Sun 9:30 & 11:15 AM
Sun 10:00 AM
Sun 10:00 AM
Sun 10:30 AM
Sun 10:00 AM
Sun 10:00 AM
Use this growth guide to follow along with our new series, Unstoppable. They will help you build a habit of reading scripture and introduce you to spiritual practices that will help you connect with God in meaningful ways.
There are also weekly group discussion questions that you can utilize in your small group. Grab a group of friends and start this journey towards growing with Christ.
Use these questions as a guide for your small group discussions as you do life together.
The book of Acts describes an ideal model for the Church. What was going on during this time that affected how they functioned and gathered, and why? What evidence do we have that this model was not always followed later in the first century Church?
Our English Bible uses the word “fellowship” which in Greek is “Koinonia,” meaning deep, intimate spiritual community. How is this meaningful to you personally and what does it mean to us as a community?
What are some valuable aspects of the early Church practices described in Acts 2:42 (teaching, fellowship and prayer), and how can you see them applying in our context today—both in our modern church life and during this pandemic?
What was the outcome of each of these practices? How is that to be our outcome and how can we do this in today’s culture? What would happen to us and the community around us as a result?
Personally, what do you see as the greatest reward of being in an authentic Christ-centered community with others? What can be some challenges?
How can we improve or grow as a community, in both small and larger settings, to be more like this first-century model—knowing we’re not going to be perfect in doing so?
How can we pray for this and for one another as a community?
What was Peter and John’s motivation for approaching the man at the temple gate? What was his reaction?
What can we offer that is beyond what is physical to those that are in need in our world today, individually and as a church?
How was there a power shift in God’s power from Heaven to Earth? What did that look like back then? What does it look like now, both in our world and in your life personally?
How, through the book of Acts, is there a shift in God’s presence? How have you seen God’s presence in your life? Have you ever experienced that shift?
What were the challenges the Church was facing in these verses? How do these challenges look similar to the Church today?
How did the Apostles approach the problem at hand?
Luke seems to focus on the idea that in order to help meet the needs of the Church, we need to empower others to serve. What are some ways we can help others find a place to serve in and through the Church?
What are the characteristics that the apostles were looking at to expand their serving team?
What does it mean and how is it significant to be “spirit-filled” servants?
What were the results when these seven people were appointed? (see Acts 6:7)
What impact can a church that embraces the attitude “to serve” and not “be served” make?
What does your role in serving the church to further the mission of Jesus look like?
How do you need help, and how can we pray for each other in our roles?
Verses 1-2
Why was Saul so zealous to persecute Christians? Base your response on your weekly reading of chapters 1-8 of how the religious viewed the beginning of “The Way.”
Verses 3-9
If you were one of Saul’s companions, what would you have been thinking and feeling upon seeing a flash of light and hearing what they heard? What about Saul's condition as a result?
Have you experienced a “blinded by the light” moment that changed the direction you were heading in life? When, and what was it?
Verses 10-17
Who was Ananias, and what did God tell him to do? How would you have felt if you were in his shoes?
When has there been a moment you had to confront a person's beliefs? How did you feel, and what were the results?
Verses 18-19
What do you think is the reason Jesus temporarily blinded Saul in the first place? How does it speak to you that the Lord takes scales off our spiritual eyes to get His perspective?
Verses 20-22
What were the results of Saul’s conversion? How does someone’s fresh experience with Jesus encourage others who have known him for a long time? Those who have never known him?
What “Sauls” – those who you think would be the last people to accept Christ into their lives – can we pray for as a group, that they would experience spiritual sight and find the value in surrender to Jesus? How can you ask the Lord to give you encouragement to reach out to them?
Verses 1-3
What do you speculate is the reason this group was upset with Peter for sharing Jesus to a non-Jewish people?
How would you say that would be equivalent to doing the same in our day?
Verses 4-10
Of Peter telling of his account, what do you make of the imagery of animals on a sheet, and why would God reveal His will to him this way?
Why was the initial message so much more profound than just forbidden foods?
Is this radical religious paradigm shift evidence that God changes? Explain your answer.
Verses 11-18
What was Peter's confirmation that the gospel of Jesus is not just for a select few?
How would you respond to Peter’s question to himself, “Who was I that I could stand in the way?”
What ways can we unintentionally stand in the way of non-believers becoming Christ followers?
How does this passage speak to how our mentality must change to reach more people with the gospel? What are some new methods we can employ without compromising the message of Jesus?
