“BE MY WITNESSES…” Acts of the Apostles Discussion Lifegroup Series May-July 2020

Orpington Baptist Church

Rev Martyn Travers DATES TO NOTE 3 May 10.30am Believers Baptism 10 May 10.30am All-age Celebration 20 May 7.45pm Churches Together Open Meeting 24 May Visit of Le Fras Strydom (Evangelist) 30 May 9.30am Include Me Too! How to be autism-friendly (CTO) 14 June 10.30am All-age Celebration 14 June 6.00pm Bible-sharing Workshop with Le Fras 17 June 8.00pm Church Family Meeting 27 June 3.00pm Persecuted Church: Release International 5 July 4.00pm BMS World Mission, Bangladesh 11 July 12.00-4.00pm Sanctuary Cafe BBQ 12 July 10.30am All-age Celebration 18 July Prayer Ministry Day with Lin Button 19 July Church Family Bring & Share Picnic Lunch 2 August 6.30pm Summer Concert

Cover cartoon used with permission CONTENTS Page

Introduction

1 Be My Witnesses Acts 1.1-11 3 May 1

2 In the Name of Jesus Acts 3.1-16 10 May 3

3 Powerful Praying Acts 4.23-31 17 May 5

4 Come, Holy Spirit Acts 2.1-18 31 May 7

5 The Main Thing Acts 2.22-41 7 June 9

6 Quality Church Acts 2.42-47 14 June 11

7 Conversion Acts 9.1-19 21 June 13

8 All Nations Acts 10.9-48 28 June 15

OBC’s mission partners - a reminder 17-18

9 Gossip the Gospel Acts 11.19-30 05 July 19

10 Praise at Midnight Acts 16.12-40 12 July 21

11 Cultural Sensitivity Acts 17.16-34 19 July 24

12 Watchout Acts 20.17-38 26 July 26 INTRODUCTION Our new series is devoted to readings from Luke’s second volume telling the continuing story of Jesus now through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Early Church. It was written by Luke sometime between AD63-AD70. The theme of Acts is best summarised by Acts 1.8 “You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth”. This, in effect, is an outline of the book of Acts as God’s mission extends from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. So “Be My Witnesses”, borrowed from Acts 1.8, is the title and theme of our new series. The first disciples were transformed from people that were full of fear and even, in Peter’s case, denying Jesus, to fearless Apostles who in thirty years changed the world forever. For us today, sometimes lacking confidence or assurance in our faith, this is a great story to empower our lives, This series looks to enable us to be the witnesses God wants us to be in our secular society. At OBC we believe in Lifegroups. In a largish church these small groups are a great way to feel that you belong. They’re good for helping us explore and grow in our faith and for spending time in prayer and Bible discussion together. Please be encouraged to commit yourself to get together regularly.

Enjoy your times together and be blessed.

Every blessing. LearningInspirationGroupsFriendshipEvangelism “BE MY WITNESSES…” BE MY WITNESSES : ACTS 1.1-11 1 Focus in…

Both Luke’s Gospel and now Acts is addressed to Theophilus, whose name means ‘one who loves God’. It’s likely that Theophilus was a Roman official of high position and wealth. Through his influence the story could be distributed around the world. Notice that Christ’s work is now pictured as continuing through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Forty days after the Resurrection Jesus returns to Heaven. His post-resurrection teaching of the disciples not only assures them of his living reality, but tells them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. When he comes they would have power to be Christ’s witnesses everywhere in the world.

Like their fellow countrymen the disciples still think that the Messiah would deliver them from Roman occupation. Jesus tells them that times and dates belong to God alone and the angels assure them that Jesus is coming again. Until that day the great commission, in the power of the Spirit, is for them and the Church beyond them to be Christ’s witnesses. Discussion time

● Do you think we still have to wait for the Holy Spirit or is it more that he is waiting for us?

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● How would you define what it means to be Christ’s witnesses today in our own age?

● What hurdles and fears do we face in being witnesses today?

● Do you believe with confidence that Jesus is coming again? What difference does it make for our witness now? Prayer time

Think about where our ‘Jerusalem… ends of the earth’ is today and pray that we might be witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit.

