Life Group Study Guide April-July 2016 1 May Authentic Church

This study guide should be used the week GETTING STARTED following the sermon it supplements. Discuss: do you ever feel discouraged about the Church’s impact in MAIN TEXT: Acts 11:19-30 London and the UK (or even your own impact, be honest)?

DIGGING DEEPER 1119 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was 1. How can verses 19-21 encourage us that God is building his killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and church? Hint: suffering and persecution lead to scattering and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. expansion. The church grows against the odds, and not by the 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus ‘big name’ Apostles, by unnamed men of Cyprus and Cyrene. and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about 2. Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9. Who is responsible for church growth? the Lord . 21 The Lord’s hand was with What role do we play? In what ways do we need to repent of them, and a great number of people believed getting this wrong? and turned to the Lord. 3. The church in Antioch has been described as the authentic 22 News of this reached the church in , church. What are some of the marks of authenticity? and they sent to Antioch. 23 When he Hint: arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, a. Openheartedness. Willingness to cross cultural boundaries he was glad and encouraged them all to remain to share the gospel (verse 20). What boundaries do true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a you/your Life Group need to push through? good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a b. Growth. A healthy body grows. Twice we read “a great great number of people were brought to the number of people…” (verses 21 and 24). Lord. c. Encouragement. Barnabas (the son of encouragement)’s ministry (verse 23). 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for d. -based. Grounded in the Truth of God’s word through Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him good teaching (verse 26). to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and e. Christ-likeness. First time called Christians (little-Christ) by Saul met with the church and taught great outsiders (verse 26). numbers of people. The disciples were called f. Prophetic. Eagerly desiring the spiritual gifts, especially Christians first at Antioch. prophecy (verse 27-28) (:1-3). g. Generous. Giving to those in need. 27 During this time some prophets came down What do we need to celebrate and where do we need to from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, improve in our church/your Life Group? named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread 4. What did Barnabas notice that seems to be the key ingredient in over the entire Roman world. (This happened this and any church’s success? How does “the grace of God” during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as grow churches? each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This NEXT STEPS they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. 1. We all need encouragement, more than perhaps we realise! Invite everyone to publicly give a thoughtful word of COMING UP encouragement to the person on their right.

Malcolm Kayes Preaching | 8 May 2. Discuss how and who your Life Group could be more CAP Course | 9, 16 & 23 May openhearted towards in your locality, e.g. to the people living Women’s Event | 14 May either side of where you’re meeting right now. What loving Church Family Meeting | 15 May creative ways could you carry out to share the gospel with them? Prayer Meeting | 18 May PRAYER

 Give thanks that it is God who grows his Church.

 Praise God that he is making one people from all nations with no discrimination. (Remember that is how we got included.)

 Praise God for the various gifts he has given the church: teaching, encouragement, prophecy, giving/generosity, leadership/administration. Pray for people who have these gifts in your group and ask God to further fan them into flame.

 Ask God for strength to play your part in building an authentic church at Westminster Chapel.

 Pray for the continued fruitfulness from services and events coming up.