How can we take next steps to reach those outside our circle as a group? How can we pray for this?
Read Acts 13:13 (“John” is John-Mark). What do you speculate is behind Paul’s refusal to take John Mark on their next missionary journey? How about Barnabas' reason to include him?
Do you have an example when you felt God leading you to say “no” to someone? How did it go and what were the results?
Luke says, “there was a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.” How does that speak to you regarding the humanity of these early apostles as well as conflicts we can have as Christians today?
How would you describe healthy ways of dealing with conflict between Christ followers?
What was the result of Paul and Barnabas' conflict?
How did this conflict end up benefiting the mission of the church?
How can not always seeing things the same way drive the mission of church forward without bringing division?
In what ways could you use prayer to handle differences of opinion without bringing division in your life today?
Paul saw many idols in Athens. What kind of idols do you see in our culture today? How about even in the church?
What do you picture Paul was thinking and feeling as he was brought before these Greek philosophers? How would you have felt in his position?
What do you imagine is the reason for Paul’s initial question in verse 22? (For more context, read what he observed when first entering Athens in verse 16.)
How does Paul’s decision to focus on this one particular idol the Greeks called “Unknown God” create a platform in which to share about God’s redemptive plan through Christ?
Paul, throughout his sharing to this non-Jewish, pre-Christian group, doesn’t use any scripture whatsoever nor the name of Jesus. Why didn’t he, and how was it effective? What was the response from the Greeks to his omission?
How does Paul model how to find common ground with those in our world today who don’t consider the authority of the Bible or care much for Christianity?
Using Paul’s example, what are some ways we can be wiser and more effective in sharing the gospel to our post-Christian world today?
Why does Paul give a goodbye speech to the church in Ephesus? What is assumed will happen to him as he returns to Jerusalem?
In verse 19, Paul recounts his humble efforts and struggles with opposition. Why do you think there was so much resistance to the Gospel? Why does the “good news” seem like bad news to others?
Verse 20 expresses the importance of not shrinking back from leading and teaching the church. When have you felt tempted to shrink back in your faith when faced with challenges? What was the result?
Verse 24 says to “finish the course.” What does he mean by that, and how can we be finishers in our faith today?
Verse 28 is directed to church leaders. How might they protect the flock in what ways? What is our role as part of the church as well?
How would verse 29 be alarming to those Paul is leaving behind, and does it relate to challenges in the Christian world today? How do we protect the church yet still push forward with the mission of Jesus?
In just the same way Paul did, how would you in your own words sum up your parting words to the church community you are part of?
Paul is brought to trial accused of breaking both religious laws and disturbing Roman control. Why was he perceived as such a threat, and why is the gospel–“the good news”–such a threat to those outside the faith?
Paul expresses the reason he is on trial is based on hope? What does he mean by this? How can we find ourselves on trial for the hope we have?
The best defense of any trial is testimony. How does this become a powerful method for Paul to share his conversion and calling story? How have you been able to share your testimony of hope with others before?
Once Paul shares his story, he turns the conversation toward the Messiah’s coming through Jesus. What was the reaction of the King, and why did Paul get such a response (verse 24)?
Why does Paul appeal to King Agrippa’s intellect to connect with him?
What do you speculate was the King’s motive in his response: curiosity or sarcasm?
King Agrippa seemed almost convinced. How was this a great sadness for Agrippa and for those who you know that are “almost saved”?
If you were put on trial for the hope you have, how much evidence would there be to convict you?
Who do you know that needs the hope of Jesus that we can pray for this week?
After hearing of Paul’s shipwreck during the journey to Rome, what stood out the most that spoke to you?
What stands out to you about the way that Paul acts on the ship? How do the others on the ship respond to him?
How specifically does Paul demonstrate and communicate his faith?
How would you describe your current “storm”? What are some of the challenges you are facing? Who are you really trusting? What are your current systems, structures, and routines? Probability and statistics? God’s grace?
Paul encourages all on the ship, “So take courage! For I believe in God. It will be just as He said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” Where does Paul get his strength and perspective?
Think about the reality of the pain in your current and future circumstances. What can you learn and apply from Paul’s example?
How do these last two verses of Acts speak of the very reason why Paul survived to make it to Rome? How does that give you purpose in surviving life’s storms to tell others of Jesus?
As we look over the entire Unstoppable series in the book of Acts, what impacts you the most in how you will change or take action in your life from what you learned?