2 “BE MY WITNESSES…” IN THE NAME OF JESUS : ACTS 3.1-16 Focus in… 2 In the early days it’s clear that the Apostles continued to worship in the Temple as well as in their homes. The three set times of prayer in Judaism were 9.00am, 3.00pm and sunset. A favourite entrance to the Temple was through the great bronze Beautiful Gate and it was outside this gate that they encountered the disabled beggar. Disabled people were not allowed in the Temple. He asked them for money; they could honestly reply that they had none. But now, not by their own power but in the name of Jesus he is told to walk. Once excluded because of his disability, now he goes walking, leaping and praising God into the Temple Courts. People were filled with amazement and Peter is quick to use what they have seen to speak about Jesus (vv11-16)

Discussion time

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● Do you believe that God can still heal people today in the power of the name of Jesus?

● When we see beggars on our streets today how might we respond to them as individual Christians and as Churches Together?

● One feature of this story is that someone previously excluded from Temple worship becomes included. The same thing happened in the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 21.14-15). Do you think we can make people feel excluded and positively included today?

● Another great point of the story is that Peter quickly seizes the opportunity to talk to people about Jesus. Both he and John are dragged before the Jewish Courts for doing so. Told to stop speaking about Jesus they again use the opportunity to witness (4.1-22). Do you see opportunities like that coming up in your life and are you as quick to seize them? Prayer time

Pray for those you know who are sick or vulnerable and ask for God’s healing touch.

4 “BE MY WITNESSES…” POWERFUL PRAYING : ACTS 4.23-313 Focus in…

On their release Peter and John return to the other disciples and tell them what has happened. Despite the warnings from the Court they have no intention of keeping quiet about Jesus. In prayer together they declare God to be the Creator and Sovereign Lord. They affirm their belief that though the authorities and powers might do their worst, God has a greater plan. They pray for greater boldness and for a demonstration of God’s power in signs and wonders. Whether the building was physically shaken or whether it was a dramatic sense of God’s Holy Spirit filling both the place and their lives, their prayers were being answered. They spoke out God’s Word with boldness. Discussion time

● What can we learn about praying together from this example of the Early Church at prayer?

● Do you believe that despite what people might do and despite human suffering, God is ultimately in control?

● As we pray together can we expect such a real sense of

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God’s presence and power as they had then?

● What particular opportunity can you identify and use for praying together with other Christians? Prayer time

Pray that we might believe more in the power of prayer and find those opportunities to pray meaningfully both individually and with others.

“…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” Acts 4.29

6 “BE MY WITNESSES…” COME, HOLY SPIRIT : ACTS 2.1-18 Focus in… 4

Because I wanted this study to coincide with the celebration of Pentecost it’s waited until now. However, we’ve already seen in boldness, healing and prayer some of the affects of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is presented as the fulfilment of God’s promises from the prophets and through Jesus of the pouring out of God’s Spirit. This is what Jesus had told them to wait for and now the day of fulfilment had come. It marks the birthday of the Christian Church and is as much a one-off historic event as the Resurrection. It’s for us to enter into the promise of the Spirit in our lives today.

Discussion time

● Take a closer look at the reading. What aspects of it

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especially speak to you?

● Here, the gift of speaking in tongues empowers the Apostles to speak in foreign languages. The international pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish Festival of Weeks hear the Gospel in their native tongue. What is your experience of speaking in tongues today?

● Do you think that people are almost frightened by talk of the Holy Spirit today? Why might this be? Prayer time

Come, Holy Spirit…

8 “BE MY WITNESSES…” THE MAIN THING : ACTS 2.22-41 Focus in… 5

Jesus had taught them that when the Holy Spirit came he would not bring glory to himself but to Jesus (John 16.12-15). Now, immediately following the baptism of the Spirit, Peter is empowered to witness to Jesus. The pattern and themes of his message become the common themes of preaching and teaching in the Early Church. The outline of his sermon is similar to those in chapters 3, 10 and 13. The death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus are the main thing. In light of what he has done, Peter calls people to respond in repentance and baptism, then they’ll also know forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In a rapid expansion of the fellowship of believers three thousand are added to their number that day.

9 “BE MY WITNESSES…” Discussion time

● Sometimes we might be tempted to speak about everything else but the name of Jesus. How can we keep ‘the main thing’ the main thing today in our witness?

● As a church do you think we encourage enough expectation of response to the message of the Gospel?

● People say that this was the first example of revival in Christian history, and in a sense it’s the story that every other revival to come follows. What are the key features of revival for us and can we pray for it today?

● From someone that denied knowing Jesus (Luke 22.54-62) it’s an amazing transformation to someone who is as confident as this. Do you think we can experience anything like that kind of transformation today? Prayer time

Pray for revival. Pray for a greater response to the truth about Jesus. Pray for family and friends who are not yet Christians.

