Sermon Guide

May 10: John 21

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus doesn't discard us when we fail - Our worst moments don't define us; His grace does.
2. Jesus meets us in our shame - He deliberately walks into our darkest moments to bring healing, not condemnation.
3. Restoration requires vulnerability - Jesus can't heal what we won't let Him touch.
4. Our identity is in Christ, not our failures - We are defined by His wounds, not ours.
5. God uses broken people - Jesus is the king of using screw-ups and the least qualified to accomplish great things.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Peter's personality was extreme - high highs and low lows. How do you relate to Peter's "all in or not at all" approach to life? Where do you see yourself in his story?
2. In John 21, Peter went back to fishing after Jesus' death. What are the "fishing boats" in your life - the familiar places or habits you return to when you're confused or hurting?
3. Why do you think Jesus specifically asked the angel to mention Peter by name ("Go tell the disciples and Peter")? What does this tell us about how God sees us in our failure?
4. Jesus intentionally built a charcoal fire - the same kind of fire where Peter denied Him. Why would Jesus recreate that painful memory? How does this change your understanding of how Jesus deals with our shame?
5. Jesus doesn't heal what you don't let him touch. What wounds or failures have you been hiding from Jesus (or others) that need His healing touch?
6. Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me?" three times - once for each denial. How does this surgical approach to restoration speak to you? What might Jesus be asking you three times?
7. After Peter's failure, Jesus gave him the most important job: "Feed my sheep." What does this teach us about how God views our usefulness after we've messed up?
8. Jesus told Peter "mind your business" when Peter asked about John's future. In what ways do you compare your journey to others? How does this comparison steal your focus from following Jesus?
9. You are not your screw-up, you are not your vice, you are not your addiction, you are not your failures. In Christ, you're His. Which of these false identities do you struggle with most? How can this truth set you free?
10. Peter went from denying Jesus by a fire to dying for Jesus on a cross. What do you think made the difference? How can we experience that same transformation?
11. Your love for Jesus is real and it matters, but it's not the thing that holds us all together. It's His love for you. How does shifting focus from our love to His love change the way you approach your relationship with God?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify one area of shame or failure you've been hiding. Share it with a trusted Christian friend or this small group, and ask them to pray for you specifically about this area.
2. Write down the lies you believe about yourself based on your failures. Next to each lie, write the truth from Scripture about who you are in Christ. Read these truths aloud each morning this week.
3. Notice when you compare yourself to others this week. Each time you catch yourself, pray: "Jesus, help me follow YOU, not them.” Journal about what unique calling or personality trait God might be redeeming in you.
4. Build your own "charcoal fire” by Identifying a specific failure or moment of shame in your past, and invite Jesus into that memory through prayer. Ask Him to show you how He was present even then and how He wants to redeem it.
5. Scripture for Further Study
1. Luke 5:1-11 - Peter's first encounter with Jesus and the miraculous catch
2. Matthew 16:13-23 - Peter's confession and immediate rebuke
3. Matthew 26:69-75 - Peter's denial
4. Acts 2:14-41 - Peter's Pentecost sermon
5. Acts 4:1-20 - Peter's boldness before the religious leaders
6. Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come"

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 Sermon Guide May 17:  Acts 4

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Go to Your People - In crisis, the apostles immediately went to their community of believers for support and prayer.
2. Prayer Should Be Our First Instinct - They didn't strategize first; they prayed first, acknowledging God's sovereignty.
3. Ground Yourself in Scripture - Knowing God's Word helps us understand what He has and hasn't promised, giving us proper expectations.
4. Ask for Boldness, Not Just Relief - Their prayer wasn't to remove the problem but to give them courage to remain obedient.
5. Boldness Comes from God's Presence - The Holy Spirit empowers us to do what God calls us to do.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Read Acts 4:23-31. Break down the apostles' prayer. What did they acknowledge about God before making their request? Why is this significant?
2. Who are "your people"—the community you turn to in times of crisis? If you don't have this, what steps can you take to find or build this community?
3. Is prayer your first instinct? Be honest—what is typically your first response when facing a problem or crisis? How can you make prayer more instinctual?
4. The apostles prayed for boldness to continue being obedient rather than for God to remove the threat. When have you prayed for relief instead of for strength to remain faithful? What would change if you shifted your prayers?
5. Knowing Scripture helps us understand what God has and hasn't promised. What are some things people commonly expect from God that He hasn't actually promised? What has He promised?
6. What does "living boldly" look like in your everyday life? Consider these areas:
1. At work or school
2. In your neighborhood
3. On social media
4. In your family relationships
5. In your church community
7. Three weapons Satan uses against the church are deception (abandoning truth), seduction (abandoning holiness), and persecution. Which of these do you see most prevalent in today's culture? In your own life?
8. Like the example about needing a fresh reminder of God's Holy Spirit during a stressful mission trip. When have you experienced God's presence in a tangible way during a difficult time?

