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Sermon Series: We’re continuing a sermon series through the book of Acts. Today we’ll learn what this part of God’s Word says about making decisions.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.[a]
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[b] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Making decisions is difficult. In this part of God’s Word, we see the disciples having to make a decision. By taking a close look at what they did, we too can learn…
How to Make Decisions:
1. Live your life according to God’s Word
Acts 1:12, Rom. 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 3:10, 1 Pet. 4:2, Ps. 119:105, Prov. 9:10
2. Be in fellowship with other believers
Acts 1:13, 15:22, Prov. 11:14, 12:15, 13:10, 20, 15:22, 19:20, Ex. 18:17-19
3. Devote yourself to prayer
Acts 1:14, Col. 4:2, Rom. 12:12, 1 Thess. 5:17, Eph. 6:18
4. Prioritize what the Bible has to say
Acts 1:15-17, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Rom. 15:4, Matt. 4:4, Heb. 4:12
5. Be honest about the current situation
Acts 1:18-20, John 8:32, 14:6, Col. 3:9, Prov. 11:3, 12:22, 19:1
6. Use Godly common sense
Acts 1:21-23, Prov. 2:6, 3:21, 13:14-16, 16:22, 27:12
7. Have an extreme reliance on God
Acts 1:24-26, Prov. 3:5-6, 16:33, 18:18, Jonah 1:7, 1 Sam. 14:41-42, Josh. 7:14
8. Don’t be handcuffed by a scarcity mindset
Matt. 6:33, 14:13-21, John 10:10, 2 Cor. 9:8, Ps. 23:1, 50:10
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Acts 1:12-26 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- What surprised you as we talked about it?
- As you reflect on this sermon series, what questions come to mind?
- Take some time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you to make good, wise, Godly decisions.
Diving In
- What are the biggest decisions you’re wrestling with during this season of your life? Take some time to think through and pray over each one of these decisions that you will have to make.
- Are there any sin issues in your life that you’re dealing with right now? How would that affect your ability to make decisions that would honor God?
- Are you in fellowship with other believers? How would increasing your fellowship with other believers help you to make decisions that honor God?
- Be honest with yourself. When you make decisions, how likely are you to spend a significant amount of time in prayer? What would help you to be more prayerful over your decisions?
- God’s Word is our ultimate authority. How does His Word factor into your decision making? How can you make it your ultimate authority?
- When making decisions, how honest are you with yourself and others about the current reality? How can you be completely honest?
- What would help you to use more Godly common sense when it comes to making decisions?
- Read Proverbs 3:5-6. On a scale from 1-10, how good are you at trusting God? Why? What would help?
- How often does a scarcity mindset stop you from making a decision that would honor God? Why is that? What would help?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?