8/31 - 9/4 Life Group Questions
^ Click “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 watch or listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)
2. 1st Encounters
Acts 9:1-3
1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
On Sunday Pastor Gary said that believers have access to God but we are called to ask and seek and knock as we pursue God in order to enter into His presence and encounter Him. Pastor Gary said the unique thing about Paul’s “1st Encounter” is that Jesus sought Paul out instead of the other way around.
When did you 1st encounter Jesus? We’re you pursuing Him or did He pursue you while you were going your own way? What have you found to be different about 1st encounters compared to the future ongoing encounters believers have? (Each individual)
3. The Personal God
Acts 9:1-19 NLT
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
On Sunday Pastor Gary talked to us about how personal God is. Jesus called Saul by his name twice and then told him he was a persecutor which showed that Jesus knew exactly who Saul was and what he was doing with his life. Jesus did not address all 3 men as they walked but chose to speak directly and personally to Saul. Jesus also introduced Himself to Saul in a very clear and personal way.
What do we learn about how God desires to speak to us from this story? What are some of the exciting things about Jesus being so personal and knowing exactly what we are doing with our lives and what are some of the scary things about this reality? Do you tend to talk and think about God in general ways or personal ways? For example, are you more likely to say, “God loves us, and we know that because He died for us on the cross” or “Jesus loves me and I know this because He’s talked to me and shown me how much He loves me and why He went to the cross for me”. Why is it important know that God is personal and to grow in our ability to relate to Him personally? (Group Discussion)
4. The Power Of God
Acts 9:8-13 & 17-18 NLT
8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
On Sunday Pastor Gary talked about the way the scriptures show the power of God over our bodies. He told us that this was an important part of Jesus’ ministry as He healed many people of physical issues with their bodies. Pastor Gary also told us that if Jesus doesn’t heal our bodies it is a reminder that temporary physical healing is not the most important thing.
If healing is not the most important thing then what is the most important thing? Why is it important to know that God has power over our bodies? Why does healing sometimes come and not at other times? Have you or anyone you know received a physical healing? Do you believe that God still physically heals people? If so, who does He heal and why? And if not, why not? (Group Discussion)
5. 1st Place Encounters
Who’s encounter in Acts 9 is more important, Saul’s or Ananias’? Who’s encounters are more important, yours or your Pastor’s & Leader’s? Who’s encounters are more important, the really “good” Christians or the average/below average Christians? Let’s live our lives and encourage those around us to live their lives in the light of this truth and not in the darkness of our assumptions about who is having 1st place encounters with God.
* 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!