Damascus Road and the Street Called Straight

Have you ever wanted to see Jesus in his glory?

A young man named Saul did, and as his eyes were opened he was also blinded.

And so even though we still speak of a “Damascus Road” experience as a moment of total transformation, for Saul it was all part of a journey that took him from being the Church’s biggest persecutor to its biggest proponent.

And if God can work that kind of total reversal in the lives of men and women, what situation is beyond his reach?

The answer, of course, is none.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)

Date: November 6, 2016 // Title: Damascus Road and the Street Called Straight

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

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
The passage today is about the extraordinary story of Saul on two roads: the Damascus Road and the street called Straight. It was at this crossroads in his life that he found authentic hope and clear direction. We also meet Ananias, a believer who was fearful when God told him to go find Saul, but chose to be obedient anyway.

THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Crossroads help us identify where we are.

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): How had persecution affected the early church? Besides Saul, what were some other threats? What are two different ways “lay hands on” can be applied?
Mirror (Where am I in the story?): When was a time when Jesus met you and transformed your heart about something? What does it mean to you/for you that as Jesus’ body, we cannot be destroyed? How does having hope affect how you respond to suffering?
Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): What are people around you focusing on? Do they seem hopeless? If that feels overwhelming to you, remember Ananias who was fearful but chose to be obedient anyway.

BE IT – Practice
Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes
Take a minute and quiet your heart before God. Jesus is alive! No matter the circumstance, you are not stuck. Your identity is tied up with the Name of Jesus! His body is indestructible. Pray together, thanking him and proclaiming that you trust him. Invite him to show up in unexpected and powerful ways this week.
Change IN //  Group Activity 5 minutes
We each have a story with Jesus. Give each person two minutes to share a God story, relating a time when they were at a crossroads and God showed up with hope and direction.
Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes
We are surrounded by people who feel hopeless. As the body of Christ, use the encounters you have this week to stand in your place: connecting a living Lord and people in need, laying hands on people (literally or figuratively) and offering the hope and freedom that is found in Christ.

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.