At LBC, we want to make it easy for you to jump in and worship on Sundays. We believe a big part of this is coming to Sunday service prepared! Each week, we provide the sermon text, some discussion questions, the songs we will sing, and anything else we think you need to know to prepare your heart to worship the Lord this Sunday!
This week we are continuing our series in the book of Acts!
Last Sunday, we saw the mission of God to the nations.
This week, we're excited to continue our series in Acts! Our sermon text is Acts 11:19-30.
Sermon Text:
Acts 11:19-30
Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think the disciples initial response was to speak the word "to no one except Jews?" How did the passage from last week (Acts 10) change this?
2. Was the Gentiles' inclusion a new addition to God's plan of salvation? How do we know?
3. Why does Luke (the author of Acts) refer to the Gentiles hearing and believing the word as "the grace of God?"
4. What does that term "Christian" signify here? How does our culture understand that term? What does it mean to you to be a Christian?
5.How do we see the church advancing the mission of Christ in this passage?