TODAY:

Acts 4:1-22 | Desirable Difficulties

BIG IDEA:

Challenges & suffering are important ways the Spirit matures us & furthers Jesus’ mission

SCRIPTURES:

Acts 4:1-22, Psalm 118:6-11, 14-17, 22, John 14:6, Luke 21:12-15

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: Have you ever been opposed or persecuted for your faith?If so, how?If not,

why not?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple

who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from

just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Read Acts 4:11-12 & John 14:6. What does it mean that Jesus is the

“Cornerstone” & the Way, Truth & Life?

Q: Why would these Truths be so offensive to so many people & to every other

religion/faith & those who practice or lead them?

Q: Peter & John weren’t so knowledgeable & bold because of their own

strengths, but because of the Spirit & their experience with Jesus. How can

you grow in your faith & experience with Jesus so that you “cannot help

speaking about what you’ve seen & heard”?(v20)

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: How can you be an encouragement to someone from GH who you know

might be struggling & needs some encouragement, support & prayer?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: Read Acts 4:19. What are voices from the world/culture that you need to

stop listening to so that you can hear God more clearly?

Q: Peter & John weren’t trying to get people to follow them, but Jesus. How

can you courageously, clearly, humbly & lovingly use your life to point people

to Jesus?

QUOTES:

“Resistance builds resiliency.”

“The early Christians’ witness of Jesus wasn’t based on situation or circumstance,

but on an unshakable, eternal reality!”

“Are we being oppressed or resisted for our faith in Jesusin any way? If not, is it

because our ‘faith’ is so diluted or we’re so secretive about it that it flies under the

radar at an undetectable level?”

“For many ‘Christians’ today, comfort, safety & security is the goal, so opposition is

something to be feared, avoided or dominated. For the early church, opposition was

the norm, not the exception & the approach to it was courageous, humble,

intentional & purposeful for growth & mission.”