuberant bursts of his Spirit and not in the day to day process of life?  How can you recognize his faithfulness in all seasons?

2. What is faithfulness?  As it’s applied to God?  To people? What are some biblical examples?

3. What are the signs of a faithful church?  How could we work together to continue to persevere into God’s call for us?

Summary:  In the Antioch church we see a church on the move, directed by the Spirit as a new people united in mission.  The same Spirit directs us today.  Could God not also use us?

1.  Do you have a sense of call that is lying dormant?  What passions and talents do you have that God might have given you the glory of his name?  Are they being used?

2. What’s holding you back from stepping out on mission?  Are you living expectantly?

3. Have you faced resistance before when seeking to obey the Lord’s will?  What type of resistance do you anticipate if you step out into uncharted waters?

4.  Who could you work with?

Summary:  By raising Jesus from the dead, God has fulfilled promises for us and made promises to us.  He changes our today and changes our tomorrow.

1.  Can you think of broken promises from your past, made to you or by you, that have left their hurtful mark?  How does it impact you that God always keeps His promises?

2. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus, we have a new TODAY, marked by His reign and His Spirit.  Are you living in this new day, or in the trappings of yesterday?  In what ways?

3. In raising Jesus, God also makes a promise to us.  What is it?  How does it impact us?

Summary:  God is from everlasting to everlasting and sees the world differently than us, we who are too often spiritually near-sighted.

1.  When we function as spiritually near-sighted, we often viewing the world through a lens that inflates or a perspective that says life is pointless.  Do you tend toward one of these directions?  How so?

2. What is our response to the fact that God WILL accomplish his purposes?  Do we try to wrest control?

3. God works through humans, yet takes the long view of generations.  What does our faithfulness look like in light of this truth?  How can we use our gifts and spend our time?