Grow Guide | April 28, 2024
Series Theme: Community In Christ
Acts 18:1-10
Connecting Question
What was your first job?
Prayer for Illumination
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ. We rejoice with Christians all over the world today and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. We pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Context
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia. We are a Community in Christ, learning from the formation of the early Christian community in Acts and 1 Corinthians. How did they build community when they had diversity and conflict? Let us look at what we can learn from them. Being in one building will help us live as one community and focus our attention and resources on being community and on being good neighbors. Being community in Christ is BOTH growing in faith and carrying on the work of Jesus Christ. So glad you are here!
From Pastor Sarah Henrich at EntertheBible.org:
Trouble develops when some of the Jews in Corinth bring Paul before a Roman proconsul named Gallio, but Gallio dismisses the attacks on Paul as a matter of religious distinctions with no relevance to civil issues. Paul leaves for Ephesus, where he and the Holy Spirit make clear that miracles can be done only by those who sincerely believe in Jesus’ name.
Look at the Book
Open to Acts 18. In the last chapter, the disciples travelled to Thessalonica. Where are they headed now with Paul?
The book of Acts contain many stories of journeys that were filled with frustrations. Tell about a journey you took that was filled with frustration, and now you look back on fondly.
The Holy Spirit equipped these early believers to share the good news about Jesus with two main groups of people: Jews and Gentiles. Whether through work or life, who is a group of people you may not normally encounter, that you now see the image of God in them?
According to Acts 18:1-4, how did the early church spread? How did doors open for the good news?
Have you ever worked with someone that shared your faith? What was that like?
Paul was preaching every Sabbath. What do you know about the Apostle Paul?
Verse 6 is antisemitic and can be dangerous in its interpretation. Why is that?
Has someone ever made assumptions about you? What was that experience like?
Our focus words this week are: share, separate, safety. Which word are you drawn to? Why?
What were the results of Paul’s preaching in verse 8?
In verse 9, Paul “heard God speaking.” How? What are practices Christians use to connect with God? What has been meaningful to you?
What is the key promise in verse 10? Why does that matter for us today?
What is the encouragement for Paul (frustrated in verse 6) in verses 9-10?
We are a “Community In Christ.” How does that happen in our homes?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Who is someone who prayed for you? Who is someone you can pray for this week?
When do you feel called to “speak and do not be silent?”
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.