Sept 19th and 20th, 2015 Study Questions :4-12 Spirit-Directed Mission (Is God in This?) Questions and written answers by Pastor Andy Hy

1. Of the six ways to deal with opposition, in which way are you weakest? And in which way are you strongest? Why? Pastor Ray H.W lists down six ways to deal with opposition. They are: Remember your source of authority (v.4); Be attentive to those who are seeking (v.5); Go with a team (v.5); Don’t be surprised by opposition (vv.6-8); Remember your identity in (vv.9-12); Proclaim the Word! (vv.5, 7, 12). This question is meant to be an ice breaker with substance. Encourage your group members to share their strengths and also their weakness. And to give a brief reason why it is their strength and why it is their weakness. If someone is not sure, ask following questions such as, “What kind of personality do you have (e.g. extrovert, introvert)? Do you find yourself wrestling with theological topics? Do you talk with others about these tough questions? Do you find it easy to talk with unchurched people about your involvement at Willingdon?” These are just some examples of leading questions that will help you understand a person’s strengths and their weakness. It’s about inquiring and listening to what comes natural for them and what requires a bit more effort. And then having them draw from their Christian faith, wherever their faith is.

2. Read Acts 13:8-12. Looking at this text, discuss the following questions. a. What did Paul say to Elymas, the magician? Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s just an important point to make. He’s not acting on his own authority but on the authority empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul looks intently at him. Intently in the Greek means to gaze, stare fixed on the object. In this case, Paul’s eyes and all of this attention is fixed on Elymas. Now, some usage of that word is used in a positive way. After someone speaks, the crowds sat down and they intently fixed their eyes at what the rest of teacher had to say to them. That’s a positive. In this case, Paul’s intently fixed on Elymas in a negative way. As we will see in what Paul says to Elymas in verses 10, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?” Then in verse 11, Paul speaks of judgement upon Elymas, “behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time, immediately mist and darkness fell upon him and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.” In other words, Elymas became blind.

b. How did Paul speak to Elymas, the magician? The words that Paul uses are very strong words. They are words of truth. But in today’s context, some would see Paul as someone who is insensitive and self- righteous. Albeit, he is an Apostle and the culture at that time did have reverence for people holding the office of teacher/rabbi/philosopher. But nonetheless, the words used by Paul were very strong along with a strong word of condemnation. It’s important to let your group know that Elymas was not some atheist. But he was a magician who likely dealt with the spiritual powers to be. And like in the ancient world, when it came to spiritual powers, whoever has the most power, their god is LORD. And there are direct implications for magicians as people are being drawn to the power of the Lord Christ, Elymas’ business might take a hit from this. So naturally, Elymas would be strongly opposed against Paul and . Another important point, judgment does not come from nothing. In fact, the evidences of Elymas were laid out clear and strongly. That Elymas’ judgment was fair and just. c. What was Paul’s purpose for speaking this way to Elymas? Verse 12, the proconsul, Sergius, saw what happened that is the interaction between Paul and Elymas and Sergius was astonished at the teaching. The purpose is to lead people to faith. 1st Corinthians 5:5, with sexuality immorality and the unrepentant person, that person is to be handed over to for the destruction of the flesh, so that (purpose) his spirit may be saved in the day of judgment. 1st Tim 1:20 is another cross reference. The point is, God is about saving people even with disciplining, it’s for the purpose of drawing people to salvation. d. Should Christians today speak the same way towards those who oppose the proclamation of God’s word? If not, how should they speak in order to achieve the same purpose? This is a discussion question for your group. Utilizing all the information and gathered conversation from your group so far, talk about how this applies in our context today. Not everyone is able to speak such strong words. Why? And is there an alternative way without compromising the message of speaking God’s justice and calling people to salvation in Jesus Christ? I watched a movie called Hellbound, (caution…dangerous theology and bias) a documentary that ask the question, how can God love and send people to hell or allow people to be in hell for eternity. One rabbi interviewed in a joking way said this Christians love to say “You’re going to hell for your sins. Oh yeah, God loves you!” It sounds contradictory. It sounds crazy, at least the way the Rabbi was saying it. Leaders, be sure to talk solutions rather than just complaining among your group. e. How have you dealt with the “Elymas” in your life who happen to be family or close friends? Often times we deal with ‘Elymas’ that are not that close to us in our relationship circle. However, some of us may have ‘Elymas’ that are really close to us. Perhaps it’s your spouse, or your parent, or your boyfriend or girlfriend, or your kids. Talk about solutions with each other. Encourage them.

f. How can you use your strength (Q1), in spite of opposition, to lead people to believe in the Gospel of Jesus? Utilizing your sharing from question 1, discuss how our strength can glorify God. And how our weakness can be strengthen to glorify God. One example: my weakness is remembering my identity in Christ Jesus through faith. Many Christians struggle with knowing if God loves them for various reasons. One reason may be that they stumble in sin and they just don’t feel God’s forgiveness and love. To them, they feel like hypocrites and unqualified to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One way to strengthen this person’s weakness is by studying God’s word more deeply. Start with Psalm 51, where David pleas for God to not take his Spirit away. People feel this way especially after they stumble with sin. But look at how verses 12-13, David prays for a restored joy in God’s salvation but also that David would tell transgressors of God’s ways. You see, one’s weakness can be affirmed through scripture which says to us God forgives through repentance and faith but that we ought to go and live out this forgiveness by telling others. You can’t feel like you’re not forgiven because you are. And you can’t feel that you don’t qualify to share because God’s word says that you are. And that you should tell others of God’s forgiveness. This is just one example.

3. Acts 13:12, the proconsul, comes to faith. a. How did he come to faith? Sergius came to faith by seeing and being astonished by the teaching of the Lord.

b. What was astonishing about Paul’s teaching? The way the word of God and judgment came upon Elymas. This mighty word had more power than a magician whose life is specializing in manipulating power.

c. How have you seen God astonish people so that they come to faith? Share with each other of how you’ve seen God astonish people to conversion? Some examples: A person living a rebellious life, transformed by the Gospel. A marriage falling apart healed and reconciled by the power of the Gospel. A love one who comes to faith and their family seeing his/her transformation. Another example is a sermon series answering all my skeptical questions about faith and religion. These are just a few for you if your group needs some guidance for discussion.