Group leaders check in with your group. Follow your usual routine– ask for prayer requests, or change things up- ask them to share a time this past week when they experienced God showing up in their life.
Open in prayer.
Remind everyone that this weekend we wrapped up our series on the book of Acts. Both a wrap-up and a review.
- How would you describe what the Scriptures mean by these phrases: “the Kingdom of God” and “the Good News.”
o Jesus’s promise is both for “now and not yet.” What does that mean?
- In this broken world, where and how do we see God’s kingdom begin to break through in the book of Acts? Take some time to skim some highlights from Acts.
In the second half of Acts, we meet Saul of Tarsus (aka Paul). What do we know about Paul? (add to this list)
- Pharisee
- Persecuted Christians
- Miraculous Conversion
- Ardent evangelist for Jesus
- Roman Citizen
- Writer of a large portion of NT.
Paul went on 3 separate missionary journeys and here, at the end of Acts, we find him on his 3rd and last- heading for Rome. Discuss what this third trip looked like. (Acts 27)
- Sails as a prisoner
- Took companions
- A “tuphonikos”
- Shipwreck
Discuss the likely conditions of such a storm lasting 14 days w/no sun. What did sailors and passengers have to deal with physically and emotionally?
It has been said that every person is either in a storm,coming out of a storm, or getting ready to face a storm. Where are you in this spectrum? If you are in a storm or coming out of one, how do you typically navigate it? What do you do when the “storm waves” are all you see?
- How did Paul handle this storm that was different from the way the others did? What can we learn from him?
- Paul and the passengers all finally made it to Rome, where Paul was held under house arrest. (Acts 28)
- Pastor Greg illustrated Paul’s stay in Rome with the planting and growing of seeds. How does this speak to you today, as you live out your life?
Read Gal 6:9, Philippians 1:13-14, 4:22, Acts 28:30-31
Luke ends the book of Acts open-ended. How are we a continuation of this book of Acts?
Some things are meant to grow slowly, sometimes things grow so slowly that we’re not always fully aware. If you have made a decision to follow Christ, be it a few weeks, months, or years ago. Take a minute to look back and take stock of how your life has changed. What growth can you see?
Close in prayer – thanking God for His changes in you now and, as you are led, surrender new areas of your life to His Holy Spirit to change and grow to continue to unleash God's kingdom in this world.
Read
Acts 27 and 28 (read portions as are applicable to your discussion)
Galatians 6:9
Philippians 1:13-14, 4:22
Isaiah 43:1
Reflect
How do you handle "storms" in your life? Can you share an example?
How can we help remind each other of the things that are true when we are going through a storm?
Where have you seen growth in your life since following Jesus? (small growth still counts)
Do
Make a list of encouraging Scriptures to hold onto and memorize that remind us of what's true about God.