Grow Guides

Text Study for Sunday, May 18, 2025

Series Theme: Called Together And Sent Out Reading: Acts 6:1-7

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

Have you spoken up when someone was being treated unfairly? What was the situation?

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Everlasting God, the whole universe sings a new song of praise: the rivers clap their hands, the hills ring out for joy. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us voices ready to cry out for justice and proclaim resurrection joy wherever your Spirit leads us. In Jesus’ name we boldly pray. Amen.

CONTEXT

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! As Christians we are “Called Together and Sent Out!” This sermon series will explore ways the earliest believers were both brought together throughout diverse settings and sent out into the world to share the good news. We will learn from stories that bridge differences and find common ground in faith. How can Easter learn from these stories to both build community and continue to always look beyond to love and serve?

From Dr Sarah Henrich at EntertheBible.org:

The Acts of the Apostles portrays Jesus’ followers from their days with the risen Jesus in Jerusalem to Paul’s mission in Rome. Initial chapters focus on the life of the early community of believers in Jerusalem and the work of the Holy Spirit among them. Called, inspired, and even driven by the Holy Spirit, the apostles and associates spread the gospel throughout the eastern Mediterranean world. Relating Paul’s dramatic call to spread the news of Jesus (9:1‒18; 22:3‒21; 26:1‒23) is the central emphasis of the second half of Acts. The final verse of Acts summarizes the book’s themes: welcome of all, bold proclamation and teaching about the kingdom of God, and God’s plan as unstoppable.

LOOK AT THE BOOK

How is it with your spirit this week?
Easter is a season of new life...in Christ. Where have you seen signs of new life this week?
Open to Acts 5:12. What is happening as a result of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2?
Jump to Acts 6:1. What was happening in the first part of the verse?
More and more people were being drawn to new life found in Jesus. We celebrate more people coming to a church community. How can it also be a challenge?
Easter can be described as a big church. What is the story about who welcomed you into the Easter community? How did it happen?
In Acts 6:1, what is the presenting problem?
Hellenists were Jews who spoke Greek; Hebrews were Jews who spoke Aramaic. Language becomes a key barrier. How have you experienced language being a barrier?
What gifts do you bring to a community? In Acts 6, some people were gifted with engaging with the word of God, others were gifted with service. Everyone has a gift to share. Everyone can engage with God’s word!
How did the early church solve this issue according to verse three? What was the response of the community in verse 4?
What was the result of the community working through a problem together in verse 7?
Why do you think people give up on Christian community when there are disagreements rather than work through them, as is the biblical model?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME
Have someone gently lay a hand on you as we pray the prayer below.

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.

Grow Guide | May 18, 2025