Sermon Guide

May 31:  Acts 12

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. The kingdom of God doesn't need favorable political conditions. The church has survived and thrived under hostile governments throughout history.
2. God's sovereignty means He reigns even when He doesn't rescue. Sometimes God delivers; sometimes He walks His faithful through fire. Both reveal His sovereign presence.
3. God isn't limited by our lack of faith. Peter was rescued while half-asleep, and the church doubted even as their prayers were answered.
4. Honest doubt is better than pretend faith. Bring God what you actually have—He's not grading your faith performance.
5. The gates of hell will not prevail. This isn't just a promise for the future; it's a reality we can trust today.

Discussion Questions: 

1. When Everything Looks Dark (Acts 12:1-5) The church appears to be in trouble with James executed and Peter imprisoned. When have you felt like the church or your faith community was under threat? How did that feel?
2. The church's response was to pray fervently (verse 5). What does fervent prayer look like practically? What prevents us from praying this way?
3. James and Peter were equally faithful, yet James was executed while Peter was rescued. How do you wrestle with this reality? What comfort (if any) can we find in God's sovereignty when outcomes differ?
4. God Works While We're Unaware (Acts 12:6-11) Peter was completely unaware he was being rescued—he thought he was dreaming. When have you looked back and realized God was working in your life even though you couldn't see it at the time?
5. Your feelings aren't going to stop God from working. Why is this good news? How does this challenge the way we typically think about faith?
6. Peter wasn't quoting Scripture or mustering bold faith—he was half asleep. What does this teach us about our own spiritual performance and God's grace?
7. Faith Mixed with Doubt (Acts 12:12-17) The church prayed for Peter's release but didn't believe Rhoda when she said he was at the door. They even thought it was his ghost! How does this story challenge our assumptions about strong faith?
8. The father in Mark 9 cries, "I believe; help my unbelief!” How can we be more honest with God about our doubts while still maintaining faith?
9. Why do you think Luke included this embarrassing detail about the church's unbelief? What does it teach us about the Bible's honesty?
10. Part 4: God's Kingdom Prevails (Acts 12:18-24) Herod executed the guards, accepted worship as a god, and was struck down by God. What does this part of the story reveal about earthly power versus God's power?
11. Verse 24 concludes: "But the word of God spread and multiplied." Despite persecution, doubt, and tragedy, the church grew. What does this tell us about worrying over cultural or political threats to the church today?

Practical Applications:

1. Spend time in prayer being brutally honest with God about your doubts, fears, and struggles. Write them down if helpful. Practice saying, "I believe; help my unbelief."
2. Journal about a time when you couldn't see God working, but looking back now, you can see His hand clearly. Let this build your faith for current uncertainties.
3. Identify one situation that feels impossible and commit to praying for it daily this week—even if you struggle to believe anything will change.
4. Reach out to someone who has experienced loss or unanswered prayer. Don't offer easy answers—just be present and remind them God hasn't looked away.
5. Ask yourself what "iron gates" seem impossible to me that might be nothing to God? Am I more focused on political/cultural conditions than on God's sovereignty? Where do I need to stop performing faith and start being honest about my doubts?

