09.23.07
Small Group Plan - September 23, 2007
“When God Calls My Name”
Ancient Future Faith
Small Group Plan
September 23, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
When Jesus demanded voluntary poverty of the rich young man, the young man knew that his only choices were obedience or disobedience. When Levi was called from tax collecting and Peter from his nets, there was no doubt that Jesus was serious about those calls. They were supposed to leave everything and follow Him. When Peter was called to step out onto the stormy sea, he had to get up and risk taking the step. Only one thing was demanded in each of these cases. That was their entrusting themselves to the word of Jesus Christ…
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Discipleship, page 77
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What was you favorite Bible Story as a child? Explain.
· Which Bible person intrigued you the most? Why?
· How would you explain the educational and persuasive power of a story?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT … SALVATION
God Calls My Name With Individual Stories
Acts 8:26-39
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road — the desert road — that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
· Which Biblical story of salvation is especially important to you? Why?
· In the Ethiopian story, describe the attitude of the traveling official.
· In his decision, was he afraid, decisive, or rash? Explain.
· What do you think Luke wanted us to see in this story?
God Calls My Name With Particular People
Luke 7:1-10
1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
· In your opinion, which Biblical person made the most difficult change at their conversion? Explain.
· In the Centurion story, how did his own request (Vs. 6-8) differ from the Jewish elders who made the initial request (Vs. 4-5)?
· Jesus says he sees “great faith.” How would you describe the faith?
· Why did Jesus contrast this gentile’s faith with the Jewish faith he had encountered so far?
God Calls My Name With Specific Choices
Acts 16:25-34
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole family.
· Why does Luke tell both good and bad stories of those who either accepted or rejected Jesus?
· How would a modern organization today present the picture?
· In the Jailor story, why did he consider suicide?
· When the jailor chose Jesus, how did it probably impact his job? His extended family? His life? What did his choice do besides save him?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· When have you been amazed by someone else’s faith? Describe it.
· What was the most difficult part of your salvation choice? Why?
· In addition to salvation, what are other joyful, positive outcomes of your salvation choice?
· What personal change in your own life has surprised you the most? Why?
· Why does Jesus, in Luke 14, tell people to “count the cost” before choosing him?
Thank God in prayer for the blessing and changes He has brought to your life.