Acts Week Twenty

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SENT: Week 20 – A Colorblind Gospel Open in Prayer W elcom e/Introductions/Cast Vision Rem ind the Grow Group of the ground rules Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story.] Cornelius was a Roman officer who was a devout and God-fearing man. One day, a holy angel appeared to Cornelius and instructed him to summon Peter to his house in order to hear his message. When Peter arrived in Caesarea, Cornelius was waiting for him along with his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered his home, Cornelius shared what the angel had spoken to him. Peter begins to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who have assembled. Tell the story – this week’s passage is Acts 10:34-48 [Have someone tell the story.] Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember.] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted.] Discuss these questions:

1. What do we learn about God from this passage? [God loves everyone and desires a personal relationship with us; there is no partiality with God; God reveals truth to us; God’s timing is always perfect; He brings people into our lives to encourage and challenge us at just the right time; God has commanded all of us to share the good news of Jesus with others; God is the supreme Judge; Jesus is Lord; everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sin; God loves the nations; etc.]

2. What do we learn about Man/Us from this passage? [I can struggle with thoughts of prejudice; I am prone to judge others by their outward appearance; I don’t often respond to God with faith; I have no valid reason not to trust Jesus; I am afraid to share the gospel with others; I fear man more than I fear God; I don’t think that certain people deserve God’s grace and forgiveness; I don’t deserve God’s grace and forgiveness; I am only saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; etc.]

3. What is God saying to you specifically through this passage as it pertains to your life, marriage, family, and work? 4. What is God leading you to do? Other Q uestions specific to this passage:

1. With whom is God leading you to have a gospel-centered conversation? 2. Where is God leading you to take the gospel this year? Assign next week’s passage – Acts 11:19-30 [Ask someone to tell the story next week.] Close in Prayer

Sent: Week 20 – Leadership Coaching The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Grow Group Leader. Each week, we will include concepts, challenges, and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your Grow Group and grow as a disciple yourself.

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] This week during Grow Group, pay attention to some leadership basics. Make eye contact with the person who is speaking. Be intentional with silence. Use the phrase, “Thank you for sharing.” Pray for each other during group time this week. You can use a round robin approach and pray for the person on your right or left, or you can pair up and pray. This gives your group a chance to lift one another up, to further invest in one another, and to practice praying out loud. Be sensitive that this may be new for some people so encourage simple, direct prayer.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] If you don’t get to all the questions during Grow Group, try emailing the remaining questions to the group during the week and encourage them to “Reply All” with their thoughts. This is a great way to engage the group in a continuing dialogue about the story.

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] This week our story talks about Peter and his time alone with God. Even in hunger, Peter sought God so intensely that nothing kept his focus off of the Lord. When was the last time that you gave this sort of attention to God? I encourage you this week to set aside a time to seek God’s face. This is not a time to present God with your agenda, but as a time to hear what He has to say to you.