God is Like An Elephant?

Explore More
What Now?  A Study in Acts
"God is Like An Elephant: He Never Forgets His Promises (Acts 10:1-8)
October 30 - November 5, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 10. Take time to reflect, ask questions (write them down as you go through), and then research and study the answers.  www.biblestudytools.com has a lot of great free online resources.

DISCUSS
Have you ever made a promise and then dropped/forgotten it?  Have you ever been promised something by someone and they never delivered?  Do you ever feel like God has forgotten one of His promises?  What is reassuring about what God says to Cornelius?

LIVE
Take time this week to renew your heart towards God.  If you were feeling bitter towards Him, repent and renew your trust in His faithfulness and the future hope we have in Him.  Apply the character of God to your own life.  Are there promises that you have made that you haven’t held up?  If so, do something about it and make it right.

Urgency, Diligence, and Grace

Explore More
"What Now?  A Study in Acts"Urgency, Diligence, and Grace (Acts 9:19b-31)
October 16-22, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 9. Take time to reflect, ask questions (write them down as you go through), and then research and study the answers.  www.biblestudytools.com has a lot of great free online resources.

DISCUSS
What is the best gift you’ve ever been given?  How long did it take for your enjoyment with it to fade?  Would you say that your response to the Good News is driven with a sense of urgency?  Would you say that you are diligent in learning and knowing the gift of Jesus?  What does the gift of Jesus look like now in your life... is the grace still flowing through you?

LIVE
Take time this week to seek God.  Analyze your relationships, especially the people that don’t know Jesus.  Take the message of Christ as urgent and apply that urgency with diligence and grace.

Converted & Called

Explore More
Converted & Called
October 9-15, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 9. Take time to reflect, ask questions (write them down as you go through), and then research and study the answers.  www.biblestudytools.com has a lot of great free online resources.

DISCUSS
Do you pray for those that persecute you and/or the Church?  Have you ever bullied someone?  Have you ever been bullied by someone?  How does Saul’s experience speak to your personal experience?  Have you had an encounter with Jesus?  Have you heard His call?  What things can disqualify you from doing great things for God?

LIVE
Take time this week to seek God.  Break away for an hour and practice silence and solitude.  Consider fasting for a day and seek God’s will for your life.  When He asks you to do something (no matter how small or big it may seem), simply step out and do it.

The Real Miracle

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 18)
Whine or Worship? (Acts 8:5-25)
September 11-17, 2011



PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 8. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
Are we talking, praying, and acting in the power of the Spirit to see those around us loosed from the bondage of sin and demonic power?  Do we call ourselves a Christian and yet hold grudges, bitterness, anger, jealousy or withhold forgiveness towards others... whether they are a people group or an individual?  Are our motives in following Christ pure and humble?  Or are we here for selfish reasons?

LIVE
Take your answers to the above discussion and apply them to your life this week.  Seek out the motives of your heart.  Seek out the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Move as He directs you and share the Word... be a witness (a martyr) by dying to self and loving/forgiving others.

Whine or Worship

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 17)
Whine or Worship? (Acts 8:1-4)
September 4-10, 2011



PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 1:8 and 8. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
When were you in a situation/season that was difficult?  What was your perspective/attitude in that situation?  How is the world’s response different than the Christian’s in difficult situations?

LIVE
Evaluate your perspective in life... have you been praying for God to remove you from a situation or grow and use you?  Every situation is different... sometimes He will remove you while at other times He wants to grow and use you.  Seek God’s baptism of the Spirit and He will grace you with the strength and giftings to do what He wants you to do!

Embracing Growth

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 15)
Embracing Growth (Acts 6:1-7)
August 14-20, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His. Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 6. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What does a healthy Church look like?  What does healthy Church leadership look like?  Have you ever tried, either directly or indirectly, to stop growth?  Have you ever embraced growth/change?  What are/can you do to embrace health and growth for our Church?  Why is/isn’t this important?

LIVE
Take time this week to consider what your place/calling is in our Church.  Let our Church leaders know what your calling is so that it can be weighed, affirmed, and activated.

