Message Title: Putting Down Roots
Series: Week 4
Scripture: Acts 9:1-19
Bottom Line: Don't confuse root with fruit.
Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
Ice Breaker:
What has been your favorite job you have ever had? Why?
If you had to give up one of your senses, which one would you give up? Why?
Overview:
Don't confuse roots with fruit.
It is good, right, and holy to come to church, to worship, to read scripture together, ect, but these things are just the roots. God expects us to bear fruit that changes ours and others lives, not just change the belief.
Israel was a central spot for travel and trade. If you wanted a story to be heard around the world, then you wanted it to be told in Israel.
The Way was the first title for Christianity.
Jewish leadership sent Saul with a letter from the high priest that said to help identify anyone who follows Jesus. Saul was to arrest these followers and bring them back to hold a trial and punish them. Saul was persecuting the church.
On his way to Damascus, Saul saw a flash of light and he heard the voice of Jesus from Heaven. The people who traveled with him heard the voice, but saw nothing. It was in this moment that Saul lost his sight for 3 days and he did not eat or drink for 3 days as well.
Jesus says, “But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:6 NRSV
Meanwhile in Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias, and Jesus came to him in a vision, and told him to go minister to Saul (the man who was literally sent to kill him).
Ananias follows Jesus' command and goes to Paul. “So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” It was then, Saul’s sight was restored and he was baptized. Acts 9:17 NRSV
Paul’s conversion isn’t just changed belief, it’s a changed life and a changed world
Discussion Questions:
Considering Ananias’ example of obedience and faithfulness in Acts 9, how might the Holy Spirit be leading you to take a step of trusting obedience this week?
What fruit does God expect from us?
What are the outcomes or products of our lives as a follower of Jesus?
What's the next step for you? What's your next step as a small group?
What are we going to be and become as a church? What fruit will we, as the church, bear?
If our relationship with God doesn’t change us and how we live, what are we even doing?