TODAY:

Acts 21:1-36 | Into the Winepress

BIG IDEA:

Jesus’ Gospel takes us from the fear of pain to the freedom of purpose

SCRIPTURES:

Acts 20:19, 20-24, 21:1-36

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: When you face struggles, do you tend to be pessimistic or optimistic? Why?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Read Acts 20:24. Read it again & let it really sink in. As you read Acts 21:1- 36, what is it about Paul’s relationship with & understanding of God that empowers the kind of fearless faithfulness that Paul has?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: Read Acts 21:4-7,12-14,17-26. Paul could have argued & fought with his fellow Christians about some of the details, but instead he kept the focus on how to unify around the Gospel. What are some things that we tend to divide on today that we probably shouldn’t? What are some ways we compromise that we shouldn’t?

Q: Why is having a close community of Christian friendship so important?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: While we don’t know if Paul was scared in the face of imprisonment, beatings, etc., he doesn’t let it scare him away from his mission. Why is having such a clear & strong passion for the Gospel mission key to overcoming fear of resistance?

NOTES & QUOTES

“True freedom is freedom from self. Freed from selfishness, Christians can lay down their own desires as a sacrifice on the altar of Christian love. We can easily entrench ourselves in our own freedom and thus paralyze our ability to serve others.” (Acts For You)

“Paul doesn’t care about danger: he cares about obeying God’s will, no matter the cost.” (Christ-Centered Exposition)

“Our desire to please God should override our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we follow Jesus, we must accept all that comes with it – even the pains.” (Life Application Study Bible)

“Fully aware of the impending suffering to befall him, he did not hesitate to continue on his mission. His chief concern in life was not comfort, safety, or a long life. His chief purpose, rather, centered on the proclamation of the Gospel of God, whatever the cost. In the Christian worldview, the question should not be, ‘Why does suffering happen to me?’ but rather, ‘How can I proclaim the Gospel of Jesus in the midst of my trials?’” (Acts For You)

ACTION STEPS:

Identify 1 “winepress” you might be in right now. Ask God how He can

1) surround you with genuine Christian friendship

2) show you the value of it as a part of discipleship

3) strengthen you with a clear desire for Jesus’ mission