Discussion Questions

Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

• A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

• A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

• An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Swedish Method of Bible Study:

While reading a Bible passage, use the following symbols to mark what stands out to you as you read. Then talk about the marks you made with a friend, or write about them in a journal.

•  A lightbulb - anything from the passage that stands out or is interesting.

•  A question mark - did the passage spark any questions?

•  An arrow - how does this passage help you move forward in faith and walk in better relationship with others and the Lord?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

When your loving, hopeful life provides an opportunity, be ready to share the gospel.

Digging Deeper    

A loving life (vv. 8-12)

1. In this passage, Peter calls us, as believers, to have a unifying and affectionate love for one another (v. 8).  Gospel Communities are intended to be “a family of disciples on mission” who, among other things, have a “unifying and affectionate love for one another.”  What do you feel could be done to see this love be sustained and grow in Gospel Community?

2. Among followers of Jesus, we may have lots of differences and yet, in Christ, have common ground in the most important matters. What has been your experience of this sort of Christian unity? Have you seen God knit your heart to another brother or sister in Christ with whom you might not have a lot in common (on a merely human level)? Please share.

3. Our love for one another inside the church is actually one of the most powerful things we can do for people outside it. Have you ever seen (or experienced) Christian community that made someone on the outside stop and ask questions?

4. Verses 9b - 12 are intended by Peter to help motivate us to, instead of repaying evil for evil, bless and do good to those who mistreat us. What specifically in these verses do you find helpful in motivating you to live the sort of life Peter is calling us to live?    

A ready response (vv. 13 - 17)

5. The sermon describes a progression — trust, live out, speak, and now share — where the gospel moves from inside us, outward to the church, and then out to the world. Does that progression feel natural to you, or does it feel like a big jump when it gets to sharing? What makes that last step feel different?

6. “A different hope will shape a distinctive life, which will get questions for which we need a ready response.”  What are some of the ways you would say your life is distinctive from people who do not believe in Jesus because of your hope in Christ? 

7. If someone in your life asked you today, "Why are you the way you are?" — what would you say? Take a shot at it together as a group.

8. Think of one person in your life who doesn't know Jesus — a neighbor, coworker, family member, friend. Without sharing too much detail, what's one word that describes how you feel when you think about having a spiritual conversation with them?

9. To what degree would you say you are ready to speak of Christ and his saving work in your life with someone who might ask you about “the hope that is in you”?  

10. If you don’t feel ready to do so, what might be a good next step toward becoming more ready? 

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

Pursue gospel-powered transformation by speaking and singing it to one another.

I. The whole church is responsible for keeping the gospel abundantly central     (v. 16a)

II. We do this as we speak it to one another variously and wisely (v. 16b)

III. A primary way we speak it is our Sunday morning singing (v. 16c) 

Digging Deeper    

The whole church is responsible for keeping the gospel richly central (v. 16a)

1. Paul tells the whole church to let the word of Christ "dwell richly" among them. What do you think it would look like on Sunday morning or in Gospel Community to take shared responsibility for keeping the gospel central? What would that require from each of us? 

2. Do you have a time and place to get alone with God in his Word on a regular basis? What does that look like for you? 

3. Meditating on God’s word goes beyond simply reading it, but “chewing” on it, reflecting on it, letting it sink in. How might you grow in this?    

4. Sadly, instead of the gospel dwelling richly in us, other rivals can occupy that space in our minds and hearts (e.g. - what we take in from YouTube, cable news, movies, advice from well-meaning friends, etc.). How might we determine (with one another’s help) if this is true of us? If it is, what might intentional fighting and guarding against this look like for you? 

We do this as we speak it to one another variously and wisely. (v. 16b)

5. What might it look like for you to more regularly remind those around you of truth from God’s Word (and in so doing do what v.16b calls us to do: “teaching …. one another”)?

6. Please share an example (with appropriate anonymity) of a time that you admonished a friend or a friend admonished you, and God clearly used it for good. 

A primary way we speak it is in our Sunday morning singing. (v. 16c)

7. What do you think about this idea that one of the ways we teach and admonish one another is through “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to God” as we gather on Sunday mornings?  

