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Spring 2010, Week 9 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:01:58 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Is It Over Yet?“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

What kinds of books or magazines do you read? Do you finish the books you start? Do you read your magazines cover-to-cover?

STUDY IT – Acts 28:17-31

Read Acts 28:17-31 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
What’s the first thing Paul does when he gets to Rome (v. 17)? Why?
Read Eph. 6:19-20, Phil. 1:14, and Col. 4:3-4. What was Paul’s constant prayer request for himself? Why?
We’ve spent a lot of time looking at the life and ministry of Paul. Is Acts about Paul’s life and ministry? Why or why not? If not, what is Acts actually about?
Why do you think Luke (the author of Acts) doesn’t finish the story?
V. 31 is similar to other summary verses in Acts (see 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20). What does this ending reveal about Luke’s central concern in writing this book?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

How does v. 31 set the stage for the way your life could become a continuation of Acts 28? In what way would you like to contribute an “Acts, chapter 29” to this movement of God during the next 2-3 years?
Probably within a few years, Paul was killed by emperor Nero. How would v. 31 serve as a fitting epitaph on Paul’s grave? What might you build into your life now, so that your faith in Christ will be what people remember about you after you die?

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Thank God that you get to be a part of the continuing story of Acts. Ask God to help you faithfully live out your calling to be Christ’s witness to the ends of the earth.
Here at Northminster: Pray for Kevin Curtis (our new Young Life Director) and his family as they settle into San Diego this week. Pray for him as he begins his ministry here at Northminster.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for all of the recent graduates in our community. Ask God to guide them as they take the next step in their lives.

Spring 2010, Week 8 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:14:46 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Wherever You Are“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

If you could take cruise anywhere, where would you go? Why?
Have you ever been seasick? What happened? How did you recover?

STUDY IT – Acts 27:1-28:10

Read Acts 27:1-28:10 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
What is Paul’s position as a passenger on this ship (27:1)?
In 27:9-11, why do you think the centurion did not take Paul’s advice?
Compare 27:31 with 27:11. How does the centurion feel about Paul now? About the God Paul serves?
How do Paul’s attitudes and actions compare with those of the sailors? To what would you attribute Paul’s ability to remain calm under pressure?
Name all of the ways in which Paul blessed (or at least tried to bless) those he was with during this voyage and once on the island.

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

In a crisis, Paul reacted with urgent forewarnings, maintaining hope, counseling, common sense, giving thanks, remaining calm, persevering to the end. In comparison, how do you react to crisis?
Paul strove to be a blessing to everyone in whatever situation he found himself. Name one or two situations in your life where you could be a blessing to someone. In what way(s) could you bless the people in those situations?
Is there a “stormy” situation in your life in which you could respond by being a blessing?

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Ask God to show you how you can be a servant and a blessing in a difficult situation.
Here at Northminster: Pray for the family of little Maison Conroy, who was baptized this Sunday. Pray for strength and patience to raise Maison to be a faithful follower of Jesus when he grows up.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for the families of Northminster Preschool as they move into summer. Pray that God would continue to work in each of their lives to draw them closer to him.

Spring 2010, Week 7 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:10:14 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Antidote to Fear“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

What was the most frightening thing that happened to you last week?

STUDY IT – Acts 22:30-23:11

Read Acts 22:30-23:11 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
How does Ananias’ action show that he violates the Old Testament Law? Why (and how) does Paul show respect for the Jewish Law (vv. 1-5)?
Why does Paul change the focus of attention from keeping the Law to his hope in the Resurrection?
What effect does the split between the Pharisees and Sadducees have on Paul’s case (vv. 7-10)?
It’s amazing that the Pharisees actually come to Paul’s defense. Why is that unusual? What do we learn from this passage about the continuity between Christianity and Judaism?
How does Paul’s understanding of “the bigger story” help him to “take courage” (v. 11)?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

Where have you experienced fear or anxiety in your life?
How has the Lord encouraged you during hard times?
What does it mean to you to know that your life is part of something much bigger than yourself?
In what area of your life right now do you need God to stand by you and encourage you? Where do you need to hear Jesus say to you, “Take courage!”

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Pray for each other, asking God to give us courage in the areas of fear in our lives.
Here at Northminster: Pray for our Worship SERVICE Day next Sunday. Pray for energy and strength as we work. And pray that we would truly be a blessing to our neighborhood.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for those in our neighborhood who will experience the benefits of our service next week. Pray that our service will be evidence to them that there is a God who really cares about them.

Spring 2010, Week 6 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Sun, 30 May 2010 21:07:20 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “A Life Abandoned“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

What place did your parents have to drag you to, because you were scared to go there: Circus? Dentist? Elsewhere?

