“Actually, You Were Never in Control” Acts 12 Rev. Ryan Laughlin

                                        Sermon Discussion Questions


  1) In this passage, we see that not everyone is excited to see the church growing and expanding. But we also see the church responding to difficult situations.  In Acts 12:1-25, what is going on? Who are the people in this narrative and what is each person doing?

2) Specifically in verse 2, how do we see Herod using his power?
What is Peters’s response to the horrible situation he has been place in? (Vs 6)

3) As image-bearers we are given a certain element of control (having dominion, being creative, etc) but that sense of control can get warped and twisted. Who in this passage is seduced by the “illusion of control”? 

4) A better response instead of being “seduced by the illusion of control” is to be “strengthened by the God who is in control.” What are some ways we can do this?

5) Sermon quote: “When we pray, we are saying, ‘We aren’t in control, but God is in control.” How has prayer aided this area in your personal life?

6) We need each other to remind us that in times of horrible situations, we can trust that the God who holds all things together, holds us close to His heart. Do we have people in our lives who remind us of that truth? How can we be that person to other people?

7) In salvation, Jesus takes control of what we cannot control. Just as Peter was set free from a literal prison, we are set free from our chains of sin, our sentence of death is removed and we are able to walk in the freedom of God’s grace. This is good news! Does this good news change the way we live now?