Everyone on Mission
Andrew Boone
April 11, 2021
Acts 18:1-28
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. —Acts 18:1-4
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” —Acts 18:5-6
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. —Acts 18:7-8
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. —Acts 18:9-11
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. —Acts 18:18
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. —Acts 18:24-26
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. —Acts 18:27-28
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” —1 Corinthians 1:10-12
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. —1 Corinthians 3:4-6
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. —1 Corinthians 12:12-14
BIG IDEA
The Mission needs the unique contribution of each activated believer
Everyone on Mission
Andrew Boone
April 11, 2021
Acts 18:1-28
SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE
OPEN SHARING 2
Select one person to read Step 2 and Step 3. The steps below are taken directly from the
Samson Society meeting format so some of the language may feel new. The discussion topic
was selected from Andrew’s message on Sunday. Feel free to use this topic, select your own
topic, or discuss the passage specifically.
STEP ONE
As Christians, we meet at other times for worship, for teaching, or for corporate prayer. Today,
however, we meet to talk. Our purpose is to assist one another in our common journey.
We do so by sharing honestly, out of our own personal experience, the challenges, and
encouragements of daily Christian living in a fallen world. Our faith rests in the love of God,
as it is revealed in His Word and in the life of His Son. This is the Great Fact of the Gospel,
which is the foundation of our Charter.
The Fact
God exists. In the timeless mystery of the Trinity, He is perfectly harmonious, perfectly whole.
God is our Creator. He designed us to live in eternal harmony with Him and each other, and
to care for the rest of His creation. Spurning God’s fellowship, we all have sinned, forfeiting
our created place and losing our spiritual lives. I myself have personally defied God’s law
and rejected His love. Alienation from Him has produced darkness and chaos in my life, for
which I have often blamed others. God has continued to love me, even in my active rebellion,
and in Christ has done everything necessary to restore me perfectly to Himself. As I accept
responsibility for my sin and find forgiveness in the finished work of Christ, I experience
reconciliation with God and am progressively restored to harmony with myself and others.
Despite the lingering effects of sin, I am a restored son of the sovereign Lord, whose Spirit is
at work in my weakness, displaying His glory and advancing His kingdom.
STEP TWO
In sharing, we speak honestly out of our own experience. We tell the truth about ourselves,
knowing that our group will listen to us in love and will hold whatever we say in strictest
confidence. We try to keep our comments brief, taking care to leave plenty of time for others.
We address our statements to the group as a whole rather than directing them toward any
one person. As a rule, we refrain from giving advice to others or instructing them during the
meeting, believing that such conversations are best reserved for private moments between
friends. The suggested topic today is Staying on Mission or Personal Gifting. But we are not
confined to that subject. You may speak about any issue that is currently commanding your
attention. The floor is now open for anyone who wishes to speak.
STEP THREE
Process this experience as a group. Are there ways God is trying to activate you or your
group? The “Activated” Group Process questions on page 6 may be 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 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?