Small group questions.
Use these with your small group or on your own this week.
Connection
- What do you remember most from last week’s sermon?
- How did you hear God’s voice or sense His presence this past week?
- What are you looking forward to most in May?
Reflection
- Summarize this week’s sermon in one to three sentences. What was the main point of the message?
- What did the message say about you, God’s people or the world?
Application
- Waiting on God Ryan shared that “waiting is how God trades our power for His.” Think of a time when God asked you to wait, or a season you’re in right now where the answer hasn’t come. Looking back (or looking at it now), what might God be doing to shift you from relying on your own power to relying on His? Where do you struggle most with waiting, timing, trust, or letting go of your own plan? Suggested Reading: Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalm 27:13-14
- Thinking Too Small The disciples asked Jesus about restoring Israel…a revolution, when Jesus was actually planning a transformation of all humanity. Ryan asked, “Are we thinking too small about our own lives at times, and not big enough for God’s kingdom?” Where in your life or prayers do you think you might be asking God for a revolution when He’s offering transformation? What would it look like to pray bigger this week?
- Testimony, Not Status The Greek word for “witness” in Acts 1:8 is martys, the root of our word martyr. Ryan reminded us that we’re empowered by the Spirit to give testimony, not to gain status. What is your testimony right now? If you had sixty seconds to tell someone what Jesus has done in your life, what would you say? Who in your life this week needs to hear it? Suggested Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-16; Revelation 12:11
- Looking Up vs. Going Out The angels asked the disciples, “Why are you standing here staring into heaven?” Ryan said some of us are stuck looking backward at a season when we felt more spiritually alive, instead of moving forward into what God has for us now. Are you in a “staring up” season right now, frozen, waiting, or longing for the past? What is one concrete step you can take this week to move from standing still to going out? Suggested Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 3:13-14
