THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Join us for the ADA BIBLE ACADEMY starting October 24. We will offer two different three-week classes to help you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and build skills for sharing your faith. Learn more and register for UNDERSTANDING AND READING THE BIBLE or SHARING YOUR FAITH WITH CONFIDENCE at adabible.org/ada-bible-academy-courses/.
GROUP VALUES. This October, we’re focusing on PRAYER. It can be easy to focus only on prayer requests about physical needs. Have a conversation with your group about how you can pray for each other’s spiritual growth this month.
GROW AS A LEADER. Make sure to check out the LEADER’S FACEBOOK PAGE if you haven’t lately. It’s a great place to stay informed about what’s going on around Ada Bible Church and in small groups. We post regularly, offering tips and encouragement for small group leaders. Connect with us at facebook.com/groups/adasmallgroupleaders.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the first week of our new sermon series, UNSHAKABLE. In this series, we’ll explore how we can develop unshakable faith that stands firm even in life’s most challenging moments.
ICEBREAKER
Share about a time when life took an unexpected turn. How did you respond initially, and what did you learn from that experience?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Acts 17:1-10 aloud.
What are the various responses to Paul’s message in Thessalonica?
What challenges or obstacles did Paul and his companions face in this city?
What stands out to you about the local believers’ support for Paul’s ministry in this situation?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer began our Unshakable sermon series by discussing Paul’s visit to Thessalonica. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
How do people typically respond when their plans don’t work out?
How would our perspective change if we were to view unexpected situations with an expectation of God’s power and presence?
An unshakable life is built on trust in an unshakable God. How have you seen trust like this play out in your own life or in the lives of others?
Paul faced significant opposition in Thessalonica, including riots that forced him to flee the city. How do you typically respond to difficulty or opposition in your faith journey?
What practical steps can we take to persevere in our faith and God’s calling during difficult seasons?
Pastor Aaron emphasized that Paul’s unshakable faith was powered by his sense of God-given purpose. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being low and 10 being high, how clear are you about your purpose? How might a stronger sense of purpose affect your faith?
What steps can we take to discover or clarify our God-given purpose?
How can our small group encourage and support each other in developing unshakable faith, especially during unexpected or difficult circumstances?
Is there an area of your life right now where you need to trust God more fully, even if the situation seems unexpected or challenging? How can our group pray for you in that?
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed how unshakable faith expects God in the unexpected, perseveres during difficulty and is powered by purpose. What from this conversation or the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?