Fletcher Church

Following Jesus Requires That You Cultivate Courage…

I. Take Small Steps Toward Deliberate Discomfort! (17-26)

II. Remember Who You Are and Whom You Serve! (27-32)

III. Joyfully Accept the Consequences & Stay Zeroed in on the Mission! (33-42)

Practical Implications

o What are a few baby steps you can take to stretch your courage?

o What causes you to shrink back from sharing what you have seen?

o How are you responding to suffering and persecution? What might joyful obedience look like for you?

Gospel Community takes Generosity and Purity Seriously . . .

I. Gospel Community is Enhanced by Shared Lives, Generosity and Genuineness! (4:32-37)

II. Gospel Community is Threatened by Impurity and Image without Substance! (1-11)

III. Gospel Generosity is both a Duty and a Delight! (2 Cor 8-9)

Practical Implications

o How are you presently fighting sin in your life? How are you helping others fight theirs?

o What is your current state of gospel generosity?

o Take the One Month Worshipful Giving Challenge:

The Spirit Birthed Church is a Vibrant community that Values:

I. Discipleship in Community: Jesus being Formed in us and Shown Through us! (41-42)

II. Shared Life in Community: Shared Meals, Open Homes and Generosity! (42b, 44-46)

III. Witness through Community: Offer a Taste of Belonging to those Far from God! (43, 46, 47)

Practical Implications

o Using “love Jesus, like Jesus, about others” framework: what areas encouraging in life now? Needing growth?

o What is your next step in shared life and hospitality?

o How can your relational community invite others in?

You Can Know for Certain that Jesus is both Lord &

I. Because He Sent the Holy Spirit Just Like He Promised! (14-21)

II. Because Jesus’ Resurrection Fulfilled Scripture and was Confirmed by Eyewitnesses! (22-36)

III. Requiring a Response to Humble Surrender to His

Practical Implications

o  In what ways are you quenching the Spirit? Developing sensitivity to the Spirit?

o  Do an inventory of your heart: Where is Jesus not Lord?

o  How can you move toward one person to Listen, Engage, & Invite to follow Jesus?

The Coming of the Spirit Gives Birth to the Church . . .

I. Listen to the Message: Supernatural Sign Marks the New Age of Christ! (1-4, 10)

II. It’s For you and All Peoples: The Global Audience for the Gospel! (5-10)

III. A Response is Required: Some are Open and Some Reject! (6-7, 12-13)

Practical Implications

o How can you create opportunities for sharing with others?

o What “differences” may the Spirit be breaking down in your heart?

o How can you prepare for the Supper?

Bear Witness to Jesus . . .

I. Watch out for Distractions! (6-7)

II. We have Power for the Task Jesus left us! (8)

III. We have a Future Hope to Motivate us Today! (9-11)

Practical Implications

o Where are you tempted to get stuck in the here and now kingdom?

o How can we practically cultivate life in the Spirit that leads to witness?

o How does the return of Christ encourage you?

Acts of the Holy Spirit to Bring a Taste of God’s Expanding Kingdom to a Fallen World . . .

I. The King: Resurrected Christ

II. The Message of the Kingdom: Founding Documents

III. Kingdom Citizens: Believing Church

IV. The Kingdom’s Experience:

V. The Kingdom’s Opposition:

Practical Implications

o Have you Repented and Believed the Gospel?

o What is your next step as a citizen?

o How can you begin praying about a church plant?

Relationships are God’s Primary Context for Growth . . .

I. The Necessity of Relationships for Growth and Change! (24)

II. The Goal of Relationships of Growth and Change! (24)

III. Key Qualities of Relationships of Growth and Change! (25)

Practical Implications

o Embrace Relational-Discipleship Values (For the Glory of God:

1. Openness- Know and be Known

2. Prioritize Gathering and Time w/ Other Believers (not optional)

3. Bring Good News not Good Advice that Comforts and Confronts

4. Mutual and Accountable

5. Humility and a Desire for Change

o Who are you considering, who’s considering you?

o What changes are needed in your relationships to get on God’s agenda?

God is Glorious (Great and Worthy) . . .

I. How should I Respond to God’s Greatness and Worth? (1-3)

II. Why is God Great and Worthy? (4, 6)

III. What Competes with God for Glory? (4c-5)

Practical Implications

o Embrace some God-Centered Values:

1. He is Great, we are not = Good!

2. Word Saturated Lives and Church!

3. The Centrality of Jesus and the Gospel

4. Salvation to the Praise of His Glory

5. Content Rich Songs that build a vv. 1-4 life.

o What are your primary competitors?

o What amazes you about Jesus (sit down in a truth that sticks)?

Stare at Christ, He is sufficient to fulfill His promises & accomplish His purposes...

I.  In the Face of Abandonment, Laborers are still Sent Out! (9-11)

III. In the Face of Loneliness, Christ’s Presence Sustains

Practical Application

o   In what ways are you loving this present world? What would your calendar, bank account, anxieties say?

o   What rhythms are you practicing to help you see life w/ an eternal perspective?

o   What is one act of faithfulness to the mission of God that you can take this semester?