10 “BE MY WITNESSES…” QUALITY CHURCH : ACTS 2.42-47 6 Focus in…

Both in this passage and at 4.32-35 Luke presents a summary of the quality of their church life following Pentecost. It certainly doesn’t mean that they were perfect and indeed divisions were quickly to come between people of differing cultures within the Church (See Acts 6.1-4). However, the Spirit of God clearly inspired something authentic and powerful. House fellowships began to be established all over Jerusalem and hospitality became an important strategy for them, as it had for Jesus in mission. Their fellowshipping itself became an attractive witness, as Jesus said their unity would, and many more were added to their number.

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy, growing and full of love! Ephesians 4.16

11 “BE MY WITNESSES…” Discussion time

● Search out the different themes of the quality of their church life. What was happening here?

● Applying those different themes how do you think they’re represented in OBC today; what aspects are weaker and need working on?

● The unity that they felt was soon threatened but there was a desire to share everything. How can we express this kind of unity today; what might threaten it?

● How do you think our unity through Churches Together in Orpington might play its part in fulfilling this vision of quality church life? Prayer time

Pray with thanksgiving for our church today and pray that the Holy Spirit might inspire us in fellowship together. Pray for the work of CTO, that God’s Spirit might anoint it.

12 “BE MY WITNESSES…” CONVERSION: ACTS 9.1-19 Focus in… 7

Introduced at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, Saul presents as a zealous and orthodox Jew. His intention to persecute and imprison followers of ‘the Way’, as Christians were called, is very clear. As he approaches Damascus he hears a voice from Heaven. Notice that Jesus totally identifies with his persecuted people: “why do you persecute me?” Blinded by the light the first stage in this most famous and influential conversion in history is set. Meanwhile, this otherwise unknown Ananias is instructed to go, guide and pray for the persecutor. Ananias trembles at the thought but knocks on the door. Saul is prayed over, his eyes are opened and he is baptised as a new believer in the Lord Jesus. Discussion time

● How convinced are you by the power of God to bring about a regeneration or transformation in someone’s life as he does here?

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● Do you ever sense God prompting you to speak to someone as Ananias was prompted?

● A Damascus Road experience or a journey to faith over a period of time are equally valuable. What’s your experience/testimony about this?

● Ananias lays his hands on Saul that his sight might be restored and that he be filled with the Holy Spirit. The practice of the laying on of hands became a strong feature of ministry. What do you think is meant by it and can we practice it more today? Prayer time

Pray that that through both your individual witness and our church life, more people of all ages might be converted.

14 “BE MY WITNESSES…” ALL NATIONS: ACTS 10.9-48 8 Focus in…

There’s no doubt that God had to break down prejudice amongst the earliest Christians. They were all initially Jews and many had a strong sense of orthodoxy. Jewish law saw certain foods as ‘unclean’, as it still does today. The Gentiles like Cornelius and his household were ‘unclean’ too. Peter’s given the vision of a sheet of unclean animals which he is called to eat in preparation for the evangelism of the Roman centurion. Peter had been taught not to even enter the house of a Gentile but now he realises that God shows no favouritism. Peter repeats the sermon that he gave at Pentecost about Jesus and again the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they speak in tongues. Gentiles are baptised and Peter goes off a few days later to explain what has happened to headquarters back in Jerusalem. Sometimes, this is described as the ‘Gentile Pentecost’ as it marks the extension of the Gospel, with the coming of the Spirit, to all nations beyond Israel. Discussion time

● Peter’s orthodoxy is challenged and disturbed by a dream or vision from God. Do you think God can still speak to us

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through dreams/visions today and how might we know that they are from him?

● Do you think that Christians still need to have their prejudices challenged? What kind of prejudices might these be?

● Cornelius’s story marks the beginning of the Gospel going to the ends of the earth. Do you think our partnerships in mission at OBC today continue that story - can you identify some of the ways that happens through our links? (See pages 17-18 for a reminder of our partners)

● The Holy Spirit comes upon Cornelius and his household just as he did at Pentecost. This time there are tongues and praise. Do you think the Holy Spirit inspires praise today in the same way as he did then? Prayer time

Please pray for an aspect of our mission to the wider world as a church. Think of one of the partnerships we have and pray for them.

