Leading By Example
Jay Haugh
Acts 20:1-12
May 2, 2021
Love through encouragement
After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. —Acts 20:1
Love through giving
When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. —Acts 20:2
For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. —Romans 15:26
These young Gentile Christians didn’t know Jerusalem believers. Yet they affirmed their love through giving.
Your giving allows us to continue our mission
Love through perseverance
There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. —Acts 20:3
He’s not only affected. The saints in Jerusalem are affected.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. —Romans 10:1
Love through investment
Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. —Acts 20:4-6
These men are the trophies of his ministry
He doesn’t retire, but he does replace himself
Love through availability
We get a glimpse into what a worship service looked like
Christians gather together weekly
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. —Acts 20:7
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:24-25
Don’t neglect corporate worship
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. —Acts 20:7
Christians gather to break bread
Christians gather around God’s Word
And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. —Acts 20:11
There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. —Acts 20:8-9
Christians hold a message of life and death
But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” —Acts 20:10
BIG IDEA
Christian love is shown through encouragement, giving, investment and availability
SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE
Leading By Example
Jay Haugh
Acts 20:1-12
May 2, 2021
Lectio Divina 3
Lectio Divina is a spiritual practice developed by St. Benedict in the sixth century as a way to meditate on and engage with the Word of God. As a group you will read through a passage of Scripture slowly three times, pausing between each reading to reflect and share. While theology may inform what you hear, this encounter is meant to highlight what the Word is brushing up against right now in your life. Expect this practice to take 15-20 minutes. Specific details for your group are laid out below.
Step One
Select one person to read Acts 20:1-12. Take a 10-15 second pause before you begin reading slowly through the passage. If you are not the one reading, feel free to follow along in your own Bible. While the passage is read, pay attention for a word or phrase that jumps out to you. When the passage is complete, pause for another 10-15 seconds. Go around your group and invite everyone to simply share the word or phrase that stuck out to them or say
“pass.”
Step Two
Select a new person to read Acts 20:1-12. Pause for 10-15 seconds before beginning to read slowly through the passage. During this reading let an image come to mind. This image may or may not be literal; figurative images can help you process the passage and hear what God has to say. Not everyone has a visual mind, so if an image doesn’t surface, that’s ok. When the passage is complete, pause for another 10-15 seconds. Again, go around your group and invite everyone to share the image that came to mind. If nothing came to mind or you do not want to share, just say “pass.”
Step Three
Select a new person to read Acts 20:1-12. Again, pause for 10-15 seconds before starting. This time listen for an invitation from God. To what is He inviting you today? At the end of this reading, pause for 30-45 seconds to allow everyone a few moments to be still and quiet with God. Invite everyone to share what they experienced during this time through the passage. Limit this time of sharing to just one minute per person so everyone gets a chance to share.
Next
Open the conversation to the group. Are there ways God is trying to activate you or your group? The “activated” group processing questions (page 6) are a helpful guide as your group engages with this material and with God.
ACTIVATED: GROUP PROGRESS
How is God activating your group this week?
Share how you are sensing God’s call on your 2 life this week. Listen as others share with you.
Lean into the Holy Spirit and spur Leading By Example
one another on. This may include encouragement or asking questions.
Pray over these specific activations in the lives of one another.
What did you enjoy about this group experience?
What was uncomfortable?
How do you think a regular practice of this could
benefit our group?
SELF-REFLECTION
How did God get your attention during your personal rhythms with Him this week?
What is one thing God brought to your attention while listening to the sermon this week?
How do you think a regular practice of this could benefit our group?