Kingdom Proclamation The Message of the Kingdom Spreads Through Bold Messengers

Transcription

1 SESSION 11 Kingdom Proclamation The Message of the Kingdom Spreads Through Bold Messengers Summary and Goal After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples began proclaiming Him as Lord and Savior. They put on display the power of His kingdom by performing miracles in His name. When confronted by earthly authorities, they reaffirmed their allegiance to Jesus and continued to declare the gospel with boldness. In the disciples ministry, we learn how to share and show the love of God by boldly and graciously proclaiming the gospel and ministering to those in need. May we be reminded that the message of the kingdom spreads through bold messengers! Steps to Prepare 1. Read the main passage for this lesson, recording your insights and questions: --Acts 4: Study the Expanded Lesson Content (pp ). --Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group. --Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class. 3. Review the Teaching Plan (pp ). --Refine the lesson plan based on your group s particular needs. --Adjust the plan if necessary. 4. Pray for the Lord s guidance as you lead your group through this material. Lesson Outline 1. God s people must display the kingdom through ministry in Jesus name (Acts 4:1-12). 2. God s people must decide to give ultimate allegiance to Jesus (Acts 4:13-22). 3. God s people must declare the power of Jesus with boldness (Acts 4:23-31) LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

2 Teaching Plan Kingdom Proclamation For Further Discussion What happens when people use ministry to seek a name for themselves? How can we avoid this temptation? For Further Discussion What are some ways we can put the kingdom of God on display in our local church s ministry? Introduce the Lesson Begin the session with a discussion about the saying Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words (leader p. 130; personal study guide [PSG] p. 100). What do you think of this saying? What are some of the most bold, memorable ways you have seen or heard the gospel being proclaimed? Recap the previous session (leader p. 130), and then summarize this lesson s focus on how the early Christians proclaimed the arrival of God s kingdom (leader p. 130; PSG p. 100). 1. God s people must display the kingdom through ministry in Jesus name. Set the context for Acts 4, and then read the first 12 verses. Encourage your group to look for clues as to why there was such a strong response to the gospel, both positive and negative. Show how the power in the disciples proclamation was because of their presence among the lost (leader pp ; PSG pp ). In what ways can we display the nearness and power of the kingdom of God in the rhythms of everyday life? Highlight the way the disciples displayed the power of God s kingdom through their ministry. Explain what it meant for the disciples to describe Jesus as the cornerstone (leader pp ; PSG pp ). What is the connection between the apostles ministry and their message? Can there be one without the other? Why or why not? 128 Leader Guide Fall 2014

3 2. God s people must decide to give ultimate allegiance to Jesus. Read Acts 4:13-22, and encourage your group to focus on the resistance the disciples faced as they proclaimed the gospel. Highlight how it was evident that the disciples had been with Jesus (leader pp ; PSG pp ). What might need to change, both in how we relate with Jesus and how we relate to neighbors and nations, in order for people to identify us as having been with Jesus? Explain the resistance the disciples faced and how they gave ultimate allegiance to Jesus Christ, no matter what the earthly authorities said (leader p. 134; PSG pp ). If the gospel doesn t seem to have a compelling effect on someone to share that gospel, why might that be? 3. God s people must declare the power of Jesus with boldness. Read Acts 4:23-31 to show how the disciples proclaimed the power of Jesus through their bold praying. The early church prayed because they recognized their need for God s help in proclaiming the gospel (leader pp ; PSG pp ). How might we make prayer more the unifying thread of our reality rather than a discipline that interrupts all we have to get done this week? The early church was bold in prayer because they trusted that God had a plan to bring people to Himself. They saw themselves as part of God s mission, as servants of the Master (leader pp ; PSG pp ). How would considering yourself a servant to God s mission affect the way you live out your relationship with Jesus? How would being His servant affect your boldness on mission? Conclusion Focus on the importance of knowing whose we are God s people sent to bring the good news of God s kingdom to everyone (leader p. 137; PSG p. 107). Apply the truths of this lesson with His Mission, Your Mission (PSG p. 108). See sidebar for direction. For Further Discussion How would people describe you? What is our congregation known for? How should we hope to be identified? For Further Discussion Why do people try to muzzle the messengers of the gospel? Why do these attempts ultimately fail? For Further Discussion What happens when we are bold on mission but fail to pray? How do we balance boldness and graciousness? His Mission, Your Mission Lead your group through Live on Mission (PSG p. 108).... Optional: Read the quote by Ford and Brisco (leader p. 137; PSG p. 108), and ask the following questions: How would you describe who we are as Christians? (Ministers in Jesus name; loyal servants of Jesus; a praying people) Define the role of the church in the kingdom of God. 129