16 BELOW ARE THE MISSION PARTNERS WE SUPPORT AT OBC: BMS World Mission is a Baptist mission organisation, working in around 35 countries on four continents. BMS workers and partners strive every day to make Jesus known and share the full life he brings. From legal work to surgery, food projects to education, BMS works with local partners, providing help where it is most needed, among the most marginalised and least evangelised people in the world. OBC is linked with Pete & Louise who live and work in Bangladesh. www.bmsworldmission.org Miriam Paszova Miriam worked with the young people here at OBC for several months and is now working with young people in the Czech Republic. www.josiahventure.com/ Tearfund is a non-denominational Christian relief and development agency working in 50 countries around the world. It works with partner organisations that are already part of the local community - most often, the local church. The heart of Tearfund is lifting people out of poverty and providing the opportunity for lives to be transformed by God. They provide support, expertise, training and funding to help the local church help its local community. When disaster strikes, the links that they have in the community enables Tearfund to respond quickly to the areas of greatest need. At OBC we have chosen to link with Tearfund partner Sahaara. Sahaara works among those trapped in the sex industry in Mumbai, providing healthcare, education, skills training, counselling and space for women to meet and relax. When someone is ready to leave the trade they support them and help find work. They give support for the children of sex workers by providing schooling and homes. The Bana Besu Feeding Project & Lufutuko Community School On the outskirts of Kabwe in Zambia is a township called Kawama. The Salvation & Healing Ministries Church there have set up a feeding project, a community school, a clinic and a tailoring workshop to develop the skills of men and women and children to help them escape the poverty cycle. They’ve also sent one of their members to be a missionary in northern Zambia with OM. Through a UK charity, The

17 Silverwood Trust, OBC currently funds the work of Danny, a community nurse. Release International serves the persecuted Church around the world. https://releaseinternational.org Providence Baptist Church is our partner Church in Bucharest, Romania. Providence is in Ferentari, a poorer district in the southern part of the city. The area has about 30% Roma (gypsy) population. The church reaches out to their community with Project Ruth. Through different programmes children and adults are encouraged to reach their full potential, to integrate in communities and to develop an attitude of acceptance for others. https://project-ruth.org Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a Christian charity that is tackling the main causes of UK poverty - debt, unemployment, life affecting habits or a lack of vital life skills through 645 projects, including one in Bromley Borough. Home Mission We support financially and in prayer Poverest Road Baptist Church in Orpington and a church plant in Ebbsfleet. Foodbank provides three days nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in crisis who are referred to them. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Orpington Street Pastors are volunteers from different churches out on the High Street from 9pm on Friday nights LISTENING CARING HELPING. Andy, Pam, Helen & Nick from OBC are on the team and Marg is the co-ordinator. If you’d like to join them one night just speak to them. www.streetpastors.org Since 1986 Spinnaker has been developing opportunities for children to engage with Christianity. They now operate in around 100 schools in London and the South East forming a vital link between schools and churches.

18 “BE MY WITNESSES…” GOSSIP THE GOSPEL: ACTS 11.19-309 Focus in…

The Gospel continues to extend. Those scattered by the outbreak of persecution in Jerusalem travel to Cyprus, Antioch and elsewhere. Still, rather conservatively, some are only willing to witness to Jews. Others however, from Cyprus and Cyrene go to Antioch and also speak the Gospel to the non-Jewish Greek people. A great number of people come to the Lord and perhaps for the first time Jews and Greeks worship Jesus in unity together. Believers are first called Christians here (literally, followers of Christ) because it’s no longer a Jewish sect but a united Church of the nations. As HQ hear about it they wisely send Barnabas, the son of encouragement, who now encourages them all. He also, by the way, encourages Saul by bringing him as well to teach and nurture the new Christians here. Discussion time

● The picture is given of believers beginning to travel the world, speaking about Jesus everywhere they go. They ‘gossip the Gospel’. Do you think we can gossip the Gospel

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today or is it just another kind of gossiping that we might be good at?! �

● Look at the way in which Barnabas is described (especially vs 23 & 24). How can we be more like him - sons and daughters of encouragement - today?

● We may take multiculturalism for granted in the Church today, but imagine what it was like as it first began. Can you identify some of the joys and any challenges that face us as a multicultural Church?

● It’s quite something that this new church has a heart for mission in its early stages. It responds to a famine predicted by Agabus in a prophetic word, and then it sets apart Saul and Barnabas for their mission to the wider world (Acts 13.2,3). Would you say that a fundamental part of being a Christian today is having a heart for a broken world? Prayer time

Give thanks to God for the lovely multiculturalism that we enjoy at OBC. Pray for any challenges that it may present to some.

