Acts 2: “Pentecost: Jesus Isn’t Done” Rev. Ryan Laughlin

                                                    Sermon Discussion Questions


       
1) After reading the chapter again, what was going on in the early church in Acts 2? What events were taking place? 


2) Peter quotes from the book of Joel in Acts 2:17-21. What do you think he was wanting those listening to know? 

3) Quote: “If the preachers had spoken in only one language, everyone would have thought that Christ was confined to a small corner of Judea.”  (John Calvin) Reflect and Discuss. 

4) The pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was not the first introduction of the Holy Spirit. It is just a new introduction. Here are a few other places in Scripture that mention the Holy Spirit. Luke 3:16, Genesis 1:1, Matt 12:31-33. What do we learn from these passages about the Holy Spirit?

5) Reflection: Do we go through life as Pentecost never happened? How would life be different with no mention of the Holy Spirit?

“Humble Beginnings” Acts 1:12-26 Ryan Laughlin

                                                        Sermon Discussion





      1) After reading the text, what was the focus of the first meetings of the early Church? What were their priorities? Who was present in these meetings?

      2) Where do you see in this text the evidence for Christianity “is meant to be a team sport”, a group effort?

      3) Do you value the need for community in your own life? What are some aspects of being in a community of believers (local church) that are encouraging to you?

     4) Psalm 69:5 and and Psalm 109:8 are quoted in the text. David wrote these when he was being unjustly persecuted. Why do you think Luke (the author of Acts) was quoting these verses from Psalms to the early Church?

      5) One of the requirements of being a true apostle was being an eye-witness to the resurrection of Christ. Why was being a reliable witness so key to the early Church?

      6) Sermon quote: “If you are convinced that something is true, then what follows should be sincerity that is invigorated with the truth.” As a believer, how do we live out the truth of the gospel out in our lives? Are there areas that the Holy Spirit can grow us in?

Back to Basics Acts 1:1-11 Ryan Laughlin (Sunday, Jan 12th 2020)

                                                         Sermon Discussion Questions



   Context: Luke wrote the book of Acts. One of the main goals of the book of Acts is to record the history of the early church following the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus started His ministry in the gospels, but He continues His ministry post resurrection.


1) Who’s in charge of the Church? What does the text say about God’s activity in His Church?

2) Jesus is not just in charge of the Church, but reigns over everything! How does that change our lives? How does that change what we do on a daily basis?

3) What role do we (Christians) play in the world? What is our main purpose?

4) What truth gives us hope to live/witness in the here and now? What does the text say about return of Jesus?

5) Here are some other references to Christ’s return: James 5:7, 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-3, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:42, John 14:3. What do we know for sure? What do we not know regarding the return of Chris?

Epiphany: Matthew 2:1-12 Chris Smith

                                                    Sermon Discussion Questions



1) Today’s sermon starts the first day of Epiphany. The word epiphany means: manifestation, revealing or something being made evident. What is being made evident in this passage?


2) Matthew is trying to show us what Jesus is about and Who He is in the passage. What does the passage say specifically about Jesus?

3) What does this passage tell us that God is up to? Looking back to Numbers 24, what does the prophecy say about the true King?

4) The star in the sky was God’s “big birth announcement” regarding Jesus. There were 2 different responses. How did Herod respond? How did the wisemen respond? What was the posture of the wisemen towards Jesus?

5) What is our response to Jesus? Is it one of  worship? What are the places on the “throne of our hearts” that we don’t want Jesus to rule over? Ask Jesus to help you identify those places in your hearts where you still want to rule.