4 Expanded Lesson Content Kingdom Proclamation Voices from the Church A godly life should serve as a witness for the message we proclaim. But without words, what can our actions point to but ourselves? We can t be good news, but we can herald it, sing it, speak it, and preach it to all who listen. 1 Ed Stetzer Introduction A famous saying, often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, goes like this: Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words. This oft-quoted saying can be quite polarizing. People debate who actually said it and if it s even worth being said. Regardless, don t miss the point: the kingdom of God is to be proclaimed. We as the followers of King Jesus must gratefully, willingly, lovingly, and boldly proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God with our words and then back up that proclamation with our lives. What do you think of this saying? What are some of the most bold, memorable ways you have seen or heard the gospel being proclaimed? Lesson Summary In the previous session, we considered how Christ s sacrifice demonstrates the power of God s kingdom of love. Christ s death and resurrection frees us from self-service to be able to serve others. Our service, compelled by this gospel of Christ s freeing sacrifice, powerfully displays the love of Jesus and the nearness of the kingdom. After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples began proclaiming Him as Lord and Savior. They put on display the power of His kingdom by performing miracles in His name. When confronted by earthly authorities, they reaffirmed their allegiance to Jesus and continued to declare the gospel with boldness. In the disciples ministry, we learn how to share and show the love of God by boldly and graciously proclaiming the gospel and ministering to those in need. May we be reminded that the message of the kingdom spreads through bold messengers! 130 Leader Guide Fall 2014

5 1. God s people must display the kingdom through ministry in Jesus name (Acts 4:1-12). Not long after Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers received the Spirit Jesus had promised them. As they experienced together the power of the Spirit coupled with the compelling love of Jesus, they were ignited in their mission to give this hope and love away. That is how God s people displayed the kingdom of God come near when they themselves went near to the lost and lonely and lame to minister in Jesus name. An early example of this kingdom display is found in Acts 4, just after Peter healed a lame man in Jesus name. 1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power or by what name did you do this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Further Commentary The parties listed in verses 5-6 represent all the most powerful players in the Jewish religious establishment. Peter again emphasizes to a Jewish audience that Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom the nation had crucified, was raised from the dead by God. This same Jesus is the power by which the lame man was made healthy. Peter again identifies Jesus with OT testimony by citing Psalm 118:22. Though Jesus was a stone rejected by the Jewish leaders, God made Him the cornerstone (foundation) of the church. Peter concluded by making clear the uncompromising claim of Christianity: There is salvation in no one else besides Jesus. 2 Stanley E. Porter, HCSB Study Bible Notice that the disciples were proclaiming the resurrection, and 5,000 people trusted the risen Savior! Why such a response? As we consider ways we can display the kingdom of God in our lives, this is a good question to ask. First, the Jews in the first century were weary under the rule of the Romans. They had bounced back and forth between tolerating their oppressors and revolting against them. Furthermore, Jesus teachings implied the people were carrying a weight of weariness under the rule of the law. Paul would describe this burden as a curse (Gal. 3), for rulekeeping and image-maintaining are a waste of energy. Most of all, the Jews were yearning for the Messiah. Put these together and you have an audience ready to hear a message about resurrection life. 131

