The Spread Continues - Acts
ACTS 11:19-12:25
Luke describes how continued attempts to persecute and silence the church are unsuccessful. Scattered believers take the gospel to Antioch and a church is planted. Peter is miraculously rescued from prison. God is in control and the word continues to multiply.
QUESTIONS
Acts 11:26 tells us Saul and Barnabas spent an entire year with the church at Antioch. Why did they spend that much time with them? Does this have any implications for Citizens Church in Elmira?
Read Acts 11:27-30. What does this tell you about the relationship between the churches at Antioch and Jerusalem? What does this tell us about how individual bodies should relate to the church at large?
In Acts 12, God responds in a big way to prayer. What are some other examples, from scripture and your own life, of where God has acted in response to prayer (whether big or small)?
For some, the problem of evil and suffering is a tension they've had to work through and has caused them to doubt in God. What are some similar "sticking points" in your heart and mind? What are the things that make it hard to trust the Lord sometimes?
Read Acts 12:20-23, 10:24-27, and Daniel 4:28-37. Compare an contrast these accounts of Herod, Peter and Nebuchadnezzar.
After listening to the teaching and processing these questions, spend some time in reflection and prayer - what aspect of all of this does the Spirit bring to your mind as most relevant to you at this time?
