Basic Tips:1.) Use a translation you can understand. The NIrV or The circumcise your sons? Message are good starters. 2.) Use a kids Bible with kids. 3.) Keep a pencil 8.) How would you summarize Peter, Paul, and Barnabas’ arguments that and notebook around to write down questions, observations, and the Gentiles do not need to be circumcised in order to be acceptable to conclusions. 4.) Have fun. Use your imagination and your brain. God? How do you recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in others? How can you tell if God has accepted a person? June 7-14, 2020 9.) What should we NOT do as a church according to James (vs 19)? What things does Oakland do right now that “make it difficult for the Gentiles What is the Church? who are turning to God”? What traditions, programs, events, etc. make Day 1 Acts 14:21-28 it difficult for non-believers who are turning to God to enter in and Day 2 Acts 15:1-21 belong at Oakland? Day 3 Acts 15:22-35 10.) Why does James still tell Gentiles to abstain from 3 things in verse 20? Day 4 Acts 15:36-16:10 What would these hurt? Day 5 Acts 16:11-15 11.) What does the Church leadership do to share their decision? Why do they send extra people and a letter? Verse 28 says “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us”? How are these things different but Questions to Guide You: connected? How can you tell what seems good to the Holy Spirit? Is it While we are not gathering in our building every week, it is the perfect time just a democratic vote or is there something more supernatural than to reconsider what is the Church? We’ll start by reading in the book of Acts. that? 1.) Before reading, what has God been teaching you this week about the 12.) Don’t you want to be part of the Antioch church? church? About yourself? About justice? 13.) What do 15:36-41 teach you about the church? Is she perfect? Who was 2.) Paul and Barnabas have already been to Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra; wrong? and were nearly killed in each place. Why do they return? Why do they 14.) What stands out to you about Timothy? Are both of Timothy’s parents go back to such dangerous places? believers? How might this encourage you if you’re in a mixed-faith 3.) How do you strengthen and encourage believers? Who is strengthening marriage? How might Timothy encourage you if you are a child of and encouraging you? Who are you strengthening and encouraging? mixed-faith parents? Should Christians intermarry with non-believers? How is this connected to appointing elders? Why does Paul appoint What do we sacrifice by doing so? Should people who become believers elders rather than congregational election? after marrying, divorce their unbelieving spouse? 4.) What is Paul’s relationship with Antioch Church? Why does Paul give a 15.) Who kept Paul from preaching in Asia? When have you been kept in report? Is he bragging? How can we tell testimonies of God’s ministry check by the Holy Spirit? How did you know it was the Holy Spirit? How through us without bragging? is the Spirit related to Jesus (vs7)? Does the Spirit still do these kinds of 5.) Why are Paul and Barnabas in “sharp dispute and debate” over things? circumcision? What do the opposition want happen and why? Why can 16.) Why does Paul head for a leading city? Should Christians focus extra Gentiles be saved without being circumcised and becoming Jewish, if effort on metro areas? Why do they go to a “place of prayer” instead of Jesus is the Jewish Messiah and Christianity really just the fulfillment of a synagogue? Judaism? 17.) What can you deduce about Lydia? How wealthy is she? Who opens her 6.) What kinds of “laws” do people try to require of Christian converts heart? Who opened your heart? Who opens anyone you share with’s today if they are “really saved”? What is the role of obedience in heart? How can this humble and encourage us? salvation? Why do Christians not obey all the Old Testament regulations? Why do Christians obey Christ’s commandments? 7.) If you are a parent, how did you make your decision to circumcise or not