What Persecution?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 14)
What Persecution? (Acts 5:17-42)
By David Parsons
August 7-13, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His. Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 5 and Luke 9:23-26. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What is persecution? Have you personally faced persecution because of your faith in Jesus Christ? If so share that testimony with someone this week. Why do you think that the North American Church does not experience the level of persecution that other Christians do? Is it because we live in a free society or is it because we have already lost our voice.

LIVE
Consider how your life would be different if you daily shared your testimony and witnessed that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Ask God to give you the wisdom and the power to be His witness every day and everywhere.

Integrity & Power

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 13)
Integrity & Power (Acts 5:12-16)
July 31 - August 6, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His. Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 5 and James 5. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
Why did others dare not join the Church when they met at Solomon’s Colonnade? Why did the others hold the Church in high regard? Does being a part of our Church cost you? Why do you think the Church was able to act with such power and see so many signs and wonders (miracles)? Can that happen today?


LIVE
Take time to analyze your life and heart. What has your commitment to the cross and the Church looked like? How can you help and who can you pray for?

Grace in Action

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 12)
Grace in Action (Acts 4:32-5:11)
July 24-30, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 4 & 5.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What are the keys to our Church being of one heart and mind?  What can you do to help make this a reality (think specifics)?  Are you honest with the handling of your resources and give in the way the Spirit leads?  Why did God kill Ananias & Sapphira?  Is that fair and in tune with God’s unchanging character of love and justice? 

LIVE
Take time to pray and ask God to reveal to you people that you might be out of sync with or harbour hard feelings.  Make peace in these relationships so that the unity of our Church might be strengthened.  Assess your wallet’s history... is your spending in line with your purpose?

The Sadducee in Me

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 10)
Surprised by God? (Acts 4:1-22)
July 10-16, 2011 


PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Savior and Lord.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.   Invite Him to search your heart and make Himself known.

STUDY
Read Acts 4 & Luke 20:9-19.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
Who were the Sadducees and why were they so opposed to the Good News of Jesus?  What about your life looks similar to the Sadducees?  When was the last time you suffered or were persecuted because of where Jesus lead you?  What is comforting and inspiring about the people that Jesus chose to be His disciples (read 1 Cor. 18-31 for context on this question)?

LIVE
Ask the Father to continue to fill you with His Holy Spirit.   Take time this week to evaluate your focus and follow Jesus into your workplace, family, and neighbourhood.  Be ready and open for lots of opportunities to die to self.

Surprised by God?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 9)
Surprised by God? (Acts 3:11-26)
July 3-9, 2011


PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 3 & John 10.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
When was the last time you were surprised by God?  Was it really a surprise?  When things go “your way” who gets the credit?  On a daily basis whose power do you lean on more: yours or God’s?  When it comes to viewing yourself, whose righteousness do you lean on more: yours or God’s?

LIVE
Ask the LORD to continue to fill you with His Holy Spirit.   Take time this week to step out in faith and follow God.  Pray for someone.  Invite someone over for dinner or coffe.  Dedicate your life and your “things” to God.
 
 

Church on Monday?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 8)
Church on Monday? (Acts 3:1-10)
June 26 - July 2, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Lord and Saviour.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 3 & 4.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What was it about Peter and John that gave them the faith and boldness to see and act the way they did?  Why did they not wait for the cripple to come to their Church service to get healed?  Why did they do missions in their home town?  Did you know that you are called to be a missionary... many of us are even career/paid missionaries cleverly disguised as carpenter’s, bankers, plumbers, and administrators!

LIVE
Before you begin your day, take time to get a new perspective!  Pray for people that you know you will see and ask God to show you how to love them.  Pray that your eyes will be opened to all the opportunities that come your way.

Rekindle the Love

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 7)
Will Someone Stand With You? (Acts 2:44-47)
June 29-25, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Lord and Saviour. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
How is the Church's mission like an earthquake?  What does sharing our possessions look like in this day and season?  What role does participating in weekly gatherings with the Church to play in our lives?  Why is it good to eat together?

LIVE
Three challenges: 1) As a family/household, take time this week to dedicate (or re-dedicate) all your stuff to the Lord; 2) Invite people over once a month over to your house; and 3) Whenever you meet with your Christian friends don't part before you pray together!

