Roots Series - Part 1

Roots Series part 1 - Acts chapter One
October 30, 2011

Roots series part 2

Roots series part 2 Acts Chapter 2:1-41 Take out: Read Acts 2:1-41. See verses 12-13: When people witness the same event/miracle/evidence, why is it that some are geuniuely intrigued, and others simply mock? Read Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9-10. Note what is taught about 'prerequisites' to salvation, and consider how these passages compliment Acts 2:37-40 ***Are there any lessons for us in how we share the gift of salvation and our use of 'religious' words?
November 06, 2011

Roots series - Part 3

The emerging Church

Acts 2:42-47 Vs. 42: Normative Values for Church Community • Teaching • Fellowship & ‘Breaking Bread’ • Prayer Vs. 43: Awe and Wonders Vs. 45: Selling & Sharing – Radical Generosity • ‘Let’s negotiate’ – or - How far can we go? Vs. 44 & 46: In it ‘together’ Vs. 47: The Lord adds Take out: (Work on these at home) Read Acts 2:42-47: in two or more translations, (try biblegateway.com), and note your emotional reaction to this snapshot of early church life. Do you find this picture compelling or intimidating? Why? Read Matthew 9:35-38: How does this passage, along with Acts 2:47 challenge us to think about God’s role in the process of ‘evangelism’? What is your/our responsibility in the process – and what can your Life Group (Oikos) be more focused on toward evangelism?
November 13, 2011

Roots Series - Part 4

It all points to Jesus Acts 3

Studying the Miraculous • Signs of the Apostles, 2 Corinthians 12:12 A Second Miracle & Sermon combination • Access to God and His people Leviticus 21:16-24 • ‘in the name’ of Jesus – not an incantation • Jesus, the blessing meant for all people Galatians 3:16 Receiving God’s Blessing, Acts 3:26, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Isaiah 30:21, Ezekiel 11:19 Take out: (Work on these at home) Review Acts 3: *Some people believe that someone can’t be healed unless they themselves have enough faith, but author Luke is ambiguous in this story regarding whose faith heals the lame man. What do you think? Whose faith healed this man and how does that impact healing today? *Make a list of which aspects of Peter’s sermon are transferable to our evangelistic sharing in our culture today. Are there any aspects that are non-transferable? Compare with Acts 17:22-34.
November 20, 2011

Roots Series - part 5

Acts 4:1-31 The Bold and the Beautiful

Acts 4:1-31 • Previously in Acts • Why Rejection from the ‘religious’ establishment? o Temple o Torah o Territory o Tribalism o Theology • Surprising Boldness & Courage Take Out: (work on these at home) Review Acts 4:1-31. See verse 13: If the Sanhedrin (religious rulers) were assessing you, who would they discern you had been spending your time with? Why? Note verses 24-30: How do your prayers line up with or diverge from the prayer of the church in this passage? Are there changes you can make to pray for biblically?
December 04, 2011

Roots Series Part 6

Roots Series Part 6 Acts 4
December 18, 2011

Roots Series Part 7

Liar, Liar

Acts 5:1-11 Case Study: Ananias & Sapphira • Ego & Esteem • The Destructive Nature of Deceit • Privilege & Challenge of the “Church” Take Out: work on these questions at home or with your mid-week Life Group. *Review Acts 5:1-11. Note how the text equates lying to the church with lying to the Holy Spirit (God). Why do you think that is? In what ways or areas of life are you most often tempted to trim the truth? What experiences, thoughts, or other influences tempt you to be less than fully honest? *Are you willing to risk becoming more truthful, starting with those in God’s family (the church)? What do you appreciate most about God’s idea of the ‘church’?
January 15, 2012

Roots Series Part 8

Restructuring for Growth

Message: Restructuring for Growth Acts 6:1-7 As the disciples rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Acts 9:1 • Diversity and Growth o Recipe for misunderstandings • Twelve plus Seven – sharing the work o Expect, Identify, & Solve the problems • Out-reach & In-reach balance • Prepared for growth Take Out: work on these questions at home or with your mid-week Life Group. • What are some lessons gleaned in Acts 6:1-7 that can help us handle problems in the church today?
January 29, 2012

Roots Series part 10

Acts 7 - 'Till death due us part

Introduction: The Offending Gospel Stephen’s ‘Defence’ • Three main ideas: 1. God’s relationship with His people is Developmental; 2. Holy Land and sacred space are wherever God is; 3. Israel routinely showed a pattern of opposing God’s plan and messengers. • Abraham called into a relationship of grace by faith. The symbol of the covenant is portable. • Joseph was blessed in Egypt (not Israel), without special land or buildings. God used Joseph to rescue his family even though his own people had rejected him – just like God’s people rejecting Him. • Moses was rejected by his own people, just as God’s family has rejected Jesus. God taught how wherever He met His people was Holy ground = wherever God is, is holy. God promised to send a prophet one day, like Moses, and Stephen says its Jesus! • David wanted a fixed Temple – but it wasn’t God’s idea; instead, God gave the portable tent first. • Stephen summarizes Israel’s approach to God as ‘religious’ and idolatry because they want their religion more than they want God himself. The Truth as ‘Seed’ Luke 13:18-19 Take Out: work on these questions at home or with your mid-week Life Group. Read Acts chapter 7: Ask yourself what your non-negotiables of faith/religion are? What beliefs do you hold, but are open to investigating further? What do you think are the absolute, non-negotiables for Christian faith?
February 12, 2012

Roots Series Part 11

Roots Series March 4, 2012 Lead Pastor Mathew Bradbury Acts 8
March 04, 2012

Roots final of the series

Final - roots series
March 11, 2012