At first glance, the Book of Acts ends abruptly. After nine chapters of buildup to the Apostle Paul’s trial in Rome, the text just… concludes… before any verdict comes in!

But is Paul really the one on trial?

If we read the conclusion of Acts more closely, we find a very well-known Old Testament text (that is quoted in all four of the Gospels!) spiritually sifting everyone who visits Paul in his home as he waits for his day in court.

We too will visit Paul and listen to the final words of the Book of Acts. But how will these words sift us? Will we pass the final test?

As we shall see, part of passing is possessing God’s heart—the heart of a pioneer.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

DATE: May 7, 2017 // Title: Pioneers //

Scripture: Acts 28:17-31

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

At first glance, the Book of Acts ends abruptly. After nine chapters of buildup to the Apostle Paul’s trial in Rome, the text just… concludes… before any verdict comes in! If we read the conclusion of Acts more closely, we find a very well-known Old Testament text (that is quoted in all four of the Gospels!) spiritually sifting everyone who visits Paul in his home as he waits for his day in court. As we read Paul’s words and his words sift us, too, we learn more about God’s heart – the heart of a pioneer.

THE MAIN THOUGHT  Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion

When we hear the call of God’s Kingdom, will we follow Jesus or walk away?

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture  (What is the story saying?): What is the Hope of Israel that Paul refers to in verse 20?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?) How can the Bible be authoritative in my day-to-day life? What is my role to play?

Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?) : As followers of Jesus, we are patriots, but our posture must be open to others who are not from our nation. Jesus is available to everyone! Who is He calling me to be open to?

BE IT – Practice
Change UP //  Exercise 15 minutes

What happens if all the aspects of your life that you look to for your identity or for your source of life all disappear? Think through those things one by one, and imagine that they’re taken away from you. When you are left with only Jesus, see what it is like to view Him as your ultimate and true source of life. Pray through that, asking God to show you what to strip away and how to keep Him as your source of life.

Change IN //  Group Activity 5 minutes

As a group, pray about who God is asking you to be open to. Who is it on the edges of your circle/sphere of influence that you need to reach out to, in an effort to show them Jesus? How will you take steps to do that?

Change OUT //  Life Application Assignment 5 minutes

Who did you think of during the “Window” section? Talk together about who the Lord brought to your minds and make a plan for walking together with them toward Jesus

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.