Spring 2010, Week 4 – Small Group Questions

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Getting Into Holy Trouble“.

Read Acts 19:23-41 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
Why would Demetrius rally people against Paul (vv. 25-27)? Since the temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, what businesses would Paul be affecting?
Consider the crowd (vv. 32-34). What do they see and hear? Why are they there? Why are the Jews trying to get a speaker to represent them? Why would Alexander be shouted down?

What are some idols in San Diego that people worship instead of God? (These can be material like a Lexus or immaterial values like “comfort” and “convenience.”)
Have you ever gotten into trouble for following Jesus and not submitting to other “idols”?
Do we have the right to tell others that they are following gods that will not satisfy and save them?
What would it look like if Northminster caused a “riot” in Clairemont? What would spark such a riot? What we teach? What we do? Would Jesus be pleased?
Why are America’s churches better at serving tea than causing riots?
How is Jesus asking you to shake things up at home, at work, and in your community this week?

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Ask God to help you be willing to take risks to see God’s kingdom grow in our city.
Here at Northminster: Pray for Nate Landis (our Parish Associate) and Urban Youth Collaborative, that God would continue to reach into the schools of San Diego and draw students to himself.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for all those in our neighborhood who have not experienced the life-giving love of God. Pray that we might take the risk to connect with them so that they might experience God’s love through us.