3.1.20 Huddle

Onelifechurch   -   March 1, 2020

INTRO: We are heading into our last week of the Travel Log Series. Over the last two months we have been examining the first missionary journey in the book of Acts as it relates to mission and movement. Today we continue on that journey.

 

 

OPENING QUESTIONS

  1. Have you ever been on a mission trip? Describe your experience.

 

  1. If you have never been on a mission trip, what is your biggest hindrance to going?

 

  1. Charles Spurgeon said, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” What do you think he means by this? Do you agree/disagree? What makes someone a missionary?

 

 

SCRIPTURE ENGAGEMENT—ACTS 14

 

Read Acts 14:19-20

“19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.”

 

Context: This passage closes out the story we looked at last week. For more context on that, check out last week’s huddle. Still, here is some brief context. . . . In the verse right before this section, the people in Lystra are worshipping Paul and Barnabas as Gods. In fact, verse 18 says, “Even though they [Paul and Barnabas] said these things [sermon on the Gospel], they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.” Verse 19-20 show a massive change of events for Paul and Barnabas.

 

  1. What stands out to you from this passage?

 

  1. Why do you think Paul went back into the city (vs 20), and what impact do you think it had on the people of Lystra?

 

  1. This passage points to one of the principles for a life of mission and movement . . . Boldness is required.

In his message, Ben said . . . “Whenever the Spirit came upon these men, it always came with boldness and wisdom, not fear and carelessness.”

 

  • What does boldness look like in everyday life? What does it mean for a person to “live boldly?”

 

 

READ ACTS 14:21-28

21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

 

  1. What stands out to you from this passage?

 

  1. Verse 22 says, “they returned . . . strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.”

 

  • In what ways can we still do this practically today?

 

  1. Ben noted that “strengthening” in this context meant—responding to an internal weakness or fatigue. It is a sense of “I’m worn out” or “I just want to throw in the towel.”

 

  • Have you ever been in this place? Did your faith community help you through it? Share a story if you can?

 

  • Or . . . if you have ever been in this place and didn’t receive help and encouragement, how do you wish your faith community would have supported you? What practical thing(s) could they have done to support you.

 

  • Is anyone in your group in this place now? If so, take a few moments to pray for them and brainstorm practical ways you can come beside them to strengthen and encourage them.

 

 

CLOSING—UNCHARTED REVIEW

Read Acts 14: 26-28 

“26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.”

 

Intro: This section points to Paul and Barnabas returning home. It notes that on arriving home, “they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them.” One Life church partners with an organization called Uncharted. Uncharted engages in mission work and church planting all over the world. On Sunday, Ben [the Uncharted Director] closed his message by giving a “report” of what God is doing.

 

We want to close this week by filing your group in on the 4 locations where One Life has been partnering with Uncharted to actively share the gospel. Have your group, write down (or put in the notes app) the names of these 4 locations. They will be needed for this weeks practice.

 

  1. Myanmar
  • In Myanmar, frontline workers are helping bring the Gospel into people groups that are 1.00% reached or less.
  • The focus in Myanmar is:
    • Care—through a Soul Care Gathering
    • Training—by offering Training Conferences
    • Multiplication—Raising up more frontline

 

  1. Belgrade, Serbia
  • In a city of 2 million people, there is thought to be around 1,000 believers.
  • Working with Centre Church and Life Gate church to launch a youth ministry
  • Our students are taking a trip here in the fall.

 

  1. Central Asia (Cannot publish the name of the country)
  • Creating purposeful humanitarian programs that allow us to:
    • Break the cycle of poverty
    • Invest in local economy
    • Create opportunities to share gospel

 

  1. Arab Peninsula (Cannot publish the name of the country)
  • Following the Spirit into brand new territory
    • 3-4 million people
    • Able to identify only 30 or so national believers
    • A number of major cities with 0 believers/churches.

 

 

PRACTICE

This week, spend time praying for these 4 locations. Pray that God would continue to open doors and that the Spirit would encourage the leaders on the ground there. As you prayerfully reflect on these 4 locations, pay attention to see if the spirit is bringing one to the top of your mind. Consider what that might mean and if you need to take any action on that leading.