Trinity Church

Here’s a Bible Project Video summary of ACTS!

Small Group Questions:

Read Acts 9:1-28

What is something that stood out to you when reading through this passage? (Maybe something you hadn’t noticed before)

Discuss the applications of the main sermon points:

“Jesus’ Lordship Confronts Our Sin”...How did Jesus confront Saul’s sin? What are other ways in which Jesus confronts sin in us and others?

“Jesus’ Lordship Clarifies His Identity” In what ways has embracing Jesus as Lord shown you more about who Jesus is?

“Jesus’ Lordship Commands Our Obedience” What is a command from scripture that you personally, or we as the church struggle to obey? How can we learn to be more obedient?

“Jesus’ Lordship Connects Us With Others” Who is a brother or sister in Christ that has been instrumental in connecting you more closely with Jesus? Have you ever been in Ananias’ position of God calling you to connect with someone you’d rather not? How did God use that?

“Jesus’ Lordship Calls Us Forward” Have you ever felt called by God to do something specific? If so, what? How do we know if God is calling us to something?

Reply

Small Group Questions

Read John 15:19-21

In what ways have you experienced persecution or rejection because of your relationship with Jesus? How did you respond to it?

- Was your response more “Me-Centered and Me-Filled” or “Christ-Centered and Holy Spirit Filled”?

A main point in the sermon was: “Our response to opposition and challenges will greatly affect our ability to live into our mission.” What does this mean?

What are some positive/negative examples or our responses affecting our mission?

The apostles responded to: Injustice with Rejoicing, Lies with Truth, and Hatred with Grace.

What might this look like for us today? In our lives? In our church?

Read John 16:33

What does this verse mean to you (maybe try to put it in your own words)?

What are the core aspects of Kingdom Building as we see in the book of Acts?

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Is that different than Baptism in the Holy Spirit? Listen in.

Pastor Justin dives in to the INDUCTIVE method of Bible Study to help us understand the calling to “be my witnesses” found in the end of Luke and beginning of Acts!

Here’s a link to our Father’s Day video! Thanks DADS!

Questions for Reflection or Small Group:Icebreaker: What is the best Movie/Book sequel of all time, in your opinion?What is the difference between being a disciple and an apostle? Which do we focus on more as the church and why?Individually, write a one sentence definition of the Kingdom of God and share with the group.Look up some sections in the Gospels about Jesus teaching on the Kingdom of God. How does Jesus’ teaching support/clarify/correct your definition?Why is it significant that the book of Acts begins (Acts 1:3) and ends (Acts 28:30-31) with the topic of the “Kingdom of God”?Discuss what it means for you/us to be:CalledCommandedConsecratedContinuingWhat do you think about this statement: “God’s people are called, commanded, and consecrated to continue Jesus’ Kingdom building throughout the world by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit.”What might you add/change?

Questions for SG discussion or Reflection:

(Icebreaker) What sports/activities did you do when you were a kid?

How do you respond to the statements from the sermon: “God wants our participation…participation is a very good and holy thing.”

What do you take that to mean?

What does it mean that often we tend to want to be initiators or spectators instead of participators with God? Do you lean more toward being an initiator or spectator? In what ways?

How are creation and salvation good examples of God welcoming our participation?

Read through Matthew 6:9-13. How does Jesus’ model for prayer support the idea that “God wants our participation”?

Questions for Small Group or Personal Reflection:Read Luke 18:1-8- What initial reactions/observations/questions do you have on this passage?- What do you think is the main reason that Jesus explicitly teaches us to “always pray and not give up”?Read Mark 14:36- How does Jesus’ experience with unanswered prayer affect our view of prayer and/or our relationship with God?- What do we share in common with the Widow in the parable? How is God different from the Judge in the parable?- How might it change our view of this parable when we understand that it comes right after Jesus teaching about the coming of the Kingdom of God (Luke 17:20-37) ?Read Matthew 7:7-8 (preferable from the NLT)- How does “Ask…seek…knock” as a process of prayer help us develop deeper trust in God?

Questions for Small Group or Reflection:Does Elijah’s contest on Mt. Carmel disobey the instruction to “not put the Lord to the test” (Deut 6:16, Matt 4:7)?- Why/Why Not?How were Elijah’s prayers for fire and water different? Why were both necessary?Agree/Disagree that we need to also be praying for God’s fire and water? What does that specifically mean?Read 1 Kings How do you respond to Elijah’s unusual prayer posture being a metaphor for mother’s labor bringing about new life? How is that reflected in what Elijah was praying for?Why do you think James 5:16-18 talks about Elijah praying for rain, but does not mention his prayer for fire?What thoughts and emotions did you feel as you watched the video about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Asbury University?(If you missed it, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/3MUFPKMhO88?si=yrLrHhH5s )

Questions for SG and Reflection:

How do you respond to the claim “Jesus loves to be asked”?
How might this affect our approach to prayer?
How might this affect our understanding of God’s love?

How does asking deepen relationships?
Can you think of an example of this in your own life?

Read Exodus 32:12-14
Did God really change his mind? If so, does that mean that our prayers can control God? Why/Why not?
What is the difference between being in control and being empowered through prayer?

Read Luke 11:3
Is this really an instruction to be praying “all of the time” and “for everything we need”? Why/Why not?