http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

Acts 4.1-12

Talk It Over

1.    The healing of the lame man started persecution against Peter and John, when have you done something Spirit-led or the right thing and it led to pain or persecution? How did you feel towards God as a result?

2.    Does the fear of persecution for doing the right thing ever hinder you from going for it? Is there ever that unstated hesitation in your decision-making process?

3.     Have you faced persecution by religious or church-people because of your dedication and commitment to Jesus? How did that experience(s) impact your view of the Church or Christianity? Why is authentic faith hated by both the world and religious people in your opinion?

4.     Peter and John were bold and confronted the leaders with the reality of the person and work of Jesus. When you think of boldness as a believer, what comes to mind? How bold are you about who Jesus is in your life? 

5.     Peter declares salvation is found in no other name but Jesus. When you make that claim you pronounce judgment by default on other religions and faith systems as well as on unbelievers, but if you deny Jesus is the only way, you have an unbiblical faith, so how do you personally navigate this truth with people in your world who are not followers of Jesus? Do you struggle with the idea of Jesus being the only way to God? Why or why not?

Life Application

Easter is the time when believers are to be the boldest about their faith as they leverage the calendar to make Christ known. The challenge this week is to overcome fear and be bold with the people who need to hear about the salvation that is found in Christ alone. Take an action-step of boldness towards someone in your sphere of influence this week!!!

http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

April 15th… Genesis ATL begins meeting Sunday mornings at Greg and Melissa’s house!!

Until then, here’s a schedule breakdown for the rest of this semester…

• Sunday, March 11th- SuperNormal Part 7 [5:30pm at Greg and Mel's]
• Saturday, March 17th- Box food with “Bridging the Gap” in Newnan [10:30am- 12:30pm]
• Saturday, March 24th- Worship service at Mountain Lake Church in Cummings, GA, followed by dinner at the Varsity [leave Greg and Mel's at 3:45pm]
• Sunday, April 1st- Final Community Group meeting for the semester w/ SuperNormal Part 8 [5:30pm at Greg and Mel's]
• Sunday, April 8th- NO GROUP
• Sunday, April 15th- Continue SuperNormal on Sunday AM’s!! [10am at Greg and Mel's]

http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

Acts 2:42-47

1. In Genesis, when God says it is not good for man to be alone – what is the implication if man is created good and perfect in God’s image and God is present in the garden? How is man considered alone? Why is loneliness such a deep-seated issue for humanity now after the fall?
2. God is Trinity – 3 yet 1 and community by Himself held together by love – what does that imply about our hardwiring for relationship; our desire for love?
3. Discuss the differences between culture’s definition of love and a biblical definition. Discuss the dynamics of forgiveness and discipline in unconditional love.
4. What is the Church supposed to be for the culture? How is this best seen?
5. In Acts 2.42-47, what were the unique features of the Spirit-filled community? What Acts of the Spirit were happening that were considered normal?
6. Why is the daily meeting in the HOMES (small environment) and TEMPLE (big environment) significant for the Church?
7. What does service do for our sense of isolation and loneliness?
8. How does INCLUSION create and foster INTIMACY in the Church? What happens if the Church becomes isolationists or separatists?

Scripture Study

Acts 2.42-47

Life Application

Re-read Acts 2.42-47 as the guide for relationships – attempt to connect the cause-effect of your loneliness or lack of loneliness based on the grid Luke lays out here. Where are you succeeding and/or failing?

Ask yourself:

a. How am I actively engaged in witnessing in the marketplace to unbelievers?

b. How am I actively engaged in the community of faith with believers?

Fill in the blank:

If I changed ________________ how would I feel differently?  How would my life change for the better?

