Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on October 3, 2021
Passage: Acts 7:54-8:4
QUICK REVIEW
This Sunday, Mike kicked off our new series called “Live Sent” with a message entitled “Define the Win.”
Looking back at your notes from Sunday’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, caught your attention, or challenged you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
When have you stood strong in your faith when it wasn’t easy?
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. One way Mike encouraged us to influence non-believers for Christ is by being courageous with our faith. There is a powerful example of this seen in the life, preaching, and death of the martyr Stephen. According to the verses below, what are some of the ways that God helps us have a courageous faith?
John 14:27 (NLT2)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT2)
Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
Matthew 10:16-20 (NLT2)
16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
2. Who is a believer you’ve looked up to because of their courageous faith?
3. This Sunday we were encouraged to pray for non-believers to come to know Christ in the same way that Stephen prayed for Saul and his accusers. Read the following teaching by Jesus and summarize what Jesus said about how we should go about influencing the lost.
Matthew 5:43-47 (NLT2)
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
4. Can you name those who prayed for your salvation? Do you think their prayers made a difference?
5. Another way that we can influence non-believers to consider following Jesus is the way we respond to the trials in our lives. The believers in Jerusalem had to leave Jerusalem because of the persecution they experienced. Instead of giving up, the took the message of salvation through Jesus to Judea and Samaria. What trials are you going through? Is your response to these difficulties helping draw others to Jesus?
6. Have you ever been persecuted or treated differently for your faith in Jesus? If so, how?
7. As you conclude your group time together, finish with a time of prayer for believers around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus.
TAKE IT HOME
1. What is your biggest takeaway from this sermon and study?
2. Do you have any prayer requests for your group?
Prayer Requests:
