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WEEK 1 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

November 3, 2024

Beyond the walls – Part 1

Introduction:

What would it have been like to experience a house church gathering with the first-century church? To be devoted to scripture, fellowship, and generosity. To partake in communion. To see joy all around you. To worship and pray for boldness. To see the sold-out commitment of each Christian.  Today, we seek the same things. We exist to help people find and follow Jesus and His purposes for their lives.

Bottom line:

Something To Talk About:

  1. We will be an intensely devoted church:  “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). This The Acts 2:42 church didn’t just happen. The early followers of Jesus devoted themselves to the Apostle’s teachings, the fellowship and breaking of bread, and the prayers. They devoted themselves to hearing from God through the scriptures, speaking with God in prayer, and belonging to the church. These habits of grace positioned their hearts to keep receiving what God was continuously giving – grace to be more and more like Jesus. They were committed. We need to remember that being a Christian was quite a cost in those days. Following Jesus was dangerous, and you didn’t do it casually. When you crossed over the line of saying, “I’m in, I’m a part of this family,” you were in. You were committed. And, of course, this commitment shows up simply in the word “devoted” (Luke 2:42). This word speaks of constancy and perseverance. These people were committed to being the church together. Being committed to the church is more than a gold star for attendance; it is a commitment to the work of our Lord. It requires submission to His authority, and active participation to be used and offered with the full abilities of our gifts and talents. 
  2. We will be an irrationally generous church: No group of people has more power to do good than the church of Jesus Christ. Since Christ is generous, the church should be generous. Acts 2:42-47 shows church members displaying the type of generosity designed to ensure no one would live in need. When Hurricane Michael hit in 2018, the church surrounded the community. Seeing a kingdom-minded spirit of generosity take over the church was amazing. The church community showed the love of God in a real way. A generous church is a Christ-honoring church. Our goal is to be always known as a generous church, one that is the first to rise up when a need is present. Sometimes the need impacts members of the body, sometimes the need centers on a missions project, and sometimes the need is concentrated right there in the community. Our prayer is that God is glorified and that lives are powerfully impacted because of the generosity of Christ’s churches.
  3. We will unapologetically share the love of Jesus: “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).  In this passage, Jesus calls us to care deeply about Him and those He has placed around us in our families, workplaces, and neighborhoods.  So how can we share God’s love with others? One is to share the gospel. As a church, we hope that you’re encouraged in your faith to think about what makes Christianity so unique and remarkable. Furthermore, we hope that you are inspired and emboldened to share your faith. St. Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” The sentiment is very true. Think about how you behave around someone and how that would impact how they view your words. For example, be intentional about showing kindness, listening, praying for others, being a peacemaker, and serving and forgiving others. God’s love is not meant to be hoarded or kept to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared with others. Even small sacrifices — of our time or resources — please the Lord.  Let’s reach out this week and share God’s love with others.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think it was like to experience a house church gathering with the first-century church?
  2. Before listening to the sermon, how would you have defined the “devoted church”? How would you define it now?
  3. What differences do we see in the church today compared to the first-century church?
  4. Read Acts 2:42-47. What things from this passage are you already doing? What’s one thing you’d like to start doing?
  5. We need to put ourselves in the right environments for growth. What kinds of environments help you in your spiritual journey? How can we be more intentional about putting ourselves in these environments?
  6. Generosity is about more than our money; it is about our heart. Our attitude towards money and possessions reveals a great deal about our relationship with God. What do you think generosity tells unbelievers about the character of God?
  7. If you had triple the money, time, and energy you have now, what of God’s causes would you love to invest more in?
  8. How would you answer the lifelong difficult question, “What is God’s and what is mine?” What is your biggest motivation for giving? 
  9. If love is to be the defining mark of believers, how would you assess where we are as a community and where Northstar is as a church?
  10. Are we a “display window” for the supernatural love of Christ? In what ways are we accomplishing this mission, and in what ways are we hindering it?
  11. What is the biggest takeaway from this message?

Take one thing home with you:

Consider this question: What would it look like for you to take one step forward in your devotion to God and His people? What would the church look like if we all were a little more devoted? What if we loved people the way Jesus loves us? What if we served in the church and serve others? What if we prayed for others every day? The Acts church changed the world because they were fully devoted to God. A devoted heart draws near to God and experiences His presence throughout the day. A fully surrendered heart calls us to fellowship with Christ so that His power can equip us to carry out His plans.