 Sermon Guide

June 7:  Acts 19

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. Ephesus wasn't full of atheists—it was full of people who believed in spiritual power but hadn't found anything worth trusting completely yet.
2. The right question isn't "Is there power?" but "Which power is strongest?"—and Acts 19 gives us the answer: Jesus.
3. Fear (reverent awe) is the appropriate response when we truly see Jesus for who He is—not a tool to use, but the Lord to obey.
4. Many believers have already "joined the party" but still have things tucked away from their old life—habits, comforts, backup plans in case Jesus isn't quite enough.
5. Jesus as Lord means: surrender, obedience, daily dying to self, letting Him reshape our identity, and burning what competes with Him for priority.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why do you think Luke described Paul's miracles as "extraordinary"? What was God communicating to the Ephesians through these signs?
2. The seven sons of Sceva tried to use Jesus' name without actually knowing Jesus. What's the difference between using Jesus and surrendering to Jesus?
3. We tend to believe one or more of several incorrect views of Jesus: Emergency Contact God (only called in crisis), Vending Machine God (exists to give me what I want), Life Coach God (gives advice I can take or leave), Trophy God (displayed when advantageous),  Granddaddy God (affirms everything, confronts nothing). Which of these have you been most tempted to embrace? Why do you think that particular view is appealing?
4. The believers in Ephesus had already converted but still kept their magic books hidden away. What does it look like to be "in" the church but still holding onto things from your old life?
5. What are you holding on to? Take a moment of silence and ask God to reveal what you might still be holding onto. (You don't have to share if you're not comfortable, but consider what God might be bringing to mind.)
6. Whatever you're unwilling to surrender will eventually compete with Jesus for priority in your life. Have you seen this play out in your own experience or in someone else's?
7. What's the difference between calling out to God in crisis (which is good) and only having a crisis-based relationship with Jesus? How can we tell the difference in our own lives?
8. The Ephesians burned books worth 50,000 pieces of silver (roughly equivalent to 50,000 days' wages). What does this tell us about the cost of true discipleship? What might God be asking you to "burn" that has significant value to you?
9. Jesus being "Lord" means surrender isn't something we did once—it's something we do every day. What would daily surrender look like practically in your life this week?
10. Does your life show that the answer is yes before God even asks the question? What area of your life have you been negotiating with God about instead of simply saying yes?

Practical Applications:

1. Set aside 30 minutes this week to prayerfully ask God: "What am I still holding onto that competes with You?” Write down what comes to mind—be honest. Decide on one concrete step to "burn" that thing (delete the app, have the conversation, confess to someone, etc.)
2. Each morning this week, before checking your phone, pray: "Jesus, You are Lord. My answer is yes to whatever You ask today.” Journal each evening about where you said "yes" and where you struggled to surrender
3. Identify one specific area where you've been treating Jesus like a vending machine, life coach, or emergency contact. Confess this to someone in your small group or a close friend and ask them to check in with you Replace that pattern with a new practice (if you only pray in crisis, start a daily prayer habit; if you skip uncomfortable passages, commit to reading them first)
4. Go through your calendar, bank statement, and screen time report. Ask: "If someone only knew me by these three things, would they know Jesus is Lord of my life?” Make one adjustment that better reflects Jesus' lordship.

 Sermon Guide June 14:  Acts 23-26

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Key Takeaways:

1. God is holy, and we are not—but Jesus bridged the gap we couldn't cross ourselves.
2. Faithfulness is measured by faithfulness, not by outcomes.
3. The greatest gift of the gospel is not what Jesus does for us, but Jesus himself.

Discussion Questions: 

1. How does social media influence our definition of success? What are some ways we compare ourselves to others, and how does that affect our contentment?
2. The temple veil was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died. What does this imagery reveal about what Jesus accomplished for us? How does this change our understanding of access to God?
3. Though Acts we see Paul's transformation from persecutor to prisoner for Christ. What stands out to you most about his story? What would have been hardest for you in his situation?
4. Faithfulness is measured by faithfulness, not outcomes. What's the difference between these two measures? Share a time when you were faithful but didn't see the outcome you hoped for. How did that affect you? How might this perspective change the way you approach current challenges?
5. After two years in prison with no visible ministry results, Paul could still say, "I wish you could have what I have.” What specifically did Paul have that circumstances couldn't take away? How is this different from what our culture says we need to be happy?
6. When faithfulness is your goal, problems don't have the same power over you. Do you agree or disagree? Why? How might this principle apply to a specific problem you're facing?
7. Are you currently in a holding pattern where you feel stuck or ineffective? How does Paul's example speak to your situation?
8. If someone asked you, "What do you have that I should want?" how would you answer? Would you point them to Jesus or to your circumstances?
9. Having Jesus doesn't mean the diagnosis changes. It just means you're not alone in the waiting room. How does this truth comfort or challenge you? Share a time when you experienced Christ's presence in a difficult situation.

