9.5.21 HUDDLE

Zach Below   -   September 6, 2021

INTRO QUESTION

  1. Have you ever been to a One Life baptism service? If so, describe your experience.

 

INTRO: This week, Pastor Bret asked the question, “As a faith community, what do we need to be reminded of . . . what really matters?” He gave us 5 things to think about. Read over the 5 things that matter and answer the following questions.

  • Prayer and Power Matter
  • Others Matter
  • The Message Matters
  • People’s Response Matters
  • The Church Community Matters

 

  1. Which of these do you need to be reminded of most often? What makes you say that?

 

 

BIBLE ENGAGEMENT – ACTS 2:1-11

Context: Reminder—this is the day the church is born.

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

 

QUESTIONS

  1. What stands out to you from the text?

 

  1. How does this speak to the idea that “prayer and power matter,” and “others matter?”

 

 

BIBLE ENGAGEMENT – ACTS 2:22-36 

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[b]

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’[c]

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

 

 

QUESTIONS

  1. What stands out to you about this text?

 

  1. How does this speak to the idea that “the message matters?”

 

  1. How would you paraphrase Peter’s message?

 

 

BIBLE ENGAGMENT: ACTS 2:37-47 

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

QUESTIONS

  1. What stands out to you from this text?

 

  1. How does this text speak to the idea that “people’s response matters?”

 

  1. How did Peter say the people were supposed to respond?

 

  1. How does this text speak to the idea of “the church community matters?”

 

 

APPLICATION

  1. In which of these 4 areas is your faith community strongest? Weakest?

 

  1. How can your group help celebrate the wins and strengthen the weaknesses of our community?

 

 

CLOSE IN PRAYER