SERMON BASED RESOURCES
Dig into the sermon each week with your life group, spiritual growth partner, or even by yourself! We’ll provide ideas to jump start your group time (Opener Questions: for building community), discussion questions to go deep (Discussion Questions: for fostering Christ Centered community), and ways to apply what you learned throughout the week (Practical Applications: for faithfully following Jesus through your week).
Opener Questions
- What’s your favorite way to take in creation in the wintertime? Do you prefer to be indoors or are you game for being outdoors?
- Are you a new year’s fresh start kind of person or do you keep rolling with what is working for you?
Discussion Questions
1. Personal Scripture Recap: When have you been refreshed by what you’ve read/study/meditated on from Scripture this past week? Share with the group. Is there a question or something you’re rumbling with that you’d like to share as well? Please, do!
2. The Story So Far: Utilize the Bible 101 resource overview of Acts on pg. 177 (or this one sentence summary of each chapter) to remember where we’ve been in Acts so far. The Overview and our sermon series differ in the way we’ve broken out the movements. As a group, review chapters 1-20 and create your own movements throughout Acts. Give each a subtitle with a reason why.
3. Read Acts 21:17-39 and spend time digging into what is happening in this passage. There are a lot of opportunities in this passage to say, “Wait, what?” or “Hold on, why?”. Read repeatedly, making observations and turning them into questions, seek out answers, so that you can create a narrative arc that makes sense of what is happening here. How do we see Paul’s resolve (spoken of last week or found in Acts 19:21, 20:22-24, 21:14) in the way he moves and acts throughout this passage?
4. As the Bible 101 class teaches, each biblical passage has a reason for why God included it. What do you think is the main point of Acts 21:17-39? How do we see God at work?
5. Each passage can have several applications that are relevant to life today as believers. What can we learn from Paul’s actions in verses 17-26? How do they connect with what he writes in Romans 14:13-15:3 and I Corinthians 9:19-23; 10:23? How can this help us in dealing with differences and breaking down barriers within the church today? What other applications could there be? Reflect on ways that you can cross boundaries in your life as you invite others to the message of the gospel.
6. What encouragement would you give to someone who is struggling with an issue that is divisive in the church? How can you walk faithfully and graciously?
7. The Woodlands in the Word passages this week are Colossians 1-4 and Philippians 2-4 and 1 John 1-2.
Practical Applications
Dinnertime Discussions:
Go around the table to speak words of blessing and encouragement over those with whom you gather. Watch the way the atmosphere comes alive with words spoken with grace and kindness.
Gospel in Everyday Life:
Throughout this series, we will see Paul move steadfastly toward Jerusalem then Rome, compelled by the Spirit (Acts 19:21 + 20:22-24), to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Marinate in the gospel of grace by meditating on a passages the reveal beauty of the gospel (my favorites are Ephesians 2:1-9, Colossians 1:19-20 + 2:13-14, and Titus 3:3-7, recently Romans 10:1-13). Marvel at the grace that has been poured out on you. Then resolve to live graciously, through prayer and surrender to God.
Developing Disciplines:
How would you characterize your relationship with those who do not yet know Jesus? What would it look like to maintain fidelity to the good news of Jesus while exercising discernment with non-essential elements of faith in building a trusting relationship?
Practicing Prayer:
Search your heart for the Holy Spirit to reveal any times when you’ve used your words in a way that has torn others down. Confess, repent, and receive forgiveness. Ask the Lord to help you develop the self-discipline to not engage in spreading gossip and rumors.