The Contours of Unity
Acts 11
Eric Henderson, Senior Associate Pastor, erich@churchbcc.org
Christian unity is often challenged by controversy, but when this occurs, Acts 11 gives us a guide to faithfully respond to it.
I. Consider the facts
II. Remember what the Lord has said
III. Examine the fruit
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Discussion Questions
Before questions, attempt to give the group a bit of a summary of the main points of the sermon and then choose a few questions that fit your group’s needs and style. We don’t intend for you to use all of these. Three to five questions may be a good number.
1. Do you prefer the details/play by play like Eric’s daughter or the highlights when communicating?
2. Offer a space of silence (ex. 3 minutes) and take time to listen to God, asking him to remind you of how the Holy Spirit has been working among you this week. Share with the group.
Have one person read John 17:20-23 and then have another read Acts 11.
3. Pastor Eric reminds us that Jesus is continually inviting us to be a person of faith, hope and love, seeing and responding to HIS leading. In what specific way is he calling you this in the midst of this particular season. (Option: Split into prayer partners this week and prayer over your partner’s specifically in this area).
4. Using this week’s example of the early Christians, rooted in Judaism, in what ways is it difficult to respond to the revelations of others when it goes against what you’ve always thought to be true? How do the details matter in moments like these? (Additional examples: eating of unclean foods, interracial marriage, women in leadership, etc.)
5. When was the last time you heard something challenging, learned more about it and then praised God after having a truly changed mind/heart? Take a moment to praise/thank God for those moments as a group.
6. Peter’s vision and experience at Cornelius’ house is written twice which may be an indication of how important it was that there really were God fearing Gentiles to whom the Gospel was extended to. Discuss how it is not Gentiles to be evangelized to but rather welcomed as those were already joined by the Holy Spirit.
7. Examining the fruit around you, what will others see about God in that?
8. With “-ian” meaning “the party of” and knowing that Christian means being “of the party of Jesus”, how do we maintain our primary identity as an agent of God’s justice, even as we may align with one group or the other? (Opt. Reference the Identity Truths handout and select a single verse to memorize this week as reminder of your Identity in Christ)
9. Close in prayer for the contours of unity, that we would have soft hearts as we hold one another accountable.