What are my current challenges, excuses, and fears?

http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

Acts 2:42-47

1.    If time, talent and treasure are the measuring tools, what are you practically devoted to right now?

2.    Why does it/he/she/they have your heart?

3.    When you hear the word discipline what comes to mind?

4.    Do you struggle with discipline? Why or why not?

5.    Why is it critical to be devoted and disciplined in the right things:

a.     Scripture

b.     Fellowship

c.     Sacraments

d.     Prayer

6.    Based on Acts 2.43-47, what are the results of a devoted and disciplined life compared to the results of a half-hearted and undisciplined life?

7.    What does devotion and discipline say about us? What does it say to unchurched people?

8.    Has a spiritual discipline ever become the end instead of the means to the End (God) in your life?

Scripture Study

Acts 2.41-47

Life Application

1.    Do a devotion assessment based on the Time/ Talent/ Treasure grid and identify who or what has your heart. If it is not God, make some life adjustments.

2.    Commit to the four disciplines found in Acts 2.41-47 and evaluate your quality of relationship with God over the next 3 months. Journal it.

http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

Acts 2:14-41

1.    When you think about Peter, what are your first thoughts about him?

2.    How do you or do you not relate to his personal struggles?

3.    How did Peter overcome his shame in John 21?

4.    How do you deal with shame in your life?

5.    What have you let disqualify you from God’s plan past or present?

6.    How does the work of the Holy Spirit change Peter in Acts 2? Why is he the ideal disciple to preach the first gospel message?

7.    How has or how does the work of the Holy Spirit need to change you?

8.    Have you allowed your personal shame to keep you ashamed of the gospel?

Scripture Study

Matthew 14.28-31

Mark 8.33

Luke 22.34

John 18.10

John 21

*Acts 2.14-41

Romans 1.16

Life Application

Pray a prayer of surrender.  Surrender your shame to Christ and invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to boldness. Whatever God has called you to do that you may have given up on,
begin a process to return to that work if possible.

http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

Acts 2:1-13

1.    When you hear the word Pentecost what images, people, experiences, and ideologies come to mind?

2.    Discuss the OT and NT connections between

a.     Feast of Passover and the Cross

b.     Feast of Pentecost and Sinai

c.      Feast of Trumpets and the Parousia

3.    Discuss the phrases:

a.     Water Baptism

b.     Baptism OF the Holy Spirit

c.      Baptism IN the Holy Spirit

4.    Unlike the disciples, have any previously bad experiences or people ruined your ability to trust the Sudden and Surprising work of the Holy Spirit in your life that the disciples
experienced on Pentecost? How have you, are you or will you process that pain?

5.    When it comes to the issue of tongues itself – what are your opinions, thoughts and feelings? Does it invoke positive or negative emotions and thoughts?

6.    How is Pentecost relevant in your life now?

Scripture Study

Matthew 3.11; Mark 1.8; Luke 3.16; John 1.33

Acts 1.4-5, 8

Acts 2.1-13

1 Corinthians 12.13

Life Application

This week pray daily for Jesus to Baptize you IN the Holy Spirit. See what happens!

http://genesischurch.tv/atlanta/gcmedia/

Acts 1:6-8

1.  When you hear the word witness in a church context, what images come to mind?

2.  Do you think everyone is called to be a witness? Is being a witness connected to the office of evangelist?  Is it conditional upon personality type? Talk this over.

3.  When Jesus uses the word marturon for witness which carries the allusion to death – describe how living unafraid of death applies to your life now versus their life then. Do
they compare identically?

4.  Why is being credible so significant as a faithful witness?

5.  When you hear the word holiness what images and ideas come to mind?

6.  Discuss personal and corporate holiness.

7.  How is one a faithful witness within the 7 spaces of culture?

a.    Business

b.    Entertainment/Arts

c.    Government

d.    Education

e.    Sports

f.    Medicine

g.    Technology

Key Scripture

Acts 1.8

Life Application

This week become aware of your personal walk, and it’s impact on others. Find a specific way(s) to be a living witness to Christ in the cultural space you occupy. Finally, start developing
the DNA of an inviter to Genesis Church as part of your role as a witness!