Practical Applications:

1. Each morning this week, before checking your phone or social media, remind yourself: "My worth is not measured by my circumstances but by my faithfulness to Christ."
2. Write down three things you have in Christ that circumstances cannot take away. Review this list when you feel discouraged.
3. Identify one area where you've been measuring success by outcomes rather than faithfulness. How can you shift your perspective?
4. Share one "holding pattern" you're experiencing with your group or a close friend. Commit to praying for each other daily and checking in mid-week.
5. Plan to share with someone this week (believer or non-believer) about what you have in Christ, not what you've accomplished.

 Sermon Guide June 21:  Romans 1-3

What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why? 

Definitions:

1. Sin: an archery term: to miss the mark
2. Law: a covenant term: God's instructions for how His people are to live
3. Righteousness:a measurement term: perfectly meeting God's standard
4. Justified: a legal term: to be declared righteous by the Judge
5. Grace: a royal term: the undeserved favor of the King
6. Redemption: a rescue term: freedom secured by the payment of a price
7. Atonement: a sacrifice term: a sacrifice that covers sin and restores peace

Key Takeaways:

1. We are more broken than we realize - The law exposes that we've missed the mark entirely, not just by a little bit.
2. We cannot fix ourselves - Neither comparison nor religious effort can make us righteous before God.
3. God has provided what we could never earn - Through Christ's death and resurrection, righteousness is available to all who believe.
4. The entire Bible tells one story - From Genesis 3:15 forward, Scripture points to Jesus as our Redeemer.
5. We now wear Christ's righteousness - When God looks at believers, He sees the perfection of Christ.

Discussion Questions: 

1. The Ten Commandments acts as a "mirror." Which commandment hits you hardest and why?How does the expanded understanding of commandments (like murder including hatred, adultery including lustful thoughts) change your view of your own righteousness?
2. Two ways we typically respond to bad news about our sin are comparison ("at least I'm better than...") and religion (trying harder). Which one do you tend to lean toward? Why do you think that is? Why doesn't "being better than someone else" actually solve our problem before God?
3. What does it mean that we're "dead people who need to be made alive" rather than "bad people who need improvement"? How does this change your understanding of what you need?
4. Share a time when you felt like you were on a spiritual "treadmill"—working hard but getting nowhere. What was that experience like?
5. The entire Old Testament pointed forward to Jesus as the "serpent crusher." Why is it important that this wasn't "Plan B" but God's plan all along?
6. How does understanding the Day of Atonement imagery (the high priest, the mercy seat, the blood) help you appreciate what Jesus accomplished on the cross?
7. Believing isn't just acknowledging Jesus existed, but "leaning your entire eternity on the fact that when Jesus died and rose again, it counted for you." What's the difference between these two kinds of belief?
8. Using the house fire illustration, what does it look like practically to "call the fire department" rather than just acknowledge it exists?
9. Justification means "just as if I never sinned" AND "just as if I've always obeyed." Why are both parts necessary for us to stand before God?
10. How does knowing that Christ's righteousness has been "stamped onto your account" change how you feel about approaching God?

Practical Applications:

1. Each day this week, read through the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) slowly and prayerfully. Journal about how they expose your need for Jesus, and end each time by thanking God for the righteousness of Christ that covers you.
2. Memorize Romans 3:23-24. Set a daily reminder on your phone with the words "But Now,” and when it goes off, pause and thank God for the gospel.
3. Identify one person who needs to hear the "but now" message. Pray for an opportunity to share how Christ has changed your standing before God.
4. Make a list of ways you've experienced God's undeserved favor this week, and share it with your group next time you meet.