6 Further Commentary Sadducees disagreed with the Pharisaic doctrine of the resurrection, but Pharisees posed less of a threat to them than the Christians, for the Pharisaic doctrine was only a theoretical hope for the future. From the Jewish perspective, the apostolic witness that one person had already been raised would proclaim that the resurrection had been inaugurated. By guaranteeing rather than simply teaching the future hope of the resurrection, the disciples threatened the Sadducees security as leaders of the people. 3 Craig S. Keener Voices from Church History So powerful was [Christ s] resurrection that he is the cause of resurrection for others as well. 4 John Chrysostom (circa ) Voices from the Church The structure of the church s corporate life together is tightly tied to the gospel, and the content of the gospel is tightly tied to the structure of the church s corporate life together. They shape and implicate one another. 5 Jonathan Leeman The disciples resurrection message was more than just a presentation, though. The disciples were present. Their presentation was made in the midst of their presence. There is something for us to learn from this. It is through our presence among the lost and lonely and lame our drawing near to others that those yearning for life will be most receptive to the presentation of the message about God s kingdom. Resurrection was a message proclaimed by the disciples within the context of loving relationships with others. In what ways can we display the nearness and power of the kingdom of God in the rhythms of everyday life? No wonder so many responded and believed. They weren t just being witnessed to. They were witnessing for themselves a sacrificial love among the followers of Jesus. They were witnessing for themselves a hopefilled way of living rooted in a kingdom that superseded Roman rule. The display of God s kingdom was so powerful that lives were being transformed and critics were being stirred up. Bodily ailments were being healed. Dead relationships were being resurrected. Daily worship of the Father was coming alive through personal and collective prayer outside of sacred locations. Needs were being met by people who held loosely to what was in their hands and gave freely from the joy growing in their hearts. The religious leaders inquired about the source of power for these experiences. They brought Peter and John to stand before them; no doubt they were attempting to intimidate them. But Peter and John were once again filled with the Spirit. They gave credit for any display of power to the crucified and risen Jesus. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter described Jesus as the cornerstone ; some scholars suggest the word should be translated keystone. In construction, these are two different pieces, but both are crucial to a structure. The cornerstone (as the name suggests) is in the corner, offering both stability as well as a place to indicate the intent and purpose of the structure. The keystone is at a pinnacle point of the construction, normally holding four arches together as one refuge, stabilizing the roof, and offering sure coverage for those inside. It is this cornerstone or keystone this Jesus who was the source of power for Peter and John. This Jesus is the only cornerstone that offers hope for a stable life, stabilized because of the accomplishment of the cross. This Jesus is the only cornerstone that offers understanding of our intent and purpose together in this life, both for humanity as a whole and for the church as God s people. This Jesus is the only keystone that brings our otherwise selfish lives together into a harmonious refuge of God s resurrection power and kingdom love. 132 Leader Guide Fall 2014

7 Just like the early church displayed the kingdom of God from house to house, we too should pray for Jesus to help us put His kingdom on display in our communities away from our constructed temples and in the midst of our reconstructed hearts and lives. The apostles generous ministry backed up their message just as their gospel message compelled them to minister. What is the connection between the apostles ministry and their message? Can there be one without the other? Why or why not? 2. God s people must decide to give ultimate allegiance to Jesus (Acts 4:13-22). Have you ever been invited to a party in someone s honor? Maybe just a birthday. Maybe someone famous. Maybe honoring someone s accomplishments. If you are there among people you don t know personally, you ll probably get asked this question: So, what s your connection to so and so? If you re invited, you ve got a connection to the person of honor. The same is true for those who will be at the wedding party when Christ returns. And it s already the case for those who are the bride of Christ (the church). Peter and John were identified as having been with Jesus by a bunch of wedding crashers, so to speak, people who were resisting their message. Take a look at the next set of verses: 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. Further Commentary Peter had borne his testimony. It was now time for the Council to deliberate. They assessed the evidence (vv ). First, there was the courage, the sheer freedom with which Peter spoke. They hardly expected this from men who had no formal education in matters of the law, who were ordinary laymen. Then there was the fact that they had been with Jesus. He too had been just a commoner but also with an amazing boldness and knowledge beyond his training. But he too had been a dangerous person, a threat to their peace; and they consequently had condemned him to death. Finally, there was the healed man, standing with them before the Tribunal The irony can scarcely be missed the accused spoke with utter boldness and freedom; their accusers sat in stony silence The apostles could only speak of what they had seen and heard (v. 20). They were the eyewitnesses of Jesus entire ministry (1:21ff.), the witnesses to his resurrection (2:32; 3:15). Peter and John had no choice but to defy the court s order, for it had stepped in between the conscience and God. The court had no alternative but to threaten them further and release them (v. 21). They could find no grounds for punishing them at this point, and they feared the apostles popularity with the populace. 6 John B. Polhill 133

