Life Groups // Spring 2021 // Week 4
Posted April 30, 2021 — Lincoln Berean
Scandalous Grace // Acts 9:1 – 31
Introduction
This week we get to look in on the miraculous conversion of Saul. Saul goes from persecuting Jesus and
His church, to preaching the gospel. God works through several others in this process in Saul’s life.
To get the most out of your group time, we invite you to look over the questions below and write your thoughts down before you meet with your group.
Warm Up (Suggested time: 30 min)
Here are some suggestions to get your conversation started:
1) What did you like to pretend or make-believe when you were young?
2) If you learned you only have five more years to live, how would you like to spend your last years?
Getting Started
Transition into group discussion.
1) Open group discussion with prayer. Here are a few potential prayer items:
a. For the Spirit of God to lead you in truth
b. For the fruit of the Spirit to be cultivated in your lives
c. For grace to hear and apply what the Spirit says to you
2) Invite someone to read the passage in the group.
Study Questions (Suggested time: 40 min)
1) What, if anything, did you feel the Holy Spirit impressing on you during the message this week?
2) How did you see grace displayed throughout this story?
3) In Acts 9:10-31, Ananias and Barnabas play a key role in encouraging Saul and helping him get connected to the early church in Jerusalem. If there is someone in your life who played a role like this in your life, would you share about that experience with your group?
Why do we need people like Ananias and Barnabas in the church?
4) Ananias and Barnabas took a risk loving and accepting Saul. It may not have been easy for them to make that choice. Who are the people that you would have difficulty accepting or embracing if they walked in the doors of our church?
How do we become the kind of people who reach out to these people to see what Jesus is doing in their life and seek to walk beside them?
5) Identify one person in your life whom you would consider to be the most unlikely person to trust Christ. If you are willing, share a bit about your relationship with this person with the group.
Do you think God can do a miracle and radically change that person’s heart? Would you commit to praying regularly for that person’s salvation?
What do you think it might look like for you to play a part in that person’s journey beyond just praying? Maybe ask your group for suggestions on this as well.
Prayer (Suggested time: 20 min)
Prayer opens us up to the leading of the Holy Spirit which makes it an important part of the Christian life. We realize that everyone has their own comfort level with group prayer, and we want this to be a time of safety and care. You may verbalize your prayer or pray silently to yourself; that way everyone is a participant in sharing this time before God together.
Some things to consider during prayer time:
- What do you think Jesus is asking of you after this message and group discussion?
- Ask for prayer in helping you become a more loving person who is willing to reach out to people that may not be like you.
- Pray for those in your life who you feel are unlikely to trust Christ.
Personal Spiritual Exercises
Each week we’re suggesting a couple of spiritual exercises. These are not required, but they may help us to actually live our faith and grow as followers of Jesus. Feel free to practice one or both of them. If a certain exercise is very helpful for you, maybe you can figure out a way to incorporate it into your daily life.
(Ask for an Opportunity) LBC’s founding pastor, Curt Lehman, used to pray this prayer regularly: “Lord, would you bring someone into my life and across my path today, that I could influence for you?” Consider praying this each morning and then look for the opportunities God might give you each day.
(Acknowledge the server/barista) This week try to acknowledge those to whom we don’t normally pay much attention. Acknowledge those serving—the waitstaff at a restaurant or your barista. Even if you are having a life-changing conversation with your friend. Stop, look the server in the eye and say, “Thank you so much.” Make eye contact with beggars even if you don’t have money to give them. See what kind of opportunities this may create.
Next week in your Life Group, take a few moments to share how either of these exercises may have changed your outlook on your daily life.