Practical Applications:

1. Build Your Community: Reach out to someone in the group or church to develop a deeper friendship. Invite someone to coffee or lunch specifically to build relationship. Join a serving team or ministry to connect with others.
2. Scripture Grounding: Memorize one promise from Scripture that brings you comfort or courage. Study one passage that reminds you of God's sovereignty. Write down 3-5 biblical truths you can return to during difficult times.
3. Practice Bold Obedience: Invite a coworker or neighbor to lunch with the intention of building relationship. Share your testimony with someone this week. Take a step of obedience you've been putting off (serving, giving, reconciling a relationship).
4. Prayer Focus: Each day this week, start your prayers by acknowledging God's sovereignty (as creator, as revealed in Scripture, as active in history). Pray specifically for boldness in one area where you've been holding back. Ask God for a fresh reminder of His Holy Spirit's presence

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 Sermon Guide May 24:  Acts 9

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

Key Takeaways:

1. Saul's Confrontation (Acts 9:1-9) God's grace initiates our salvation, not our seeking.
2. Saul's Conversion (Acts 9:10-19) God used an ordinary believer (Ananias) in extraordinary obedience. True conversion leads to immediate life change.
3. Saul's Confession (Acts 9:20-22) The scandal: the least likely person was chosen and transformed

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why do you think Jesus asked Saul, "Why are you persecuting ME?" instead of "Why are you persecuting my followers?" What does this teach us about the relationship between Jesus and His church?
2. What was risky about God's instructions to Ananias? How did Ananias respond, and what can we learn from his example?
3. Where is God asking you to obey? Take a moment to reflect silently, then share if comfortable. What is God calling you to do that makes you uncomfortable or afraid?
4. Some of us have dramatic conversion experiences like Paul, while others are raised in godly homes. Share your own faith journey. How did you come to know Jesus?
5. "What scales need to fall from your eyes?" What areas of spiritual blindness might God be revealing in your life right now? Legalism (trusting in good works)? Prejudice against certain people? Materialism or other distractions? Self-righteousness?
6. The gospel, when it was on its way to you, it was on its way to someone else. Who has God placed in your life that needs to hear about Jesus? What's holding you back from sharing with them?
7. Who is your Saul? Who is someone you think is too far gone for God to save? How does Saul's story challenge that belief?
8. Saul's changed LIFE proved Jesus was the Messiah, not just his words. If someone observed your life this past week without hearing you speak, would they know you follow Jesus? Why or why not?
9. Saul was baptized immediately after regaining his sight—before even eating. If you've been baptized, what did that mean to you? If you haven't been baptized but have accepted Christ, what's holding you back?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify Your "Saul": Write down the name of one person you think is "too far gone" and commit to praying for their salvation daily this week.
2. Obedience Over Comfort: Identify one specific area where God is calling you to obey despite fear. Share it with one person in the group for accountability.
3. Examine Your Trust: List the "good things" you might be trusting in instead of Jesus (career, family, reputation, good works). Confess these and surrender them to Christ.
4. Public Confession: If your faith has been a "private secret," take one step this week to make it public (share your testimony with a friend, post something meaningful about your faith, have a spiritual conversation with a coworker).
5. Pray for Bold Obedience: Commit to praying for each other's specific areas of obedience throughout the week. Pair up with another in your group and check in mid-week about how you're doing with your commitment.

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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?