8 Voices from Church History There is no redemption of human captivity [to sinfulness] except in the blood of Him who gave Himself as a redemption for all. 7 Bede (circa ) Voices from the Church We challenge our people to live sent because when God transforms lives, God gets glory. It s all about God, not people. The glory and fame of our awesome God charges our batteries. 8 Pat Hood Notice in verse 13 how God s people were recognized by their proximity and connection to Jesus. The religious leaders took note that they had been with Jesus. What a significant thing to say about someone whose life is surrendered to Jesus! Our allegiance to Jesus is not only declared but also displayed. Kingdom people don t just say they have a King; they claim to actually know the King. What might need to change, both in how we relate with Jesus and how we relate to neighbors and nations, in order for people to identify us as having been with Jesus? When opponents can t deny the message, they often try to quiet the messenger (vv ). The man who had been healed stood with these two ordinary, uneducated men who spoke eloquently and healed miraculously. This reality confounded the religious leaders. People were being healed and lives were being transformed. This rugged group of Jesus-followers was swaying popular opinion. That the message being proclaimed affected those hearing and seeing its proclamation couldn t be denied. What an effective approach! Today, we should remember that calling people to give ultimate allegiance to Jesus should take place in a context of real-life evidence of salvation. The message is heard and received because the power of the message is seen. The early church embodied that message daily by the way they took time to care for the lost and lonely and lame. In verses 18-22, the religious leaders threatened Peter and John, telling them not to preach the message of the resurrection any longer. Peter and John replied that they could not help but speak of that which they had seen and heard. They disregarded the threat not because they were revolutionary mavericks but because they were resurrected men. Their ultimate allegiance was to Jesus. They couldn t help speaking of the kingdom of God because it had invaded every area of their lives. Peter had gone from denying his relationship with Christ to leading the early church. Resurrection was no fairy tale to him. Jesus deserved ultimate allegiance. For this reason, he and the disciples weren t interested in keeping the peace but instead were proclaiming the true peace that comes through Jesus Christ. If the gospel doesn t seem to have a compelling effect on someone to share that gospel, why might that be? 134 Leader Guide Fall 2014

9 3. God s people must declare the power of Jesus with boldness (Acts 4:23-31). We ve seen that the apostles gave ultimate allegiance to Christ as they displayed the truth of His kingdom. Next, we see what emboldened them as they declared the power of Jesus through prayer: 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Leonard Sweet once said, Too many Christians want to change the world, not because they love the world but because they hate the world. 9 Is this accurate? Think about it. It could be concluded, based upon the epidemic of churches disconnected from community, that many Christians are often more passionate about morality than the Messiah, or about heralding preferences than helping people. Our society has little hope of experiencing a taste of heaven on earth until followers of Jesus boldly love the people we are called to reach. That is what the early church did. There were two reasons why: First, prayer undergirded the proclamation of the gospel. In verse 24, the disciples response to the threat of the religious leaders was not man-made strategy or man-manipulated scheming. They simply prayed. They cried out to the God of help for help to keep doing what they had heard Him command them to do (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 6:27-38; John 13:34-35; 20:21; Acts 1:8). Further Commentary When Peter and John told the members of their fellowship what had happened, they all recognized this persecution as fulfillment of Psalm 2:1-2. Gentiles and the people of Israel had united in opposition to God s holy Servant Jesus and His followers. Then and now, believers take comfort in knowing that Jesus sufferings (as well as their own) are not by chance, but are predestined by God. The early Christians recognized that just as Jesus had been promised trouble, they too would encounter persecution for proclaiming Him as Messiah. They asked God for the power to speak with complete boldness, even if punishment should follow. Besides boldness in testifying, the early Christians expected to receive power from God to perform healing, signs, and wonders through the name of Jesus. 10 Stanley E. Porter, HCSB Study Bible 135

