Text: Acts 4:23–31
Topic: Fear, Temptation, Overcoming, Courage
Big Idea of the Message: As the church moves forward, challenges from outside and within will occur to hinder God’s kingdom.
Application Point: We must stand strong against any attempts to keep the kingdom
from moving forward—and remain humble enough to confess our fears and sins.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What challenges, problems, and troubles do you remember from this week’s Scripture?
3. What challenges, problems, or troubles have you encountered as part of your Christian life?
4. Have you had to choose between greed and generosity? Which was ultimately more life-giving?
5. What do you think of the idea that saying no to temptation is really a chance to say yes to God? In what ways is this true or  not true, in your experience?
6. How can we pray for you?

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Text: Psalm 22; Matthew 27:25, 39, 43; John 19:23-24, 28
Topic: Crucifixion
Big Idea of the Message: King David penned Psalm 22 as the cry of a righteous sufferer, and it so aptly fits the circumstances of Jesus’ crucifixion that even He took it to His lips on the cross.

Application Point:  Similarly, we may not understand the purpose of our own trials at the time they occur, but we can know that God is at work on a bigger scale.

Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. Who was David?
3. Why do you think Jesus quoted the first line of this psalm at such a critical 
moment in His life?
4. What scripture do you turn to first when you are pressed?
5. How does scripture memory play a part in your faith life? What strategy for 
scripture memorization works for you?
6. How are you going to apply these passages to your life this week?
7. How can we pray for you?

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In addition to being a decorated or plastic egg, an "Easter Egg" is an unexpected feature in a piece of computer software or on a DVD, often included as a joke or a bonus. This 4-week series looks at the hidden "Easter Eggs" or prophecies about  Jesus in the Old Testament, and what they mean for the Easter story today. Each week connects a specific Old Testament prophecy about Jesus’ death and resurrection with a correlating New Testament passage that explains its significance. By examining the importance of Biblical prophecy and its role in the Christian faith, this series uncovers the great rescue plan
Heaven had for humanity all along—one Easter Egg at a time.

Text: Isaiah 53:1-10; 1 Peter 2:22-25 
Topic(s): Atonement, Healing 
Big Idea of the Message: Over 700 years before Jesus was even born, Isaiah prophesied that there would be a Man who would be slain as a Lamb, and his wounds would heal all our sins. 

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. Why do you think God (and Isaiah) used the image of a lamb?
3. Why is the timeline of when this Old Testament prophecy was written
important?
4. What does Peter’s use of this passage from the Old Testament teach us?
5. What image from Isaiah’s description touches you the most and why?
6. What does this passage teach us about living a life of humility?





Here are the Foundations for Interpretation we are using.  These are outlined by Larry W Caldwell, Doing Interpretation!: Making the Bible Come Alive for Yourself and Your People.

The Bible is Authoritative 
God Communicates His Truth To Us Through the Bible
Jesus is the Heart of the Bible
The Holy Spirit Guides Bible Interpretation
Bible Interpretation is Best Done in Community
Bible Interpretation is Living and Active
The Purpose is to make Disciples of Jesus

The Seven Steps of Interpretation (Again Caldwell's book):
Step 1:   What kind of literary form is this Bible passage and what are the implications of this? 
Step 2:   What are the contextual boundaries of this Bible passage? 
Step 3:   What was God saying through this Bible passage to the original audience back then? 
Step 4:   What is the general principle that God had in mind through this Bible passage for all peoples and all cultures? 
Step 5:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to you today? 
Step 6:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to your community of believers today? 
Step 7:   How will you communicate the truths of this?

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In addition to being a decorated or plastic egg, an "Easter Egg" is an unexpected feature in a piece of computer software or on a DVD, often included as a joke or a bonus. This 4-week series looks at the hidden "Easter Eggs" or prophecies about  Jesus in the Old Testament, and what they mean for the Easter story today. Each week connects a specific Old Testament prophecy about Jesus’ death and resurrection with a correlating New Testament passage that explains its significance. By examining the importance of Biblical prophecy and its role in Christian faith, this series uncovers the great rescue plan Heaven had for humanity all along—one Easter Egg at a time.

Text: Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12-19
Topic(s): Prophecy, Rescue
Big Idea of the Message: From the very beginning, God’s plan was for Jesus to
rescue humanity from sin and evil.

Reflection Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What is prophecy?
3. Why is it important to keep the Old and New Testaments connected?
4. What would you say to someone who claims we could throw out the Old
Testament and only study the New now?
5. How does knowing that God planned your rescue before He made the
world affect you?
6. What does this passage in the Bible inspire you to do this next week?


Here are the Foundations for Interpretation we are using.  These are outlined by Larry W Caldwell, Doing Interpretation!: Making the Bible Come Alive for Yourself and Your People.

The Bible is Authoritative 
God Communicates His Truth To Us Through the Bible
Jesus is the Heart of the Bible
The Holy Spirit Guides Bible Interpretation
Bible Interpretation is Best Done in Community
Bible Interpretation is Living and Active
The Purpose is to make Disciples of Jesus

The Seven Steps of Interpretation (Again Caldwell's book):
Step 1:   What kind of literary form is this Bible passage and what are the implications of this? 
Step 2:   What are the contextual boundaries of this Bible passage? 
Step 3:   What was God saying through this Bible passage to the original audience back then? 
Step 4:   What is the general principle that God had in mind through this Bible passage for all peoples and all cultures? 
Step 5:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to you today? 
Step 6:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to your community of believers today? 
Step 7:   How will you communicate the truths of this?

