Sermon Based Group Homework

For the message on November 7, 2021
Passage: Acts 11:1-18

QUICK REVIEW

This Sunday, Mike continued our “Live Sent” series by looking at the inclusion of the Gentiles into the Gospel.

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

What was the wrong crowd to hang out with when you were in school? Did you anyway?

LET’S GO DEEPER

1. In the sermon, Mike talked about the criticism Peter received for eating with the Gentiles because it violated their laws. In response, Peter described how Jesus essentially told him that everyone is available to be reached with the gospel message – Jews and Gentiles alike. With the Gentile acceptance of the gospel and the giving of the Holy Spirit to these new Gentile converts, the message was loud and clear – Jesus died for everyone. How do the following passages encourage you to share with those who are different than you?

Acts 1:8 (NLT2)
8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Colossians 4:2-6 (NLT2)
2  Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3  Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4  Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5  Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Luke 14:12-14 (NLT2)
12  Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13  Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14  Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

 

• How will being “live sent” require us to step outside our comfort zones?

• How can love and compassion help you connect with others who may be different than you?

 

2. While Peter was praying, God showed him that the Gentiles were worthy of the gospel just as much as the Jews. In the message, Mike said that prayer opens our heart to those God wants us to reach out to. How can prayer help us be more focused on others than ourselves? Whose salvation are you praying for or should you be praying for?  Take a moment to list one person you can pray for this week who needs to know Jesus.

 

3. In the message, Mike challenged us to be prepared to tell someone about how they can know Jesus. What principles can you take from the following passages about being prepared to share Jesus with others and live sent?

1 Corinthians 1:17 (NLT2)
17  For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

1 Peter 3:15 (NLT2)
15  Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT2)
2  Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (MSG)
19  Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: 20  religious, nonreligious, 21  meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, 22  the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. 23  I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

• What are some Bible verses that could help you tell someone about how to know Jesus? If you haven’t already, will you commit to memorizing these verses?

 

• When is the last time you told someone how you met Jesus? Would you be willing to tell your story to your group today?

 

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: