Acts Week Twenty Two

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SENT: Week 22 – Prayer That Opens Prison Doors 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.] As the gospel spreads, an angry King Herod persecutes the church by successfully killing James, the brother of John. Herod also has Peter arrested and imprisoned, intending to bring him before the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, other disciples gathered together and prayed fervently for his release. Tell the story – this week’s passage is Acts 12:1-19 [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 allows persecution to help build my faith in Him and grow me in godliness (James 1:2-4); Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek Him; God says for us to cast our cares upon Him, because He cares for us; God calls us to call to Him and He will answer us, and He will tell us things we can’t figure out on our own; nothing is impossible with God; God’s timing is always perfect; etc.]

2. What do we learn about Man/Us from this passage? [I will face persecution for following Jesus (II Timothy 3:12); I sometimes rejoice in the misfortunes of others; I see prayer as a last resort instead of a first response; I am tempted into believing that God is not concerned about my needs; the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective; I know that I need to pray but silence is a struggle for me; When I am still before God, I’m tempted to believe I’m not accomplishing anything; etc.]

3. What is God saying to you specifically through this passage as it pertains to your life, marriage, family, and work? 4. What is God leading you to do? Other Q uestions specific to this passage:

1. When was the last time you sought God with intense desperation? 2. What prevents you from praying as effectively as you should? Assign next week’s passage – Acts 13:26-39 [Ask someone to tell the story next week.] Close in Prayer

Sent: Week 22 – 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] It is important to distinguish between “fixing” and “confrontation.” Our guideline of “no fixing” during Grow Group discussions is in place so that we do not shut down an important conversation, or cut short the work that the Holy Spirit wants to do in someone’s life as they speak about their issue. We do not want to simply provide flippant solutions for people’s weighty problems. However, there will be times that an issue needs to be addressed, one-on-one or during group.

Shepherding [know the sheep, feed the sheep, lead the sheep, protect the sheep] The Lord has given you the members of your group to care for, lead and protect. Pray for wisdom and discernment to know whether an issue should be addressed privately or during group. Be sure that you know what the Bible says about the issue you are confronting, so that you are not giving your opinion, but pointing your group to God’s Word.

Developing [grow as a disciple yourself] Look at these verses and jot down the thoughts that come to your mind when you read them. How do these verses help you understand the purpose of confrontation in discipling others? o Proverbs 17:10 – “A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” o Proverbs 9:8-9 – “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.” o Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” o Ephesians 4:25&29 – “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”