8. Given this reality (of #7 above), are there ways we might take our responsibility (and joy) of corporate singing more seriously? How so?  

9. Gospel-powered transformation happens as we speak and sing the gospel to one another. Think of a fellow believer in your life, who you know is enduring some sort of trial / challenge. What truth do they need to be reminded of?  How might you be a means of grace in their life by reminding them of this truth?  When are you going to do this? 

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

If you have been joined to Christ, live out this new reality.

(1-4) Grounded Command: Shift your gaze because you are joined to Christ

(5-11) Shift your gaze by putting your old, earthly self to death.

(12-15) Shift your gaze by putting on godliness 

Digging Deeper    

1. This passage commands us to shift our gaze to things above. What does your gaze tend to settle on (or what do you tend to focus on) that you need to shift it away from?

2. Quietly reflect on the sins in verses 5, 8-9. Are there any you continue to struggle with and hope to change?

3. What would you say to a Christian who looks at these commands and says, "But that’s just the way I am!” (i.e., “I just have a short fuse”)?

4. None of us - even the most mature Christians - properly shift our gaze away from the world all the time. When we fail, where can we find encouragement?

5. God expects us to live out our Christian reality in community. What ways can you engage with your church and Gospel Community to help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

6. Which of the traits of godliness in verses 12-15 do you need to “put on” and let into your life more (or shift your gaze to)?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

The glory of the gospel is God's saving righteousness, given by faith.

I. The good news reveals the gift of God’s righteousness (v. 17a)

II. The gift is received by faith alone (v. 17b)

III. This makes the gospel God's saving power (v. 16b)

IV. News this good and powerful we should rejoice in without shame (v. 16a) 

Digging Deeper    

1. Read verses 13-15 of Romans 1. How are they important for understanding verses 16-17?

2. What are some ideas about or ways of understanding “the gospel” that are incorrect? What, really, is the gospel?

3. How have you been tempted to “move beyond” the gospel? What can keep you from falling into that trap?

4. How has your life been shaped by the gospel message that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and not the other way around? 

5. Why is it that people can so easily put faith in other things, but not in Jesus? How might we leverage the message of this passage to show people why faith in God is a good thing?

6. It can be easy to inadvertently turn faith into a kind of “work.” What gives us confidence that we are still saved even if our faith wavers?

7. Share about a person who trusted in Christ whom you thought would never believe. What does this show about God’s power through the Gospel?

8. Where in your life do you struggle to forgive or give grace to yourself? How does trusting the Gospel transform that reality?

9. “The fuel of the Christian life isn’t fear of punishment. The fuel is love that comes from beholding how he has loved us.” What fuels you as a Christian, if not love? 

10. Share about a time when you tried to evangelize, and it went poorly, or you struggled with confidence. How might you grow in sharing the gospel without being ashamed?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

God saves us to be a growing, loving, infectious community.

3 things the passage shows us about the church's new life in the gospel:

1) Their commitment

2) Their love

3) Their witness 

Digging Deeper    

Their commitment: They devoted themselves to God and one another.

1. We see that these new believers in Acts 2 have not only a new faith in Christ but also new priorities. What are some of the concrete ways your priorities changed when God saved you?    

2. The believers described in this passage “devoted themselves” to the four things mentioned in v. 42 (1. the apostle’s teaching, 2. fellowship, 3. the breaking of bread, 4. the prayers).  Is this passage descriptive (i.e., telling us history) or prescriptive (i.e., telling us what to do)?  If it is (merely) descriptive, does that mean “devoting ourselves” to the things mentioned here is optional for us? Please support your answer.   

3. In our current context, what might “devoting ourselves” to these four things look like?  

4. What sort of impact do you think it might have on your life if you were to pursue these things (of v. 42) to a greater degree? What is keeping you from doing so? 

Their Love: They sacrificially cared for each other with worshipful hearts

5. The believers' love for one another produced profound generosity. Is there an example you can share (either from your own life or from someone you know) of this same dynamic? Please share. 

6. Are there ways you would like to see our life together as the people of CrossWay Community Church (or as a Gospel Community) more closely resemble what we see here in Acts 2? How so?  Please share. 

