A Thoroughly Converted Church (Acts 9:1-19)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
As we read through the account of the Apostle Paul’s conversion, we learn that simply believing in God does not make one a Christian. A Christian conversion is marked by an encounter with Christ’s person, surrender to his lordship, participation with his people, transformation to his methods, and an invitation to his calling. True Christian conversion is always initiated by God, and in his hot pursuit of us, he prepares our hearts to be transformed by him.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Do you believe people can change? Is there anyone in your life right now that you would write off as someone that will never change? Briefly share.
2. Have you ever experienced a life-changing, powerful encounter with God? How did your life change? Briefly share that encounter.
3. Have you ever witnessed in someone else’s life a radical change after an encounter with God? What was your reaction to their change? Briefly share.


INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Acts 8:26-39:

“26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means "queen of the Ethiopians"). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."
34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36-37 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”

• According to verses 26 and 29, who had the initiative to reach out to the eunuch? What does this tell you of God’s heart for us? Have you ever experienced God reaching out to you as he pursues your heart? Briefly share.
• What was the eunuch doing when Philip approached him (v. 30)? Do you believe God was preparing him for this encounter? What does this tell you about our role as we reach out to people? Have you ever had the opportunity to talk about Christ with someone whose heart had already been prepared by God? Briefly share.
• In verse 31 we find out that the eunuch didn’t really know who he was worshipping. In a world with so many options and opinions, who does Phillip tell us the good news is about (v. 35)? How can this good news speak into our current post-modern world? What should our answer be to all those options and opinions out there?
• As Philip shared the good news of Jesus, how did the eunuch’s heart change? What was his response to his message (v. 36-37)? How does a true encounter with Jesus change our lives? How did your heart change as you were exposed to Jesus for the first time? Briefly share.
• In verse 39 we read that after encountering Christ, the eunuch went on his way rejoicing. What was the source of his joy? As we place our hope in Jesus, how do our lives change? How has your life changed? Briefly share.
• In this Scripture, we clearly see how the Holy Spirit was present at all times during Philip’s encounter with the eunuch. Do you believe this is something that still happens today? Have you ever relied on / partner with the Holy Spirit as you reach out to someone? Explain.

3. In this weekend’s message, Rich states that when he speaks about a person being thoroughly converted he is saying that it is not enough that you simply believe that Christ died on a cross to be your sin bearer, or even that he offers you the forgiveness of sins as a free gift of grace. Full conversion means that you have permitted Jesus Christ to master you, to take control of your inner drives, your desires, your goals, your pursuits, your dreams in life, your relationships, your spending habits, your mind and emotions and will.

• As you examine your life, have you really embraced Jesus Christ as Lord?
• Are there areas of your life that still need to be surrendered to Christ in order that you may be a thoroughly converted follower of Jesus?
• Take time to pray for one another, especially for those who wish to commit/re-commit their lives to Christ.

The Integrity Filled Church (Acts 4: 36 - 5:11)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
We live in a culture where appearance means everything. Evading truths, cover-ups, and flat-out lying have become the norms of the day. As a result, the world is crying for integrity. Integrity is created when we become mature enough to acknowledge when we’ve messed up; when we fear the Lord, and fear the effects of sin in our lives. When we as individuals, groups, or even churches immediately and forthrightly acknowledge and repent of our failures, without evasion or cover up, not only can the blood of Jesus restore us, but we also become even more attractive to others and known for simple integrity.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. What does integrity mean to you? What do you think integrity means to the Lord?
2. Have you ever told a lie that you thought was rather insignificant, but it turned out to have much larger consequences later on? How did you respond?
3. Can you think of a time when you were disappointed by someone in the past who lied of misled you? What were the thoughts or emotions you experienced? How did you respond? Was the relationship or situation reconciled? How so?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Joshua 7: 1 - 13:

1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there." 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water. 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 Pardon your servant, LORD. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?" 10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. 13 "Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them

• Consider taking some time in preparation to read Joshua 6 and contextualize it for the rest of your small group.
• What was the nature of Israel’s sin ?(v. 1) Why do you think it made the Lord angry? What are some examples of “devoted things” people hold back from God ? Discuss and share.
• How many persons acted in an unfaithful manner? (v. 1) As a result of this unfaithfulness, how many persons did the Lord hold liable? (v.1) In your opinion, does this communicate anything regarding the relationship or responsibilities the people of God have toward one another? Why or why not?
• What was the report of the spies Joshua sent to Ai? What was their subsequent military strategy? How did this differ from their strategy against Jericho? What lesson did they learn from their defeat at the hands of Ai? What relevance does this have to those of us who are facing personal battles and struggles? Discuss.
• What do Joshua and the elders do upon hearing of the defeat? (v. 6) Why do you think they fall before the Ark of God ? (v. 6) What does the Ark represent? How does this inform us of the proper way to respond upon hearing unfortunate news? Who should we seek?
• What does Joshua ask of the Lord? (vv. 8-9). What is the Lord’s response? (vv. 10 – 12) Specifically how does the Lord tell Joshua to respond? (v. 13). Why was it important for the sin to be dealt with?
• In what way can the community of believers be consecrated today before the Lord? What provision does the Lord provide for sin to be removed among us? What do you think is the most devoted thing among us that the Lord desires?

