Small Group Study Guide– 2/21/10

Sermon: Are you ready? (Acts 1:1-11) Theme: Don’t just stand there, DO something!

Overall impressions:

1. What stood out to you in the message this week? How would it look for you to apply it?

2. Did you disagree with or question anything that was said? If so, what?

3. Was there anything said that was new to you? If so, what and what did you think about it?

Discussing the specifics:

1. Jesus Christ is returning and His return will NOT be missed! Are you anticipating His return? Does His return cause you angst or excitement? Why? What does “anticipating His return” look like for you?

2. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples (and us) that “You will be My witnesses”. Kevin talked of three things that define a witness. The first was to see and hear – personal experience/ intimate knowledge. If we are to be witnesses for Christ, we must have personal experience/ intimate knowledge of Him. Would you say you have that? How would you define it/ testify to it? When more than one person has the same personal experience/ intimate knowledge, their testimonies validate each other. Validate your testimonies among your group – compare your personal experience/ intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ and determine what experiences/ knowledge you have in common.

3. The second thing that defines a witness is that they believe what they saw and heard. Do you believe what you saw and heard about Jesus Christ? How would anyone know you believe it?

The third thing that defines a witness is to tell others about it and to live your life accordingly. Specifically, Kevin spoke of loving each other within the body of Christ and then loving those outside the body of Christ. How would loving those within the body of Christ look like?

What does it require?

Why is it so difficult?

4. How would loving those outside the body of Christ look like?

How would you define “living”?

So What?!?

1. Assuming you have seen, heard, and believe – what will it look like for you to tell others and live accordingly THIS WEEK? Name names and be specific with what actions you will take this week.

2. What are some ways we as a church can do a better job of loving each other?

3. What are some ways we as a church can do a better job of loving those outside the body of Christ?