10 Voices from Church History Scripture announced that beautiful [are the] feet that bring peace; therefore, the joyful earth was moved under the tread of [the apostles] to whom peace was given by the word of the Holy Master. 11 Arator (circa sixth century) Prayer was not a spiritual discipline to them. Prayer was a lifeline. Prayer was constant communication that affected their everyday life. Prayer was breath, offering the needed oxygen to keep living and loving. Prayer was the means of accessing the Spirit wind that blew them on mission daily. How might we make prayer more the unifying thread of our reality rather than a discipline that interrupts all we have to get done this week? Second, trusting God s plan helped the early church boldly declare the gospel. They trusted that God had always been planning to communicate the message of His love to a lonely and rebellious humanity. The cross demonstrated God s love clearly. The disciples trusted that God had always been planning to communicate the hope of resurrection to a death-ridden humanity. They trusted that God s plan at this point in history now involved His church embodying what had always been His mission to communicate. The church was intended to act out love s ability to reconcile people to God and raise people from the dead. And so they prayed for boldness to stay on the mission with Jesus. In their prayer, the disciples quoted Psalm 2:1-2. Whether they considered their present experiences as having been prophesied in these verses is debatable. Some scholars hesitate to use the Psalms as prophetic words foretelling a coming reality and see them instead as honest expressions of those relating with the living God in their present reality. Either way, the disciples clearly compared the religious leaders of their day to those who stand against the redemptive purposes of God (Ps. 2:1), and they likely thought of themselves as a people identified with the Messiah Jesus, the Anointed One the rulers stood against (Ps. 2:2). One thing is for sure they were confident in what God had been up to and in what He was now up to via His church. Consider this question: Is boldness in my proclamation connected to confidence in God s power and God s plan? In the latter part of this section of Scripture, the tone of the prayer takes on noticeable boldness, but not because of the grand ability of those praying. Rather, their confidence in God to inform their speech and define their actions and empower them to love as He has loved them compelled them to keep proclaiming the good news with boldness. Their trust was unshaken as the place where they prayed shook, and the Spirit emboldened them to stay on their appointed mission. 136 Leader Guide Fall 2014

11 This confidence in God s power rather than confidence in themselves was grounded in their understanding of the One to whom they belonged. Verse 29 said, Grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. Notice what they called themselves servants. In no way were they contradicting the teaching of the One whom they followed, the One who declared His followers to be friends and no longer slaves (John 15:12-15). Instead, they were professing their surrender to the Master whose mission to them had so affected them that now they were more than willing to serve on that mission with Him. How would considering yourself a servant to God s mission affect the way you live out your relationship with Jesus? How would being His servant affect your boldness on mission? Conclusion Whose we are is more significant than who we are. Whose we are defines our identity. Whose we are shapes our priorities. Whose we are determines our activity. Whose we are strengthens our security. Whose we are transforms intimidation and threats into initiative and mission. We are emboldened because of Whose we are. May our lives on mission together as His church display the near and present kingdom of God! May we learn from the example of the early disciples how to share and show the love of God by boldly and graciously proclaiming the gospel and ministering to those in need! May we be reminded that the message of the kingdom spreads through bold messengers who make known the love of Jesus and the hope of His resurrection! May we come to be known as a people who have been with Jesus! Voices from Church History The Church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God. It is not a divine afterthought. It is not an accident of history. On the contrary, the church is God s new community. 12 John Stott ( ) Voices from the Church The church is not the kingdom of God. It is an instrument, or entity, within the kingdom. It is incumbent upon us, therefore, that we understand who we are and assume the role of servant for the kingdom of God. 13 Lance Ford and Brad Brisco Hymn of Response We gather together to ask the Lord s blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing: Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning: Thou, Lord, wast at our side the glory be Thine! We all do extol Thee, Thou leader in battle, And pray that Thou still our defender wilt be. Let Thy congregation escape tribulation: Thy name be ever praised; O Lord, make us free! 137