20 “BE MY WITNESSES…” PRAISE AT MIDNIGHT : ACTS 16.12-40 Focus in… 10

A Council of leaders in Jerusalem debate the news that Gentiles are turning to the Lord. Together, guided by the Spirit, they agree that male Gentiles will not be required to be circumcised or to fulfil Jewish law. They are not going to make it more difficult for Gentiles turning to Jesus (Acts 15). So, Paul’s missionary journeys begin in earnest.

Along with his companion Silas Paul comes to Philippi in Greece, having been guided by the Spirit. Philippi was an important

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Roman colony and there they begin to witness to anyone they can find who will listen. Lydia is first, a merchant woman, and she is led to Christ and baptised. Next, a slave girl possessed by a spirit is set free from her fortune telling. In turn this leads to trouble with her owners who’ll no longer be able to make money out of her. They get Paul and Silas flogged and thrown into prison. Around midnight in the prison they’re heard praising God. God sent an earthquake which sets them free and subsequently they lead their prison guard, who was threatening to kill himself due to their escape, to Christ as well. So the Church in Philippi begins to grow; Paul and Silas nurture and encourage them before heading next to Thessalonica. Discussion time

● Even in prison; flogged and treated so badly, Paul and Silas praise God together. Do you think we can praise God more, even when circumstances are bad for us?

● The theme of people being set free is repeated in a number of ways (e.g. the slave girl, the prison guard, Paul and Silas themselves). Do you think we can see people being set free today? How, and from what?

● The Church, from those we know about, is already made up of a slave, a prison guard and a merchant woman. It’s people of all classes. How do you think they got on and how can we

22 “BE MY WITNESSES…” make sure that our fellowship is sensitive to people of all backgrounds and classes?

● The prison guard is turned from despair about his life to being filled with joy, and is baptised with his whole household. Do you think that’s a journey that we can help people make today? Prayer time

Pray for the Church today that we might see people set free in Christ and turning from despair to joy. Whatever our circumstances let’s praise God together.

23 “BE MY WITNESSES…” CULTURAL SENSITIVITY : ACTS 17.16-3411 Focus in…

Paul comes to Athens, the cultural heart of the Empire in Greece. As he walks about the city he sees it full of idols because they worship many gods. Again, wherever he could, Paul talks about Jesus to those that would listen, stressing especially his Resurrection. In a fascinating example of cross-cultural mission he meets then where they are and speaks to them in a way that they might understand. He quotes their poets, he refers to their altar ‘to an unknown god’, he points them to the Creator. In short, he uses something of their philosophical thinking to present Jesus to them.

Discussion time

● Walking around Orpington or more widely in London would we see idols of our age? Do they distress us as they did Paul in Athens?

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● How do you think we can be culturally sensitive today in talking with others and in our mission to the world?

● Paul isn’t afraid to call for a response and leads people to make a decision one way or the other. As a result, it says, some sneered and others wanted to know more. Do you think we can have more confidence in leading people to a decision today?

● What poets, songs, ideas, TV programmes etc might we use as a starting point in talking about our faith? Prayer time

Pray for cultural sensitivity today both as a Church, in individual witness and in mission to the wider world?

25 “BE MY WITNESSES…” WATCH OUT : ACTS 20.17-38 12 Focus in…

Paul’s missionary journeys continue and bring him to Ephesus, a very significant Roman city in Asia Minor, now part of modern day Turkey. After Ephesus he goes onto Jerusalem where he’s

arrested and the journey to Rome begins, with being shipwrecked in Malta along the way. Acts ends with the Apostle Paul under house arrest in Rome, facing execution for this faith, writes to the Churches that he has planted, including those in Ephesus (the book of Ephesians) and Philippi (the book of Philippians). The final verse of Acts 28.31 tells us that he continued to preach boldly and without hindrance about the Lord Jesus.

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Back in Acts 20 there’s a moving farewell to the leaders of the Church in Ephesus. He knows that he’s unlikely to see them again and he wants to warn them about false teaching. He sees himself being compelled by the Spirit to journey forwards, not knowing what will happen to him.“But my life” he says (v24) “is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Discussion time

● Paul has a real sense now of his life being guided by God. Can we have that same sense today, guided and purposeful, given meaning and direction?

● The warning about false teachers like ‘savage wolves’ is still very relevant for us today. How do we discern false teaching and how can we guard against its infiltration in the Church?

● People criticised Paul for the weaknesses he felt and the persecution he faced (2 Cor 6.3-13). Here in Acts 20 he testifies to the dangers he faces and the vulnerability he feels. In the light of your faith how do you understand the struggles that you face?

● This was Paul’s last message to a people that he loved. If you could choose, what would you want your last message to be?

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