Small Group Guide
THE GREATEST ENTERPRISE IN HUMAN HISTORY
The Church at Brook Hills Matt Mason January 17, 2016 Acts 1
MAIN TRUTH
Message Outline
To download the outline for this week’s sermon, visit brookhills.org/media.
Message Summary
In Acts 1, we see that the same Jesus who appeared to the apostles calls His church through the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness of Him to all nations. As we read this book, it should not be the literary version of a history museum tour; instead, reading The Acts of the Apostles should stir us to worship God, to engage in meaningful membership in the church, and to participate in the Great Commission. God has invited us to join Him in the greatest enterprise in human history – reclaiming our fallen world through the work of His Son and the Spirit-empowered witness of His people. While we all might have different vocations, this is the defining call of our lives as Christ-followers. Why would we want to just dabble in the greatest cause on earth when we can invest in our lives in the joyful service of the King?
WHY IT MATTERS
Digging Deeper
At the beginning of the sermon, Pastor Matt provided background information about Acts – authorship of the book, setting, original audience, literary style, etc. – in order to provide a foundation for this sermon series. Depending on group members’ exposure to Bible study, consider discussing the purpose of such background work when studying Scripture. For example, how does knowing the original audience or the purpose of Acts shape our understanding of the book? Share how you study the Bible and use such information. It might also be helpful to highlight where such information can be gleaned. If you do talk about secondary resources such as commentaries, please remind the group that such resources should not replace our study of the Bible itself. They are simply meant as aids to supplement and augment our understanding of Scripture.
As we begin this sermon series through Acts, Pastor Matt highlighted three purposes of the church: worship, nurture, and mission. Describe each of these three areas. How are each of these purposes evident in the book of Acts? Why are each of these three areas vital to the church’s purpose? What do each of these areas look like in your own life, in your small group, and at Brook Hills?
NOW WHAT DO WE DO?
Group Discussion & Application
Use the following questions to examine what the sermon and its text mean, to apply the Word to your life, and to guide how you pray.
1. Read Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-11. Why are Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to the apostles so vital? How did the post-resurrection appearances of Christ affect the apostles, especially their preaching and ministry?
2. Read 1 John 1:1-2, Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, and Luke 24:11, 36-40. How do we know that Christ actually rose from the dead?
3. How does the doctrine of the resurrection affect our faith? What would happen to Christianity if the resurrection did not occur?
4. How does Jesus’ resurrection affect us today?
5. Why would people today struggle to believe that Jesus is risen? What types of things could you share with someone who questions the resurrection?
6. How is the work of the church both spiritual and practical in Acts 1? Today?
7. Read Acts 1:15-26. Why would the eleven apostles replace Judas’ position among them?
8. In the sermon, Pastor Matt noted that, as we read Acts, there are things we must replicate, things we may replicate, and things we do not replicate. How do we know what we should imitate from Acts and what we should not replicate?
9. What principles can we glean and apply from Acts 1:15-26? What practices or principles from this passage would we not repeat today? Why?
10. What is the difference between description and prescription? How do we recognize the difference when studying Scripture?
11. How do we fight against self-reliance in our lives and in our churches? Why should we?
12. Why do we pray as believers?
13. What does it look like to devote ourselves to prayer? Why do we not do this?
14. Why is mission not an optional activity for Christ-followers?
15. How does a church or a believer drift away from mission participation? How do we avoid this in our lives, our small groups, and as a church?
16. How are you participating in God’s mission where He has you now?
17. How are you financially supporting those we send out as a church? How can you plan for this in 2016?
18. How are you praying for the missionaries and church planters that we send out?
19. What does God want to do in you, your small group, and this church as we journey through Acts this year? How does He want to shape you already through Acts 1?
Resources for Small Group Leaders
Weekly Prayer Focus (from Our Worship Guide)
· Pray for Our Lives:
o Praise God for His Word and the establishment of His Church.
o Ask the Spirit to guide our study of Acts and to unite us together as a church around our purpose and mission.
o Ask for opportunities for gospel witness in your own life and for the Spirit to make us effective witnesses for Christ.
· Pray for Our City:
o Pray for racial reconciliation and unity among believers in Birmingham.
o Pray for New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Thomas Beavers.
· Pray for Our World:
o Pray for Brook Hills Member Organization, Vapor International.
§ Vapor aims to establish sustainable centers for alleviating poverty and multiplying disciples in third-world environments.
§ Through sports leagues at the Vapor Centers in Haiti, Kenya, and Togo, many people are able to hear of Christ and be discipled while having their basic needs met.
“The Greatest Enterprise in Human History,” January 17, 2016 | Page 1