Fall 2009, Week 7 – Small Group Questions

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 1” is titled “What’s So Great About a Crisis?“.

Read Acts 6:1-7 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
Read Acts 2:44-45 and Acts 4:32. Given what these verses say, how could the Hellenistic widows be neglected?
What are some possibilities for how the apostles could respond to this crisis? What are some negative responses? What are some positive responses?
Why would the church choose Greek-speaking Jews to fill all seven positions (v. 5)?
According to v. 7, what was the result of how this crisis was handled? Why do you think this was the outcome? How does this relate to Acts 1:8.

What issues hinder our church from fulfilling Acts 1:8?
What principles in this passage could help free our church for a wider mission?
What are some ways that you, personally, might contribute to the solution of Northminster’s current “crisis”?
Is there a “crisis” in your life at this time? How do you think you can respond to that crisis in a way that will lead to life and growth?
What is God asking you to work on? How can we help?

Application: On a small piece of paper, write down how you can respond to either 1) Northminster’s crisis or 2) a crisis in your own life. Place everyone’s paper in the middle of the group and have 2 or 3 people pray over those written responses.
Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Here at Northminster: Pray for Northminster’s current financial situation. Ask God 1) to provide for us and 2) to help us be a blessing to those around us regardless of our finances.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for those in our neighborhood who are barely making ends meet. Ask God to provide for them, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.