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Text: Acts 4:13–22
Topic(s): Identity, Being, Doing
Big Idea of the Message: Peter and John found their sense of identity in Christ.

Application Point: Resist letting cultural pressure, politics, finances, popularity, or success become the source of your identity.

Reflection  Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. Have you noticed that you act a little differently based on who you’re with? Why do you think this is the case?
3. How is following a GPS or using the rusty yet reliable atlas similar to finding our identity with God? How is it different?
4. How does our culture influence our identities?
5. Is there a specific aspect of culture that is harder for you to ignore or that proves to be a bigger distraction than others?
6. How can we pray for you?


Here are the Foundations for Interpretation we are using.  These are outlined by Larry W Caldwell, Doing Interpretation!: Making the Bible Come Alive for Yourself and Your People.

The Bible is Authoritative 
God Communicates His Truth To Us Through the Bible
Jesus is the Heart of the Bible
The Holy Spirit Guides Bible Interpretation
Bible Interpretation is Best Done in Community
Bible Interpretation is Living and Active
The Purpose is to make Disciples of Jesus

The Seven Steps of Interpretation (Again Caldwell's book):
Step 1:   What kind of literary form is this Bible passage and what are the implications of this? 
Step 2:   What are the contextual boundaries of this Bible passage? 
Step 3:   What was God saying through this Bible passage to the original audience back then? 
Step 4:   What is the general principle that God had in mind through this Bible passage for all peoples and all cultures? 
Step 5:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to you today? 
Step 6:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to your community of believers today? 
Step 7:   How will you communicate the truths of this?

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Text: Acts 3:1–4:12
Topics: Jesus, Salvation, Power

Big Idea of the Message: When the church was born through the Holy Spirit, the 
believers proclaimed the power of Jesus.

Application Point: We shouldn’t try to sell our faith; instead, we should point people to 
Jesus and let the Spirit do the rest.

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Text: Acts 2:42–47
Topic(s): Church, Community, Fellowship, Prayer, Generosity

Big Idea of the Message: When the church was born through the Holy Spirit, the believers began to live differently and to devote themselves to God, his mission, and his church. This is our purpose: to be an alternate community of God’s grace in the world.

Application Point: As we continually devote ourselves to God and to one another, God will draw people into his kingdom.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. When have you made a huge change in your life? It might be an event (a move, a marriage, a job) or a decision (habits or practices added or eliminated). How did that change things for you?
3. How did love radically alter the way the early believers lived?
4. In this passage, we learn that the four marks of the church are the apostles’ teaching, the common life of those who believe, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. How do these four practices mark your life, your family, and your community?
5. What steps can you take (motivated by God’s love!) to live more in step with the Christian way of life together?
6. How can we pray for you?


Here are the Foundations for Interpretation we are using.  These are outlined by Larry W Caldwell, Doing Interpretation!: Making the Bible Come Alive for Yourself and Your People.

The Bible is Authoritative 
God Communicates His Truth To Us Through the Bible
Jesus is the Heart of the Bible
The Holy Spirit Guides Bible Interpretation
Bible Interpretation is Best Done in Community
Bible Interpretation is Living and Active
The Purpose is to make Disciples of Jesus

The Seven Steps of Interpretation (Again Caldwell's book):
Step 1:   What kind of literary form is this Bible passage and what are the implications of this? 
Step 2:   What are the contextual boundaries of this Bible passage? 
Step 3:   What was God saying through this Bible passage to the original audience back then? 
Step 4:   What is the general principle that God had in mind through this Bible passage for all peoples and all cultures? 
Step 5:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to you today? 
Step 6:   What is God saying through this Bible passage to your community of believers today? 
Step 7:   How will you communicate the truths of this?

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Text: Acts 2:14–41
Topics: Pentecost, Conversion, Salvation
Big Idea of the Message: When the church was born through the Holy Spirit, the
believers proclaimed the good news. Over three thousand people were saved, the
church was born, and God’s kingdom began to impact Jerusalem.

Application Point: Repent and believe the gospel today! Be baptized. Share the good
news with your family and all those who are far off. Consider what it means for you to
“go!” What is your next small step in believing, repenting, and following God?

Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What is some good news you just were not able to keep to yourself? Tell
us the story in detail!
3. What made the story of Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection “good
news”?
4. How have you seen the story of Jesus change someone’s life forever—
either yours or someone else’s?
5. Have you turned to Jesus? Have you been baptized? What’s the next step
for you? Do you feel ready to share the good news with others? Why or
why not?
6. How can we pray for you?

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Text: Acts 2:1–21
Topics: Pentecost, Church, Holy Spirit

Big Idea of the Message: The church was born out of the creative action of God, the 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Application Point: Each Christian relies on the Spirit for renewed life, just as we rely 
on the Spirit to enliven our local church. As you consider church growth strategies, 
visitor integration techniques, programs, and budgets, remember that the first church 
wasn’t created by clever strategies or techniques but by the actions of God the Spirit.

Discussion Questions:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What similarities do you see between God creating the world and God 
creating the church?
3. What are some of the symbols of Pentecost that stand out to you, that
confuse you, or that are meaningful to you?
4. How would you describe, in your own words, what happened at 
Pentecost?
5. Think back to the illustration of a lamp, which needs to be plugged in to a 
power source to work. In what ways do you “plug in” to the Spirit? In what 
ways can you grow in this area?
6. How can you, your family, and your church continue to rely on the Spirit—
not human wisdom—for future growth and direction?
7. How can we pray for you?

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Dr. Ed Gross spends his days teaching and building up the Kingdom of God.  He is the Coordinator of Discipleship Renewal with Compassion for Life Ministries.

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