3. In his sermon, Rich shares that “the hope of the gospel is that the blood of Jesus can restore our consciences”. In your ministry time, ask members of your group to do some self inventory. Ask them to internally ask themselves whether there is anything they may be hiding from God. Are their areas of their lives (or your life) that they’re holding back from God? Be sure to offer words of encouragement by reminding them when we can come willingly into the light of God as we are without any cover ups. This is because the blood of Jesus will cleanse and restore integrity and goodness in our souls.

The Biblical Church (Acts 6:11-7:60)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Throughout history Christians and non-Christians alike have been debating over the proper interpretation of the Bible. Even today, there is no one alive who simply reads the Bible straight on and without a lens. Because of this, people and even nations have used the Bible to advance their own agendas. In Acts 7, however, Stephen’s speech teaches us that all scriptures are meant to point to Christ. When we interpret the Bible through the “lens of Christ” and obey its words we become a biblical and irresistible church; a church in which the text of the Bible is lived out by God’s people.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Have you ever watched a movie with a group of people that was such a “mind-bender” that you couldn’t agree on the meaning of the movie? Describe the experience. Why do you think there were multiple ways of interpreting the same movie?
2. Have you ever had a difficult discussion with someone who interprets the Bible differently than you do? What was the experience like? What did you learn from the discussion? How do you generally approach discussions like these?
3. What would you say is your main goal or objective when reading Scripture? Explain and discuss. As you hear people discuss the Bible, what are some other objectives that people might have when reading Scripture?

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read John 4:4-26:

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" 13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 16 He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." 17 "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." 19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 "Woman," Jesus replied, "believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." 25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." 26 Then Jesus declared, "I, the one speaking to you--I am he."

• When Christ asks for a drink of water, how does the Samaritan woman respond? What is the basis for her answer? (v. 9) How might our culture hinder us from ministering to others Biblically? Discuss and share.
• What is the difference between the well water that the woman speaks of and the living water that Christ is talking about (vv. 11-14)? What are some examples of ways that we seek well water, rather than living water? How might our understanding of the Bible be impacted if we are seeking well water, rather than Christ? Can you think of examples of this? Discuss.
• What appears to be the basis for Christ’s response to the woman? (vv. 10, 15-18) While the Samaritan woman is concerned with cultural custom, what is Christ’s main focus? What can we learn from Christ’s example? Discuss.
• Rather than engaging in the disagreement between Samaritans and Jews regarding the place of worship, what is Christ’s response? (vv. 20-24) What do you think it means to worship God in spirit and in truth? In what ways can we more effectively worship God in spirit and in truth?
• Christ links the worship of the Father to who he is, rather than a place. (vv. 21-24) Can you think of ways that people reduce God and worship to specific places or things?
• The Samaritan woman is the first person to whom Christ clearly reveals himself as the Messiah. (vv.25-26) What do you think is the significance of this action at that particular point and time, in that culture? How might that influence our approach to sharing Christ with others? Share and discuss.

3. Take some time and ask God to open up opportunities for your small group to share Christ with others. Discuss where these opportunities might exist. At home, at work, in your family, in your community? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you individually and as a group.

The Well-Led Church (Acts 6:1-7)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
One of the crying needs not only in society but also in the church is finding leaders we can trust. This was also true for the early church, which faced growing pains and subsequent problems that created a need for good leaders to solve them. In Acts 4 we find the Apostles exercising Godly wisdom in selecting leaders they could trust. Good leaders are effective in responding to problems, are flexible and have a strong sense of identity. As a result they can be trusted when facing tests and are affirmed by the community. Good leadership is essential because with it the church and the gospel flourish.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Do you consider yourself a leader? Why or why not? How do you think a Biblical understanding of leadership differs from society's understanding of leadership? How are they similar?
2. Have you ever been asked to lead a team or a project, but you didn't feel that you had enough people to accomplish the task? Describe the experience. How did it feel?
3. Can you think of some examples of good leaders in your life? What characteristics make them good leaders?
4. What leadership qualities do you see in yourself? Have others noticed leadership qualities in you? Discuss and share.