12 Additional Resources Kingdom Proclamation References 1. Ed Stetzer, Preach the Gospel. And Since It s Necessary, Use Words, Christianity Today [online], 25 June 2012 [cited 17 January 2013]. Available from the Internet: 2. Stanley E. Porter, HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 1867, n. 4:5-7; n. 4:9-10; n. 4:11; n. 4: Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary (Downers Grove: IVP, 1993), 332, n. 4:2. 4. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, quoted in Acts, ed. Francis Martin, vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2006), Jonathan Leeman, The Church and the Surprising Offense of God s Love (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), John B. Polhill, Acts, vol. 26 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 1992), Bede, Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, quoted in Acts, ed. Francis Martin, vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament, Pat Hood, The Sending Church (Nashville: B&H, 2013), Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola, Jesus Manifesto (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010), Stanley E. Porter, HCSB Study Bible, 1868, n. 4:24-28; n. 4:29; n. 4: Arator, On the Acts of the Apostles, quoted in Acts, ed. Francis Martin, vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament, John Stott, The Living Church (Nottingham, UK: Monarch, 2005), Lance Ford and Brad Brisco, Missional Essentials (Kansas City: House Studio, 2012), Rick Howerton, Is Your Small Group on Mission or Missional? LifeWay.com [online], 17 December 2009 [cited 24 March 2014]. Available from the Internet: For helps on how to get started using The Gospel Project, ideas on how to better lead groups, or additional ideas for leading a specific session, visit: Study Material -- Am I Actually Living Sent? Chapter 12 from Live Sent by Jason Dukes -- The Outbreak of Persecution Chapter 3 from The Message of Acts by John Stott -- Go-ology Chapter 8 from The Sending Church by Pat Hood -- Preach the Gospel, and Since It s Necessary, Use Words Article by Ed Stetzer; find a link to this article at gospelproject.com/additionalresources --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including Who Were the Sadducees? can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. Sermon Podcast Jason Lee: A Prayer for Humble Boldness Kent Hughes: The Bliss of Persecution Find links to these at gospelproject.com/additionalresources Tip of the Week The Missional Group A small group that is missional is made up of individuals who are constantly on mission, praying for and discussing needs of people at work, in their neighborhoods, and anywhere else. And God inspires them with ideas to meet those needs. As a leader, you can guide your group to become missional by: Modeling missional living by seeing needs, meeting them personally, and then sharing with the group how it blessed you. Bringing missional opportunities to your group and allowing them to join you in ministry. Pointing out to your group members when gathered for Bible study that this is how the early church, and Jesus Himself, lived life. Inviting those transformed through contact with missional people or groups to share their testimonies in your group meetings Leader Guide Fall 2014

13 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Leader Guide ESV Volume 3, Number 1 Fall 2014 Eric Geiger Vice President, Church Resources Ed Stetzer General Editor Trevin Wax Managing Editor Daniel Davis Content Editor Josh Hayes Content and Production Editor Philip Nation Director, Adult Ministry Publishing Faith Whatley Director, Adult Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Unit 1: Kendell Easley is a professor of biblical studies at Union University, in Memphis, Tennessee, and is the director of the Master of Christian Studies and Doctor of Ministry programs for Union s Stephen Olford Center. He has written ongoing curriculum for more than 20 years. Kendell is married to Nancy, and they have one married young adult son. Unit 2: Halim Suh and his wife, Angela, have three kids and live in Austin, Texas, where he is pastor of teaching and theology at The Austin Stone Community Church. He is the author (with Matt Carter) of two Threads studies: Creation Unraveled and Creation Restored. Halim has a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Unit 3: Jason C Dukes is married to Jen, and they have six children. He helped start WestpointChurch.org and ReproducingChurches.com and now pastors First Baptist Church, Booneville, Mississippi. He s the author of Live Sent and Beyond My Church, and he periodically blogs at SENTkids.com. Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Leader Guide ESV (ISSN pending; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. WRITERS