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Whether you’re a guest or a long-time attendee we’re glad you’re here with us. We’re a friendly and caring group of Christians who are here to help people be CONNECTED with Jesus, CHANGED by Jesus, and COMMITTED to the mission of Jesus.
Sermon Series: We’re continuing a sermon series through the book of Acts. Today we’ll read about one of Peter’s sermons.
Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant[a] Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus[b] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Have you ever had an opportunity to point someone towards Jesus, but totally blew it? In this part of God’s Word we see Peter being able to point a huge crowd towards Jesus. By doing so, 5,000 people come to follow Jesus. By taking a close look at what Peter does, we can learn…
How to Maximize Every Opportunity to Point Someone Towards Jesus:
- Don’t ignore an opportunity
Act 3:11-12, Eph. 5:15-16, Col. 4:5, Rom. 12:21
- Don’t make it all about you
Acts 3:12-16, Eph. 2:8-9, Ps. 115:1, Gal. 1:10
- Be lovingly honest
Acts 3:14-17, Matt. 18:15-17, Gal. 6:1, Prov. 27:5-6
- Point people towards God’s Word
Acts 3:18, 22-25, Heb. 4:12, Ps. 1:1-3, 119:18
- Call people to repent
Acts 3:19, 2 Pet. 3:9, Matt. 4:17, Luke 15:7
- Talk about eternity
Acts 3:20-23, John 3:16-18, Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:17-18
- Make clear what Jesus has made possible
Acts 3:24-26, 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5, John 14:6
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Acts 3:11-26 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?
Diving In
1. Who in your life can you be praying for, that God would give you an opportunity to point them towards Jesus?
2. Have you ever wasted an opportunity to point someone towards Jesus before? What happened? How can you avoid making that same mistake in the future?
3. Think about the person that God worked through to bring you to faith. What did that person do around you, and say to you? How can you be that person for someone else?
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?