9-11-24 Life Group Question

^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2. Calling All Gentiles & Other Outcasts

Acts 11:19-22

They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

On Sunday Pastor Gary said "Nobody was sent from the church in Jerusalem when people were getting saved in Samaria, and nobody was sent when people were getting saved in Judea, and nobody was sent when people were getting saved in Caesarea" and then he asked us to really consider why Barnabas was actually sent when people were getting saved in Antioch?

Pastor Gary told us that the church in Antioch marked a major shift in the history of how God was working in the world. He said "The Israelites were not concerned with getting the Egyptians saved, and the Jews under Caesar were not concerned with getting Romans saved but now God made it clear that all would be saved who put their faith in Jesus".

Why did God wait so long to make His global plans for salvation clear? How difficult do you think this expansion of the chosen was for Jews? (Both those converting to Christianity and those denying that Jesus was the Messiah?) What are some of the obvious challenges to bringing in different cultures and customs and habits into an established community or group or family? (Group Discussion)

What have been some of the most surprising or unexpected things that God has done since you became a Christian? The things that you may have initially disagreed with or thought there's no way that God would do this or that? Things that you had to verify and make sure were the way God desired them to be just like the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to make sure this Gentile thing was an actual move of God. (Each Individual)

3. Building Structure On A Solid Foundation

Acts 11:25-27

25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch.

On Sunday Pastor Gary told us that in Antioch we see the "First Church" being established as the church structures and order we now take for granted were coming into existence in what seems to be a Spirit led and organic way.

1 Corinthians 3:11

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Pastor Gary showed us that this gathering of new believers, especially as Gentiles without a background in Judaism (Old Testament Faith), NEEDED Barnabas as a Deacon, Paul as a Pastor-Teacher, and Prophets coming through in order to grow and mature in their faith.

Acts 14:23

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

1 Corinthians 12:28

Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

What happened in Antioch became the blueprint for how Paul and his missionary traveling companions would establish churches and strengthen them as they grew. How important is church structure and order today? What are some of the challenges with church order and structures? What are some of the blessings and benefits with church order and structure? How do we figure out who God has called to certain roles within the church? How do you as an individual determine how God may want to use you? For those already serving in some capacity how did you determine that God wanted to use you in that way? How can we redeem what seems to be lost or at least challenged in the area of church order and structure and why should we? (Group Discussion)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!