Acts Week Thirty Four


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SENT: Week 34 – The Lord in the Storm Open in Prayer W elcom e/Introductions/Cast Vision Rem ind the Grow Group of the ground rules Share background for the story [Provide context by sharing what comes before the story.]

Appealing his case to Caesar, Paul was ordered by Festus to be transferred to Rome by ship along with some other prisoners. The voyage is given in great detail and was a very difficult trip to make. Paul’s journey was also marked by difficult weather, as they began their voyage late into the season for sea travel. Tell the story – this week’s passage is Acts 27:13-44 [Have someone tell the story.] Rebuild the story [Group members tell the story together based on what they remember.] Read the story out loud [Read the scripture passage to see if anything was added or omitted.] Discuss these questions:

1. What do we learn about God from this passage? [God is with us in our storms; God allows us to encounter storms and difficulties; God teaches us in the storm; God works in hopeless situations; God uses our “storms” as a platform for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ; God gives us faith in the midst of difficulties; God grows our faith in the midst of difficulties; God speaks through others to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways; God’s ways are better than my ways; God is worthy of my trust; etc.]

2. What do we learn about Man/Us from this passage? [I can grow weary in doing good; I must be careful how I live because others are watching me and following my example; I can be so stubborn that it takes a difficult situation to get my attention, and force me to listen to God; the things in which I find security, can often be the very things that hold me back from following Jesus; I don’t have a heart for reaching the lost; it is Jesus that I serve (v 23); I need the encouragement of others; etc.]

3. What is God saying to you specifically through this passage as it pertains to your life, marriage, family, and work? 4. In light of what you’ve learned today, what do you need to do to obey God? Other Q uestions specific to this passage:

1. Why is it hard to warn others about troubles that you can see brewing in their life? 2. While in the storm, Paul “took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all.” In what ways do you struggle showing gratitude during tough times? Assign Next week’s passage – Acts 28:1-10, 16-31 [Ask someone to tell the story next week.] Close in Prayer

SENT: Week 34 – Leadership Coaching The purpose of this page is to help you sharpen your skills as a Grow Group leader. Each week, we will include concepts, challenges, and resources designed to assist you as you lead and shepherd your Grow Group and grow as a disciple yourself.

Leading [learn to facilitate your group more effectively] Sometimes as a leader it can be a challenge wanting to have all the right answers, wanting to tangibly help people with issues they have, and wanting to give advice about situations they share. It is important that we lead by example. When someone shares something personal or asks a question you may not know the answer to, feel free to say, “I’m not exactly sure of the answer, but let’s research that together this week.” In fact, later you can follow up with them outside of Grow Group and discuss what you both discover. Also, encourage those you disciple to ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] Spend the next 5 days praying for members of your group. Divide them up evenly so that each day you can focus on praying for a few specific people. Pray that o God will give them wisdom and understanding; o You will see clearly how you can encourage them in their walk with God; o They will boldly take their next step in spiritual growth; o They will overflow with the joy of Christ this week!

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] Paul is constantly praying for the people that he disciples. A great model for intercessory prayer is found in Colossians 1:9-14. Read this passage a few times. “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10) so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11) strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Use Paul’s prayer as a pattern when you pray for the people you are discipling.