Their Witness: Others were drawn in as they lived out the gospel

7. Gospel-generated change in our lives can be something God uses in the process of drawing people to himself. Does that reality motivate you to pursue holiness, that others might “see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”?  Please share. 

8. In what contexts of your life are there opportunities for unbelievers to see how Christ has changed you and is changing you?  

9. How might you create more of these opportunities (#8 above)?  

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

God forgives and gives his Spirit to all who turn to the exalted Christ.

I. The power: the promised Spirit has come (vv. 1-13)

II. The message: the crucified Jesus is King (vv. 14-36)

III. The response: repent and be forgiven and filled (vv. 37-41)

Digging Deeper    

The power: the promised Spirit has come (vv. 1-13) 

1. In Acts 2:1-13, we see God empowering his people by the Spirit to preach the gospel (declare the mighty works of Jesus’ death and resurrection) across language barriers, that he might clearly show that the gospel is for everyone. What are some reasons we should rejoice and be thankful that God’s saving purposes through the Gospel are global (“every tribe, tongue, people and nation”)?   

2. Acts 2:1-13 shows us that one of the things God wants to empower his people for, by the Spirit, is to speak about Jesus to others. Have you ever sensed the Spirit of God empowering you to bear witness to Christ?  If so, please share that story.

3. What might it look like for you to seek a greater degree of the Spirit’s empowerment to bear witness to “the mighty works of God” as seen in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection?  

4. What do you think might be some potential fruit of pursuing #3 above?   

The message: the crucified Jesus is King (vv. 14-36) 

5. This sermon helped us see from these verses (2:14-36) that Jesus is Lord in the fullest, truest sense: he is God himself; he is Christ, the King, who has been exalted to the right hand of God. Is there any sphere of your life in which you are less inclined to be mindful that Jesus is King and acknowledge him as such?  

6. As Lord and King, Jesus is worthy of our absolute allegiance. What is a recent example of a choice you have made because of your allegiance to King Jesus? 

The response: repent and be forgiven and filled (vv. 37-41) 

7. The way we receive the free gift of forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit is by repentance. Do you remember the first time you repented? What did that look like?  Please share.

8. What place does repentance have in your life currently? 

9. Have you been baptized (as a believer)?  If you have, please briefly share your baptism story.  

10. If you have not been baptized (as a believer) - why haven’t you?  

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

Jesus' empowered people must proclaim his forgiving fulfillment to all nations.

I. Jesus' resurrection was persuasively physical (vv. 36-43)

II. His forgiving fulfillment must be proclaimed to all nations (vv. 44-49)

III. This proclamation proceeds from joyful worship (vv. 50-53)

Digging Deeper    

1. Does the resurrection of Jesus ever feel “too good to be true” to you? How is this passage reassuring when we feel this way?

2. If the resurrection is true, the implications for how we live our lives are huge. What - specifically - does Jesus’s resurrection mean for you today?

3. Pick one of the Old Testament passages pointing to Christ mentioned in the sermon (Genesis 3, Exodus 12, Isaiah 53, Psalm 22). Spend some time reflecting on how it connects us to the Gospel.

4. When thinking about the task Jesus gives to us - proclaiming the forgiveness of sins that he offers to the nations - we may feel weak. But Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us to aid us in power to spread the Gospel everywhere. What needs and weaknesses do you need to trust the Spirit to supply in your life?

5. Spend some time thinking about people for whom God has laid a burden on your heart. Are you called to go and spread the good news of Jesus somewhere else? If so, where? If not, where - and to whom - in your spheres of influence are you called to proclaim it? Be specific.

6. How can we grow in making our “joyful worship” of God visible to the world, which needs to see our love for him?

7. When we go through hard seasons trying to follow Jesus, what truths from his word - especially in the Gospel of Luke - can help us endure and continue to trust his plan?

8. After Jesus ascended and blessed the disciples, they returned to the temple, blessing him. What blessings of God can you respond to in praise today? (think not only in physical/material terms, but also spiritual).

9. Where and how can we, as a Gospel Community - a family of disciples sent by God on mission to the world - proclaim Jesus’s forgiving fulfillment by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer