Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on February 13, 2022
Passage: Acts 13:1-12
QUICK REVIEW
In part 1 of our Resilient series based in the book of Acts, Mike talked about how God uses us to spread the gospel to others. In the message, Mike shared that Paul and his companions surrendered their heart, sought opportunities to tell others about Jesus, and prepared for opposition.
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 faced opposition for your faith in Jesus? How did you respond? Looking back, would you have done anything different?
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. In the message, Mike noted that Paul and Barnabas were worshiping, fasting, and praying when the Spirit placed a calling on their life to take the Gospel to the Gentile nations of the day. Because they had surrendered or yielded their heart to the Lord, they obeyed and set out for Cyprus, the hometown of Barnabas (Acts 4:36). What can you learn from the following passages about how to get your heart in position to be used by the Lord?
Job 11:13-19 (NLT2)
13 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! 14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. 15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. 16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. 17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. 18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. 19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT2)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (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. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
What are some reasons why we don’t hear and respond to the Spirit’s promptings?
What can we do to make sure our ears are attentive to the Spirit’s leading in our lives?
2. Mike talked about how Paul and his companions looked for open doors and open hearts in which to share their message about Jesus. These opportunities are all around us! In our pursuit to “live sent,” what can we learn about seeking open doors and open hearts from the following passages?
1 Corinthians 16:5-9 (NLT2)
5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. 8 In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. 9 There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
2 Corinthians 2:1-17 (NLT2)
12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him. 14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.
Acts 16:13-15 (NLT2)
13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
Notice at the beginning of each of these passages, Paul was on the move. Why is it difficult to make an impact for the gospel if we mainly huddle around other believers (which is a good thing to an extent) and rarely go out and engage people living in our communities?
Can you think of a time when the Spirit nudged you to talk with someone about Jesus? What happened?
3. While we should expect opposition when we are living for Jesus and telling others about Him, we may not always respond in the best way when opposition presents itself. What encouragement or insight do the following verses provide to assist you in the future when you encounter those opposed to your faith? Circle, highlight or underline key action phrases that stand out to you.
1 Peter 3:9 (NLT2)
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
Luke 6:28 (NLT2)
28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Proverbs 3:29-31 (NLT2)
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. 30 Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. 31 Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.
Titus 2:7-8 (NLT2)
7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Titus 3:2 (NLT2)
2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
How much of the above applies to how we represent ourselves on social media? Is Jesus pleased with the words you type in emails, texts, and apps? Based on the above passages, does anything need to change in the manner in which you use today’s technologies?
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:
