The Great Gift

This year, Americans expect to spend $8.4 billion on Halloween, making it one of the highest-spending holidays of the year. That is a lot of Pixy Stix (which happen to be Georgia’s preferred Halloween treat), and I’m pretty sure the $8.4 billion does not count the cost of dental work resulting from candy excess. Despite Halloween’s popularity, however, many people who follow Jesus don’t quite know what to do with this sometimes fun, sometimes fearful season that blends themes of money and magic.

Fortunately, Acts 8 introduces us to a similarly complex world and provides some guidance. When the disciples arrive in Samaria, they meet a strange man named Simon who “practiced magic” (v. 9) until the greater power of the name of Jesus captured his imagination. But this Simon quickly earned a stern rebuke from the Apostle Peter when he offered to purchase the power to give the Holy Spirit. (This is the origin of our word “simony,” which describes any attempt to purchase spiritual power with money.)

What does this peculiar and somewhat spooky story have to do with Halloween in two weeks?

Podcast

Podcast: Download (Duration: 47:48 — 54.7MB)

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Downloads

SEE IT // BE IT

(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)

Date: October 23, 2016 // Title: The Great Gift

Scripture: Acts 8:4-25

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
Acts 8 introduces us to a complex world and provides some guidance for us in a Halloween season that blends themes of money and magic. When the disciples arrive in Samaria, they meet a strange man named Simon who “practiced magic” (v. 9) until the greater power of the name of Jesus captured his imagination. But this Simon quickly earned a stern rebuke from the Apostle Peter when he offered to purchase the power to give the Holy Spirit. (This is the origin of our word “simony,” which describes any attempt to purchase spiritual power with money.)

THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
The Gospel is greater: we have nothing to fear!

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): What is the difference between miracles and magic? What do signs do? What does it mean that the Gospel is great? And that it is a gift?
Mirror (Where am I in the story?): :Is my spiritual walk focused on the miraculous or the magical? What impresses me? Do I have behaviors that indicate I’m trying to manipulate God or earn His free gift?
Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Since the Holy Spirit provides guidance and power for living, how can He help us unify across cultural gaps during Halloween? 

BE IT – Practice
Change UP // Exercise – Celebrate the Light 15 minutes
“Why allow Halloween to be a pagan holiday in commemoration of the powers of darkness? Fill the house or church with light; sing and celebrate the victory of Christ over darkness.” (Richard Foster) Light some candles or turn on lights in the room you’re using. Put on some music so you can sing and celebrate the victory of Christ over darkness!
Change IN // Focus on the Light 5 minutes
As we are on this journey of faith together, sometimes we are waiting for God’s miracle to happen in our lives. In the meantime, we see other signs of God at work and that encourages us as we wait. Take this opportunity to share signs of God at work in your midst. Let these signs encourage you as you wait for Him to move in other areas.
Change OUT // Be the Light 5 minutes
Again, think about how your group can leverage Halloween as an opportunity for the gospel. Think about how your group can be present in your neighborhood and what that gospel presence might look like (for example, it might look like cooking chili, handing out large size candy bars, or providing drinks for parents who are walking with their kids). Brainstorm some creative ways that you could get to know and serve your neighbors this Halloween. How can you put that plan into action?

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.