The most important book for the church in the 21st century?  That is my claim!  

As we continue to work through the Bible, one book per week, we move into the book of Acts.  This book records what happened after Jesus was risen from the dead and how the church began to spread throughout the Roman Empire.  

I offer this book is supremely important for us in the 21st century, when the church again finds itself dislocated from the center of power.  Suggested readings

Acts 1:  Ascension and the first followers of Jesus regrouping in grief and joy

Acts 2: Pentecost and birth of the church

Acts 8:26-40 Philip and the Eunuch

Acts 9: Conversion of Paul

Acts 10: "Conversion" of Peter

Acts 16:  Paul in Philippi

Acts 17:  Paul in Athens

Questions

1)  Are there any stories in the book of Acts that you know?  Have you ever sensed the connection to our lives today?

2)  Have you ever talked about your faith with someone who did not believe in the Gospel?  In what ways is this hard?  In what ways is this easy?

3)  Have you experienced the Christian community as more, less or the same level of loving as the broader culture?

4)  Who has been a witness to the Christian Gospel in your life?

5)  Would you say the decline of Christian cultural influence:  Doesn't seem real in your community and family?  Is something that you grieve?  Is something that you feel needs to be stopped by law?

6)  Has your faith ever caused you to "suffer"?

7)  Early on in the podcast, Pastor Rob mentions that the book of Acts has a number of miracles.  What seems a bigger miracle:  That the early church grew or that it grew without power?