Act(s) Now

The Matters of Evangelism

Acts 17:16-32

(Click here to view special in-sermon video.)

How can we share Christ in a post-Christian culture?

We share Christ when we meet people where they’re at: Contextualizing the message without compromising the message.

Paul slowed down to see people because people

Paul began by building bridges because connection

Paul addressed misconceptions about who God is because truth

Paul challenged them to turn to God because the message

Paul’s method: See people. Build bridges. Know God. Point to Christ.

Take Home Truth: We help people Believe by pointing to the goodness of who God is and what He’s done.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Living Surrendered, Intentional Evangelism.

Act(s) Now

“Pay Attention to Your Attention”

Acts 16:1-15

Paying attention led Paul to an unlikely disciple

Unlikely background

Unlikely conflict

Unlikely results

Paying attention led Paul in an unexpected direction

Unexpected waiting

Unexpected vision

Unexpected conclusion

Paying attention led Paul to an unbelievable conversion

Unbelievable approach

Unbelievable response

Unbelievable invitation

Our addiction to distraction brings about the likely, expected and believable, but following Jesus with full attention on Him brings us to God’s unlikely, unexpected and unbelievable!

Core CHRIST-like Characteristics: Connected to God through the Word & prayer, intentional evangelism, Spirit-led servant, trustworthy steward of God’s resources.

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Begin Life Group with prayer - invite the Holy Spirit to speak and move among you. Ask the Father to give you all the ability to sit at the feet of Jesus and give Him your full attention.

Ice breaker: Those of you old enough to know, share with the younger what it was like to live without seatbelts, airbags, cell phones and computers. What have we gained and what have we lost?

In this text we see the genesis of Paul & Timothy’s relationship. In Paul’s 2 letters to Timothy, we see the heart of his discipleship towards the end of their journey together. Scan both letters to see Paul’s approach to discipling Timothy - what do you learn?

Share a story from your life, or your family's lives regarding waiting. What was your reaction to a closed door from God? Did it resolve or are you still waiting? What have you learned about yourself and the Lord?

God opened Lydia’s heart to respond to the Good News. What fruit came after her “yes” to Jesus? Acts 16:15; 40.

These three stories illustrate the importance of us keeping our full attention on Jesus and what He is doing and then obediently joining Him in that activity. What needs to change in order for our Lord to have your undivided attention throughout the day?

This week you will receive daily prompts to stoke the fires of attention to the work of God around you. As you obey the Spirit’s leading, share your stories with one another, encourage each other and pray for one another!

Act(s) Now

“When cowards become courageous”

Acts 4:13

A courageous life begins with:

 

 

The courage to believe.

The courage to proclaim.

The courage to be filled.

The courage to act now.

Godly courage is born in the joy that Jesus is alive

God loves to use the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary.

 

 

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

What is one of your favorite comeback stories? What moves you about it?

What did you hear from God as we opened the Word? How did He speak to you?

What specific actions/attitudes did Peter and John display that made the leaders classify them as courageous? How can we also display these in our own walk with Jesus?

How does this dramatic shift in Peter and John encourage you about your own potential for growth and change?

Over and over God uses ordinary men and women to accomplish his purposes. How does that encourage you to step out into faith? What specific area do you feel God is calling you to be bold in?

How can people recognize that you have “been with Jesus”? What changes do you need to make to better reflect His presence in you?

Read 2 Cor. 12:9. Can you share a personal example of how Gods power was made perfect in weakness in your life?

CHRISTlike Characteristic: Spirit-led Servant/Living Surrendered

Moved to Awe

Act(s) Now

 Acts 5:1-11

The move of God challenges our paradigms.

Our sin stands in opposition to God’s move. Ananias and Sapphira…

…tried to build their own kingdom through deceit and hypocrisy.

…followed Satan’s influence, but Ananias’ leadership.

…decided to provoke

 

Paradigm Shift #1: Remember the gravity of sin.

God’s move confronts sin among His people.

God hates sin because God loves

Paradigm Shift #2: From “God is tame” to “God is holy.”

Paradigm Shift #3: From “Why them?” to “Why not me?”

Take Home Truth: God’s move should cause us to live our lives in awe of God’s grace.

Act(s) Now

There is No Such Thing as a Coincidences

Acts 16:16-40

 

NOTES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Group Questions:

What stood out from the message?

Do you have a story of a time you were in the right place at the right time?

Sometimes life just happens. Ever feel like that? Unpack!

What does it look like to praise God through trials?

How did Paul and Silas handle the trial they faced?

How did God use their circumstance?

Every circumstance is an opportunity for God to change someone’s life. How should that impact our perspective?

How does God's sovereignty play a role in our circumstances?

Act(s) Now

“A Day in the Life”

Acts 16:16-40

A place of prayer

Shouting

“These men are servants of the Most High, telling you the way to be saved”

A marketplace

Attack

“These men are Jews…advocating customs unlawful for us Romans…”

A prison

Adoration

“About midnight…praying and singing…and the other prisoners were listening”

A home

Hope

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” | “Believe in the Lord Jesus”

An exit

Refusal

“No! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”

A church

Encouragement

“They met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them”

“Who are you?”

“I am a son of the Living God, and Jesus is His name!”

- The Insanity of God, Nik Ripken

Core CHRIST-like Characteristics: Loving God, Loving People, Living Surrendered - it’s all here in this account!

 

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Begin Life Group with prayer - invite the Holy Spirit to speak and move among you.