STUDY IT – Acts 21:1-15

Read Acts 21:1-15 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
How is Paul interpreting these warnings differently than his friends do (vv. 4, 10-13; see 20:22-23)? Why doesn’t he listen to their advice?
What else do you know about Agabus (see 11:27-29) that gives credence to his prophecy? Does Paul strike you as courageous or foolish, given this belt-tightening message? Why?
Why does Paul want to go to Jerusalem?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

Does God expect the same level of commitment from us as he did from Paul? Are we all called to abandon our lives like he did?
How far would you go in obeying the call of God? Would you be willing to be bound, humiliated, imprisoned, and suffer for Christ?
Will a life abandoned to God ever be abandoned by God? Why or why not?
Paul’s friends pleaded with him not to give up his life in Jerusalem. Yet he ultimately listened to the voice of God. What costly act of obedience is God calling you to that others may say is going too far?

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Spend a few moments in silent prayer, asking God to help you abandon yourself to him.
Here at Northminster: Pray for the Session (Northminster’s board of elders) this week as they continue to listen to God and discern where God may be leading our church.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for Trinity Life Church an 18-month-old church plant in San Diego affiliated with San Diego Presbytery. Pray for their pastor, Marc Peña, that God would guide him and strengthen him for this ministry.

Spring 2010, Week 5 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:16:46 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “A Boy Named Lucky“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

Describe a time when, much to your embarrassment, you took a spill or fell “off your rocker.”

STUDY IT – Acts 20:7-12

Read Acts 20:7-12 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
Describe the scene in vv. 7-9 in your own words. Who was there? Why were they there? How many people were there? What time was it? Etc.
We know from v. 6 that this story happened soon after the “Festival of Unleavened Bread,” also known as Passover. What significant event happened in the life of Jesus one weekend immediately following the Passover? With that in mind, what might Paul have been speaking to the people about?
Read 1 Kings 17:19-22 and 2 Kings 4:32-35. How do these stories relate to the story of Paul and Eutychus?
Read v. 12. What is the ultimate result of these events for the people who were there? Do you think they experienced a kind of “resurrection,” too? In what way?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

Do you think Eutychus was really dead? Or just knocked out? Does it matter?
Have you ever had an experience of “resurrection” in an area of your life in which you had felt “dead”?
If you feel comfortable sharing, tell your group about an area in your life in which you feel “dead” and in need of resurrection.

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Pray that God would bring resurrection into the dead areas of your life and the lives of your group members.
Here at Northminster: Pray for our Children’s Ministry, and especially for our new Children’s Ministry Director, Sandra Erickson. Thank God for calling her to this ministry and for God’s guidance as she leads the Children’s Ministry.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for Amor Ministries and all those who will be going on the Mexico mission trip next weekend. Pray for God’s blessing on the team going and on those whom they will be serving.

Spring 2010, Week 4 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:00:14 +0000

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

START IT – Connecting with each other

What can you make by using your own hands?

STUDY IT – Acts 19:23-41

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?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

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?

PRAY IT

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.

Spring 2010, Week 3 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:06:05 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Points of Connection“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

If someone made a statue of you, what pose would be most appropriate? What inscription?

STUDY IT – Acts 17:16-34

Read Acts 17:16-34 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
To be noticed by the Greek philosophers of Athens, how extensive must Paul’s activity have been?
What previous understanding of Christianity did these philosophers have?
What does Paul emphasize about God (vv. 23-30)? How does Paul use their own culture and ideas to help them see the weaknesses in the way they relate to deity?
How is this sermon unlike the one to Jews in 13:16-41? Is not using Scripture here a strength or a weakness? Why? How are the sermons alike in terms of what they teach about Jesus?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

What distresses you spiritually about the area in which you live? What specific needs do you see? What do you feel God is calling you to do about it?
Whom do you know who has very little or no background in the Gospel? Could you share the Gospel with someone without quoting Bible verses? Why or why not?
Paul uses idols and Greek philosophy and poetry as points of connection with the Athenians. What points of connection could serve as opportunities for you to relate the Gospel?

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Ask God to help you better listen to the stories of others so that you can better help them connect with the story of Jesus.
Here at Northminster: Pray for Northminster’s Worship Band. Let’s thank God for all their hard work preparing music to help us worship each Sunday. And ask God to encourage and guide them as they continue to lead us in worship each week.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for Plant With Purpose (formerly Floresta), a San Diego based mission organization, that they would be able to help poverty-stricken communities become self-sufficient. Pray for those communities, that they would discover the love of Jesus as Plant With Purpose works with them.

Spring 2010, Week 2 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:37:50 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “Contest of Power“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

As a kid, what deed was guaranteed to get you into trouble with your mom and dad?

