Acts 8:1-24
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor, www.spiritsoulbody.org
Evolving faith requires an openness to having my world reordered, over and over again. We see this necessity through three types of people.
Saul: Hanging on to our spiritual presuppositions
Samaritans: Allowing regenerative work of the Holy Spirit
Simon: Seeking to use the gospel as a means of gain
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
What area of your life could you identify as an area of arrested development?
Pastor Richard gives the example of Saul hanging onto presuppositions he was not willing to let go of and reminds us that we all do this.
What is something that needs to be let go of in your life? (ex: wealth, politics, our view of women, view of race)
Can you describe how your life would be radically different if you let it go?
What failure of growth do you risk if you do NOT let it go?
One challenge of growing is “unlearning” parts of the faith of one’s family that were not faith, but culture - and identifying what parts were faith. Share an example of something you had to learn to identify as culture not faith.
Read Galatians 5:22-23 aloud. Remembering that true validation is not your words but your power from the Holy Spirit, what fruits of the spirit are evident in your life?
(Option: Pair off into break out rooms and have each person share with the other which fruits of the spirit they see in the other person or have each person pick another person as you go in a circle.
How does power and prestige play into the contrast of Saul and the Samaritans with their ability to be open-minded?
In what ways can religion be a barrier to the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit? Share an example of allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through you so the work of God can be done.
What practical steps do spiritual leaders (ourselves included) need to take to avoid seeking to use the gospel as a means of gain?