Ice breaker: What is the craziest day you’ve had recently, or ever? Tell the story of your epic “day in the life”

For Paul and Silas, that day was supposed to be the place of prayer then back to the church gathering place at Lydia’s yet the unexpected occurred. How do you deal with what God knows is coming and we see as an interruption?

Have you ever been attacked based on your ethnicity and/or religion? How did you deal with it?  What did you learn?  How does Paul’s instruction to these very believers in Philippi, years later, give us some clues: Philippians 4:4-9

Adoration of our Lord in the dark night of suffering is not something that comes naturally. Neither does a firm stance in the face of opposition. How does one do this?! How was Jesus a model for Paul & Silas and us? (from our daily devos: Mark 14:26, 32-42, 60-62; Luke 22:49-51)

In the jail scene - who was the true captive - the Jewish duo or the jailer? How can we see people differently so that we view their own captivity with compassion and prayer and conversation?

In this story, the jailer “believed” - this is one of our 5 B’s! How did Paul and Silas live out the other B’s in other parts of the story - (Build, Bring, Belong, Believe, Become). Look for “fulfilling the mission” for more on the B’s = https://opendoor.tv/about/

End your time asking Jesus to open your eyes to how you live your days! Ask Him to bring the place of prayer more into your routine, to prepare you for the unexpected moments in the marketplace, to fill you with His Spirit to be a witness of prayer and song in the dark times of seeming bondage and to use you to bring freedom to others through Jesus alone and encourage them in their growth making you a discipler!  That’s a lot, but let’s follow Jesus well and ask so we might receive!

“Staying strong in the struggle”

Acts 16:22-34

Act(s) now series

 

NOTES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTERISTICS: all of them! Can you name them and explain how they all show up?

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS:

What is a favorite memory of your Father?

What were your first thoughts from the sermon? How did God speak to you as we opened His Word?

 

The Bible is full of stories of Godly men and women facing beatings, torture and imprisonment and they maintain their faith. Why do believers today often still choose to doubt or walk away from God during struggles? What practical steps can we take to maintain our faith when we face injustice or suffering?

 

How can engaging in worship rather than worry help us stay faithful during our own challenging circumstances?

 

Paul and Silas chose to stay even when it seemed like God had provided a way of escape. How can we discern when to wait on God’s timing rather than taking immediate action in difficult situations?

Paul and Silas’ faith led to the jailer and his household being saved. What is a relationship or situation that you may be trying to escape that God is calling you to remain faithful and stay to influence others for the kingdom?

Act(s) Now

Hopeful in the Horrible

Acts 6:1 - 7:60

 

The Horrible emerges from a superficial story (Acts 6:39; 51-53)

The set-up (Acts 6:9-15)

The stoning (Acts 7:54-60)

Hope in the Horrible comes from the ability to see the story behind the story (Acts 6:15;7:55,60)

See the move of God (Acts 7:55)

See the pattern of resistance (Acts 7:51-53)

See yourself in the story (Acts 7:55,56)

Seeing comes from filling

Pursue things that eternally matter

Grace (Acts 6:8)

Wisdom (Acts 6:3)

Power (Acts 6:8)

Faith (Acts 6:5)

Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3,5; 7:55)

Filling begins with transformation

You must be born again (John 3:3)

By Grace (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9)

Filling continues with sanctification

Know Christ (Philippians 3:8)

Connect to what the Lord has given to know Him more (Ps 119; Matt 6:9-13; Heb 10:25)

If Christlikeness is your goal, you will not fail

Followers of Christ are filled to persist

The unfortunate declaration (2 Timothy 3:12)

We desire stones that make us known (Acts 6:3)

The reality is that some stones will be thrown

Built to last

Grace - a forgiving heart

Wisdom - connect the dots to see the Savior

Power - courage to speak

Faith - seeing with the spiritual eye

Holy Spirit - enlightened and guided to an ultimate place of safety

Persistence in Christ leads to promotion of Christ

The story is not about Stephen

The story is about Stephen’s Savior

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Icebreaker: What is the headline of your week?

What is one thing that stuck out to you from the sermon?

In what ways are you actively pursuing Christ?

How does the priority of pursuing Christ change our outlook on things that are “Christian”? Ie. church attendance, prayer, reading your Bible

Can you identify an area of your life where persecution has or is most likely to occur? How have you prepared for it?

What was meant by seeing the story behind the story? Why is that important in a believer’s life?

How does persistence in Christ lead to promotion of Christ?

What is one area that Stephen was filled with that you would desire more?

Act(s) Now

To Whom Much Is Given…

Acts 3:1-10

  

God places disciples where there is work to be done.

God’s mission takes place both at the ends of the earth and here and now.

God’s mission takes place both as we gather and as we scatter.

God gives disciples opportunities for the mission to advance. We respond faithfully when we…

notice the people that God has put in our path.

understand what we have in Christ.

trust that God is at work, and that God is able.

direct all the glory to God.

 

Take Home Truth: God gives us Jesus so that He can give us opportunities to share Him with others.

Act(s) Now

God’s “Plan A”

Acts 2:42-47

 

 

What are the ordinary rhythms that God wants to use in the Church to impact the world?

Faithful teaching: Church life is formed by a hunger for God’s Word and a love for Christ.

Deep fellowship: Church life includes hunger for shared life with one another.

 

 

Celebrating communion: Church life is fueled by hunger for God’s presence.

Missional prayer: Church life is dominated by a hunger to see God move.

 

 

Take Home Truth: The Church accomplishes God’s mission only when it learns to cooperate with God’s Spirit.