GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
TEACHING RECAP
Summary: In these passages it becomes clear that, despite persecution, prejudices, circumstances, and past, this community now labelled, "Christian", understood their call to be in community, to be matured within the community, and then to be sent into the world to show and tell about Jesus by the community. We see a pattern that has been repeated since then and that the Spirit has chosen to expand His kingdom across the world: God is always on the move, calling people to himself, and he has chosen us to go because if we don't, who will?
Main Points:
1. I honestly wish I had more time
2. I don't think I know enough
3. I just don't feel like I am the right person
4. Where would I even start?
On-Ramps:
Ask the Spirit to lead you into where and for who you can be more prayerful, present, and curious
Pray over you and send you
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
Read Acts 11: 20-21 again. Why do you think these men from Cyprus & Cyrene started to tell Gentiles (“Greeks”) also about Jesus after only sharing the Gospel with Jews at first? How would their thinking have changed to do this?
When you think about telling someone about Jesus, what do you feel/comes to mind for you? Do you think that what you’re feeling & thinking are more in the category of excuses or are good reasons for telling others about Jesus?
When was the last time you told someone about Jesus/shared the Gospel? Was it a good experience or a tough experience? Why do you think that was so?
What are the practical ways that we can not only share the Gospel verbally with those around us, but also live out the truth of the Gospel to those around us? Give some examples you have seen or examples of how you have sought to do so in your own life.
Read Acts 13:1-3 again. What happened while these people were fasting & praying? What does this passage reveal to us about the Spirit of God & His heart for the world?
What is one thing that you can do this week that will help move you towards sharing the Gospel with someone around you?
PRAYER
Pray that God would help you & empower you to share Jesus with those around you, even those who you might not expect to be sharing Him with.
Next week: Acts 12:1-19
