THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Next week isn’t just another weekend. It’s a weekend specifically designed for you to take the next step at Ada Bible Church! Join us for WELCOME WEEKEND on September 6 & 7. You won’t want to miss the perfect opportunity to invite a friend, to take your next step, or simply reconnect with your church. We’ll have fun activities and great snacks after every service, with extra time for people to connect. To learn about this exciting weekend, click HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This month, our focus is on PRAYER. A consistent prayer habit is an essential part of the life of a Jesus follower. Prayer is something that Jesus taught, and his disciples lived out. This week, include Jesus’s instructions on prayer in your daily time with him. You can find it in Matthew 6:9-15.
GROW AS A LEADER. This fall is the perfect opportunity to grow in vulnerability as a group by sharing your stories. One simple way to share your story is to use the 2X2 METHOD. In this method, share two important people who have made an impact on your spiritual life, and two significant events or places that have shaped your life. For instructions, click HERE.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the final week of our sermon series, COURAGEOUS CHURCH. This week, we examine how the early church demonstrated courage under fire and what that means for our witness today.
ICEBREAKER
Share about a time when you had to do something that required courage. What helped you find the strength to act despite feeling nervous or afraid?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Acts 4:32-35 aloud.
What stands out to you about the early church?
What connection do you see between the believers’ unity and generosity (verses 32-35) and the apostles’ bold testimony (verse 33)?
What does verse 33 mean when it says the apostles “continued” to testify about the resurrection?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Jeff Manion concluded our COURAGEOUS CHURCH series by inviting us to consider the importance of going all-in on sharing the gospel. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
What does our culture find most difficult to believe about the gospel?
The apostles focused specifically on testifying about the resurrection rather than other aspects of Jesus’s life and teaching. Why was the resurrection the key message they needed to proclaim?
Have someone read Matthew 10:19-20 aloud. How have you seen God keep this promise of giving you the words to say in your life?
God doesn’t promise that we won’t face challenges, but he does promise his presence in them. In what situation do you need to remember that God is present?
How can our group help each other remember that God will meet us in those situations?
Have someone read 1 Peter 3:15 aloud. On a scale of 1-10, how prepared are you to share your faith? What are your concerns or fears about sharing your faith?
Do you find yourself more often drawn to sharing the gospel with words or with deeds, and why do you find that one easier?
What is one specific way you could grow this week, in readiness to speak about your faith or in a demonstration of gospel love through your actions?
WRAP UP
Over the last month, we have explored the courageous commitments of the first generation of Jesus’s followers. Those commitments are the apostles’ teaching, prayer and praise, service, fellowship and evangelism. What is one commitment you would like to grow in this fall?