02.24.08
Small Group Plan - February 24, 2008
“What’s It All For?”
Myspace or Ourspace?
Small Group Plan
February 24, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Risking … hosting … teaching … listening … traveling … loving … feeding … working … encouraging … correcting … learning … inviting … explaining … sharing … sacrificing … giving …
How would you like to have friends whose lives matched these words? Paul and Apollos had such friends. In fact, when Paul explained to the Corinthians that he planted and Apollos watered (1 Cor. 3:6) these friends were behind the scenes supporting and encouraging it all. Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18) were the hidden source of strength for both Paul and Apollos. They illustrate one major purpose of a marriage – ministry.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Why do most people have friends?
· How would describe the power of friendship?
· What makes you feel alone?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
An Encouraging Marriage
Acts 18:1-3, 18-19
1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them … 18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila.
· In Athens Paul was alone (17:15) and criticized (17:18, 20, 32). Imagine his frame of mind as he leaves Athens and arrives in Corinth (18:1).
· How would you feel and react if a religious prostitute from the Corinthian temple to Aphrodite approached you in the street?
· If, like Paul, you were new to a big city, how would you feel and what would you need?
· How did Priscilla and Aquila encourage Paul?
A Giving Marriage
Acts 18:24-26
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
· What do descriptions like “learned” (Vs. 24), “fervor” (Vs. 25) and “boldly” (Vs. 26) tell us about the personality of Apollos?
· Do you find it easy or difficult to correct a dominant, outgoing person? Explain.
· Why did Aquila and Priscilla explain “the way of God” to Apollos?
· What is “the way of God” that Apollos was missing?
A Risking Marriage
Romans 16:3-5a
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
· What “risk” did they take?
· How significant is it that “all” the Gentile churches are grateful to this Jewish couple?
· After all Paul has been through with Aquila and Priscilla, how does he feel when he calls them “fellow workers”?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Which of Pricilla and Aquila’s projects most appeals to you: hosting churches, going on short-term missions, mentoring young ministers or offering hospitality? Explain.
· Which of the above sounds most frightening or difficult? Explain.
· Priscilla and Aquila got close to Paul and Apollos. One they taught, the other taught them. Who has been a spiritual mentor to you? What have you learned?
Close by asking God to show every family at Prestoncrest how they can be used in ministry.