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

2. Read Exodus 18:13-26:

13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" 15 Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and instructions." 17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

• Explain the context of this passage. (Exodus 18: 1-12) Discuss Israel’s experiences in Egypt and God’s direct involvement in Moses’ leadership.
• How do you imagine Moses must have felt, ruling for the people morning till night? (vv. 13-14) Can you think of a personal experience similar to Moses’ situation? How did you get through it?
• What does Moses say about his responsibility to the people? (vv. 15-16) Is this responsibility a bad thing? Jethro indicates that Moses’ method of teaching the people will wear Moses out, as well as the people. (v. 18) How do you think the people might have experienced this process? What might they have felt? Have you experienced something similar? Discuss.
• What is Jethro’s solution? (vv. 19-22) How does this solution allow Moses to fulfill his responsibility to the people and to God? What does this solution tell you about Christian community and leadership? Discuss.
• What kind of leaders does Jethro tell Moses to select? (v. 21) Are these characteristics similar to your description of a good leader? Are they different? Can you see similarities between Jethro’s new method and Rich’s description of good leadership? Discuss.
• Moses was the sole ruler of Israel, but he still listened to Jethro’s advice. (vv. 24-25) What do you think this says about the importance of listening to good advice as a leader? What might have happened if Moses had ignored Jethro’s advice? Have you ignored leadership advice only to find out that you should have listened? Discuss and share.

3. Take some time and consider the characteristics of a good leader described in Rich’s sermon and in the Exodus 18 passage.

• How are you becoming the type of person that God can use as a leader?
• In what areas can you allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to be a better leader? Are their members of your small group that can help you? Consider partnering with another person in your group and encourage each other to grow in these areas.
• Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit how your small group can equip and empower one another to be good leaders. Consider ways to encourage each other to be leaders in your families, work, church, and community.

The Missionary Church (Acts 17:16-34)

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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
The Christian church in the West has largely fallen in effectiveness, relevance, and respectability. The way the Church at large has responded to this has often consisted of anger and separation. In Acts 17, Paul gives a speech that informs us how to be missional. He first blows up the stereotypes that his audience had of Christians, identified with the crowd where they were, and showed them how to get from where they were to a place where they could meet God. This does not mean that we tell people what they want to hear. There are distinctions and costs to the Christian life, and these mean that sometimes there will be very small perceived return for sharing the gospel.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

1. Have you ever needed help from someone and had that person offered something that was not helpful to you in response? Discuss examples.
2. Think about your friends and neighbors. How many of them are different than you in race, income, education, working class, sexual orientation, etc?
3. What do you think that people outside the church think of when they think of Christianity? If some of the stereotypes don’t seem like they are biblically based, do you think your life defies those stereotypes, confirms those stereotypes, or does something in between? Discuss.



INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. In 5 minutes or less. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Briefly explain.

2. Read I Corinthians 9:16-23:

“16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not misuse my rights as a preacher of the gospel. 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

• What do you feel when you read Paul’s statement in verse 16 that he is “compelled” to preach the gospel? Do you feel guilty? Do you feel like it is something that you should feel, too? Or do you already feel the same as Paul, compelled by God’s grace and salvation to share the gospel that has reached out and found you? Share your emotional responses and thoughts to the notion of feeling “compelled” by the gospel to share the gospel.
  
• In verse 18, Paul says his reward is being able to offer the gospel free of charge. What is the connection between how we present the gospel and how we understand it for ourselves? If we have trouble extending the gospel “free of charge,” are we truly walking in the freedom of the gospel?
• When you encounter people that do not know Christ, do you see their sinfulness as an “obstacle” to the gospel, or an opportunity for the gospel? Do you use these sins of non-believers to excuse yourself from preaching the gospel to them? If so, what sins in particular do you see as obstacles? Discuss.
• Read verses 19-22. What’s Paul’s message here? Who needs to bend first for the gospel to be preached, a believer or a non-believer? Do we expect people to find us when they are “ready” to hear the gospel, or do we take it where they live?
• Based on verse 23, do you think Paul believes the gospel is a dead message or something living and active? What does it mean to do something for “the sake of the gospel?” Can that statement make sense if we only view the gospel as a few doctrinal truths by which people are saved? Is the gospel something living and active in you? Would it be easier to preach the gospel if it was? Discuss the idea of the gospel being an ongoing reality in your life and how that would affect your ability to preach the gospel.
• Paul mentions sharing in the blessings of the gospel (v. 23). When you think of the blessings of the gospel, do you think of the future, of the present, or both? Take some time to list the blessings of the gospel in your life.
  3. The gospel is as much about how it is shared as what is shared. In the words of Pope John Paul II, Christians are to “propose,” not “impose,” the gospel. It violates the freeing nature of the gospel to impose it on someone or to lead them into a Christian stereotype instead of a genuine encounter with Jesus.
  We want to preach the gospel, but we need to be connected with the gospel and what it looks like to share the gospel in a way that keeps it’s power intact. Consider the verse below, and meditate on its three phrases as you ask the Holy Spirit to come and teach you how to preach and live out the gospel.
  
  I Peter 3:15
  (1) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. (2) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (3) But do this with gentleness and respect