Will Someone Stand With You?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 6)
Will Someone Stand With You? (Acts 2:42-43)
June 12-18, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer. Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2. Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What does it mean to stand with someone? How can you apply Acts 2:42 to your life? What does your devotion to God’s Word, fellowship, communion and prayer look like? As you fellowship this week, share with someone your struggles and your successes in these devotions.

LIVE
Ask the LORD to continue to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Let our collective prayer be ”that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you(us) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your(our) understanding being enlightened; that you(we) may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power “ Ephesians 1:17-19 NKJV

Will Someone Speak Prophetically?

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 5)
Will Someone Speak Prophetically? (Acts 2:15-41)
June 5-11, 2011 
 
PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
What does it mean to speak prophetically?  How do you apply Acts 2:17-18 to your life?  Have you ever spoken prophetically? Have you ever been able to use the Word of God to speak to a modern day situation?  If not, why not?  Have you ever been able to see past the smoke screens of the world and spoken Biblical clarity into a situation?

LIVE
The only way to live a sustainable life of speaking prophetically is to be grounded in the word, submitted to the Body (the Church), oberservant and knowledable aobut the ongoings of the world, and an opennes to the Spirit of God.  Which area(s) are you strong and what area(s) are you weak?  Begin to step out this weak in working on those weaknesses.
 
 

Will Someone Please Stand Up

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 4)
Will Someone Please Stand Up (Acts 2:14)
May 29 - June 4, 2011 
 
PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 2.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history.  We encourage you to make time to sit down and read all of Acts in one sitting at some point... the context of everything really hits home then.

DISCUSS
How do you respond to people that mock you and your faith?  Have you ever experienced mocking... why or why not?  What are the qualities of Peter’s speach that turn mockers into believers?  How can you apply Peter’s example to your life  and in our current setting?

LIVE
Take time this week to ask yourself... Ask yourself what part of your life you need to get more mature in: 1) integrity/conviction; 2) submitting and fellowshipping with the Church; or 3) operating in the power of the Spirit instead of my flesh.  The Holy Spirit will reveal what you need to do... follow His leading and empowering.

 

Look Who Blew Into Town!

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 3)
Great Expectations (Acts 2:1-13)
May 22-28, 2011 

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.  

STUDY
Read Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  Continue to read Acts to get more comfortable with this part of our history. 

DISCUSS
What is it about the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost is encouraging to you?  Have you been amazed and perplexed lately by the power of the Spirit?  If not, why not?  How do you handle rejection by others.

LIVE
Take time this week to get together with other Christians and pray.  It could be in your family, your small group, or a group of friends.  Simply wait upon the Lord for direction by His Spirit.  If the Spirit leads you to pray for certain people or situations, do that.  If the Spirit leads you to certain actions, follow up on them.  Doing something like this may be new and scary to you, but it will result in the life you created to live.
  

Great Expectations

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 2)
Great Expectations (Acts 1:9-26)
May 8-14, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Acts 1; Matthew 28:16-20.

DISCUSS
What do you do when you are waiting for the Lord for direction?  What did the early followers of Christ do?  What crosses your mind when you hear that the Church started with 120 followers?

LIVE
Take time this week to get together with other Christians and pray.  It could be in your family, your small group, or a group of friends.  Simply wait upon the Lord for direction by His Spirit.  If the Spirit leads you to pray for certain people or situations, do that.  If the Spirit leads you to certain actions, follow up on them.  Doing something like this may be new and scary to you, but it will result in the life you created to live.

Now What? Week: 1

Explore More
What Now? A Study in Acts (Pt. 1)
Power to Be My Witnesses (Acts 1:1-8)
May 1 - 7, 2011

PRAY
Before you begin reading, reflecting, discussing, and applying, begin by opening your heart up to our Creator and Sustainer.  Praise Him and ask Him to incline your heart to His.

STUDY
Read Exodus 24-25 and Acts 1-2.  Take time to reflect on the significance of these two events.  What similarities do you see?  Pick apart the words in Acts and figure out what they mean (www.biblestudytools.com is a good place to start).

DISCUSS
What is the primary purpose of the Church?  Is that your primary purpose?  What role is the Spirit of God to play in our life?

LIVE
Ask God to baptize you with His Spirit (each and every day).  Pray and look for opportunities for you to meet a need.  When God prompts your heart with something you need to do, don’t be afraid, but step out in the power of the Spirit and do.