HOME GUIDE | JULY 12,2020

HOME GUIDE | JULY 12,2020
SUMMARY | A CHURCH ON MISSION PRAYS FOR BOLDNESS AND SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE

Explaining the supernatural (not of this world) is difficult to do when we really don’t have the right words or settings to solidify.  Fact checking is very important, especially in the age of digital manipulation.  In Acts 3 - 4 we read about a supernatural healing that took place in front of many people.  Supernatural in simple terms is something not of this world. Something we can’t quite explain why or what happened.   As the writer of Acts tell the story he is leaning on the facts of the situation.  Peter and John’s healing of the man has caused a stir among Jerusalem but that is not the only thing causing the stir yet, it's the boldness of Peter and John.  Take a few moments to read Acts chapter 4 and discuss the setting with one another. 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS | 

1. [Children] Activity: Have the children draw what comes to mind throughout today’s discussion.  Help them use their words to describe what GOD is doing in this storyline.   Here is the link to a video that can help with today’s lesson; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQTFNyctPVU .
2. [Teens - Adults] What’s standing out at the moment from today’s reading? What questions come to mind? 
3. [Children - Adults] In your own words what does it mean to be a BOLD disciple/follower of Jesus?  What might that look like at home, work, in a relationship or at school?
4. [Teens - Adults] It’s easy to imagine the tension that was happening in Acts 4. Notice vs 5 - 9 how Peter addresses the crown and keeps the discussion on point.  He spoke scripture to them and then in vs 13 they noticed that Peter and John were not highly educated.  Can you think of other stories in the Bible where God used people that were not ‘gifted’ with education and talent to spread his message? Try and name three. 
5. [Teens - Adults] After the interaction with the ruling counsels, Peter and John refused to do what they directed them to do. They were not going to keep quiet about Jesus or the message the Holy Spirit wanted them to communicate.  After this situation, where did they go, who did they speak with and what was the outcome?  (Verse 23- 31)    Discuss how this story empowers us to go and do? 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS | Family Activity from last week
[Children - Adults] For several weeks now we have encouraged a family prayer board. How is that going?   Here is what that looks like: Find a blank piece of paper or a whiteboard, go around the room asking about any concerns or thanksgivings before a time of Prayer.   Leave this paper where you can see it all week, discuss them everyday and see where God might be working in them. [Deu 6]
Additional Resource | Mission and Vision of the West Side Church of Christ: https://www.westsidear.org/mission-and-vision.html