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Acts

Acts 11 – Overcoming the Barriers to bringing Hope to the world

By November 11, 2019April 21st, 2020No Comments
OB One Small Group Notes
11/10/19
The Acts of Jesus: The Story Continues – Week 12

Delivered by Pastor Kris Langdon
 
Passages Used: Acts 11:17, John 8:11, Acts 11:2-21
Today’s Question: How do you want to move past “survival” in your Christian walk & into really making a difference for Jesus?
As a group, open up by reading Acts 11 together.
Person 1: Acts 11:1-5
Person 2: Acts 11:6-12
Person 3: Acts 11:13-17
Person 4: Acts 11:18-21
Pray for God to guide your conversation together, & for the Holy Spirit to give wisdom & insight.
Q1: The Proper Attitude
We all have times where we need someone to remind us to look beyond today’s troubles or controversies. There are so many things trying to grab our attention everyday that don’t build us up or deserve the time we give them.
  • Why is it important to maintain a “make a difference” attitude?
  • What are our greatest distractions when it comes to making a difference?
  • What type of situations does God use to reach your heart? What does He do to turn your ear/heart to the hurting? (Rhetorical: Do we hear their cry?)
Q2: Gaining Perspective
In Acts 10, we saw Peter’s perspective being opened up. God then uses Peter’s new perspective to open the eyes of the other Christians in Acts 11. Because God opened up his eyes & heart, Cornelius & his family were saved.
Who am I to think I can stand in God’s way?” – Peter in Acts 11
  • How might your story in Christ help change someone’s perspective?
  • What elements of His work in you might stand out for someone else?
  • Does knowing God can/will use you and your story to reach others help you?
  • How have you seen God draw glory to Himself through the story He is writing in your life?
Q3: Beyond His grace
Pastor Kris reminded us that people think they’re in some place where they’re somehow “beyond grace.” He even said that we carry burdens that we shouldn’t because we are under grace as Christians.
  • How can we help people see that there is -no one- who is “beyond grace”?
  • What is the difference between accepting someone and condoning what they do?
  • As a church family, how can we communicate to our neighbors that Jesus keeps the doors open for everyone?
  • As a church family, are we all making an effort to make sure every guest that comes in feels accepted? Do we come ready to serve others or ready to receive for ourselves?
Q4: Dealing with fear
In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
  • Who is this message for?
  • What has Jesus given to you & where does it come from?
  • How do you see God at work in this statement/promise?
  • What is your role in being a witness?
Q5: Finding your one
Pastor Kris asked the simple question:
“Who is God leading you to invite to OB One and into a relationship with Jesus?”
  • Who will you invite to our Christmas Eve service?
  • Make a repeating reminder/appointment in your phone right now to pray for that person. Choose a time like 11:11 or 4:44 that will be a reminder for you to pray for them daily.
  • Make a list of names that your whole group can pray for together. Pray for household salvation.
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Point of Prayer for our Small Group: Pray over the areas that the people within your small group serve within, let different people choose one area (not their own) to pray over.
Julian Malotti

GOD IS AWESOME!