STUDY IT – Acts 16:16-40

Read Acts 16:16-40 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
How do you think a shouting slave girl affected the apostles’ mood? Their goals?
Retell verses 17-21 from the perspective of the girl’s owners: What do you feel about her? About your money? About these missionaries?
In light of what happened, how do you think Paul and Silas felt in v. 25? If you were falsely accused, severely beaten and thrown into a dark jail, would you still trust in God’s plan? Why or why not?
What kind of man was the jailer before his salvation (vv. 24, 27, 29-30)? In what ways does the jailer express his new faith in Jesus?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

The girl’s owners rejected the Gospel because it cost them financially. What financial concerns keep some people from faith today? Are any of these a factor for you? In what ways might the issue of power relate to peoples’ financial concerns?
About 12 years later, Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from another prison. How could the events here be the basis for what Paul said in Philippians 4:4-7, 12-13? What can you learn from his example about knowing peace and joy, even in hard times?

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Ask God to help you remember that ultimate power lies with him, even in your most difficult circumstances. Ask God to help you trust him completely.
Here at Northminster: Pray for Northminster Preschool. Ask God to be with the kids, the parents, and the teachers, and that God would be at work in all of their lives.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for Reality Changers, a Christian organization in San Diego that helps at-risk teens be the first in their families to attend college.

Spring 2010, Week 1 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:00:54 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 3” is titled “When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

Have you ever gotten lost (while driving, hiking, etc.)? What happened? How did you get lost? How did you find your way?

STUDY IT – Acts 16:6-10

Read Acts 16:6-10 out loud. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
How do you think Paul and his companions felt when God kept them from preaching the gospel in the regions of Asia and Bythinia?
How did Paul and his companions respond to Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia? Why do you think they responded this way? How do you think they felt?
How do you think Paul and his companions felt about their aimless wandering when they looked back in retrospect?
Bonus question (not really related to the theme at hand, but interesting to note): Notice that v. 10 says, “we got ready….” This is the first time the word “we” is used to describe those involved. What does the use of the word “we” imply? Why is this significant?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

Have you ever had an experience of feeling lost in life—like you didn’t know what to do, where to go, what you were supposed to do? How might this story have been helpful to you at that time?
In what way do you feel lost right now? What kinds of obstacles are you bumping up against? In what area of your life would you love to have some clarity right now?
Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What thoughts come to mind as you read this? In what way are these verses encouraging to you at this time in your life? In what way are they challenging?

PRAY IT

Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Application: Ask God to help you surrender to him so that he might “make your paths straight.”
Here at Northminster: Pray for all of the small groups, that God would reveal himself in new ways to every person who is in a group.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for CCSA (Community Christian Service Agency), that God would provide for them what they need to serve those in need, and that those in need would be blessed by CCSA’s ministry.

Fall 2009, Week 8 – Small Group Questions

wpadmin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:39:03 +0000

The sermon for this week from the series “Acts in 3 Acts: Act 1” is titled “Moses: God’s Man for the Hour of Need“.

START IT – Connecting with each other

As a child, who was the best storyteller you ever heard? What made that person so effective?
Where did your ancestors come from? Do you have any heroes or “black sheep” in the family?

STUDY IT – Acts 7:17-37

Read Acts 6:8-8:1. What stands out for you in this passage? What questions do you have?
What does Stephen’s storytelling (in effect a history lesson) reveal about his respect for the Mosaic Law?
Looking at vv. 17-37, what big emergency is Moses born into? How did God prepare Moses for his mission of rescuing the Israelites from the Egyptians? What parts of his story got him ready?
Moses was 40 years old when he killed the Egyptian and 80 when he saw the burning bush. Take a moment to reflect on that length of time. What does that tell us about God’s timing and our need to be patient?
What parallels does Stephen draw between Moses and Jesus? How does this relate to the charges against him in 6:13-14.
Read Exodus 32:9, 33:3 & 5, and Deuteronomy 10:16. In this context, what is Stephen really saying about the Sanhedrin’s regard for Moses and the Law? What is Stephen implying by his charge against the Sanhedrin in 7:51-53?

LIVE IT – Applying the truth of Scripture to life

How has God been preparing you for the mission he has for your life? What parts of your story might be getting you ready?
Do you have a “prior record” (like Moses did) that you think disqualifies you from doing something significant for God? How might God use your “prior record” to bless others?
In what way might you be feeling “stiff-necked” this week? How will you begin to bow to God in that area?

PRAY IT

Application: Share one way in which you believe God might be able to use you to bless others. Pray for the person on your right, asking God to help them fulfill their mission.
Joys and Challenges: What joys and challenges are you facing this week?
Here at Northminster: Pray for Nate Landis and Urban Youth Collaborative.
Beyond Northminster: Pray for those in our neighborhood who are in need this Thanksgiving.