LifeGroup Notes July 4, 2010; Heroes and Villains; Part Two
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~~ TRUE BELIEVERS
Listen my children and you shall hear’ Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five; Hardly a man is now alive,
Who remembers that famous day and year…
…You know the rest. In the books you have read, How the British Regulars fired and fled,—
How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall,
Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load…
Excerpts from “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1860
OVERVIEW: This week we celebrate the American Revolution that resulted in our nations Independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. Many ordinary people found the hero within themselves to stand against the oppressiveness of the Brits. For example, Paul Revere, who 15 months earlier had made his famous midnight ride to warn the revolutionaries of a strategic impending attack. In the war for independence, common people rose heroically and courageously to resist an overpowering enemy.
In his message last weekend, Pastor Terry spoke of the greatest revolution in human history. Jesus started it by laying down his life for others as he ushered in the era promised and prophesied in the Old Testament. From there, He entrusted the future of His Church to the ordinary people he had chosen to follow him during his ministry. He had prepared them “for such a time as this.” These were not extraordinary men, they were common people, like you and me. Ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit and with an extraordinary faith to “take up their cross and follow” Jesus and to be his disciples. As was stated in the message this weekend, Jesus was establishing his Kingdom on earth by appointing a “replacement government.” It was the government of the Kingdom of God, (the Kingdom of Love) and it was led by his chosen disciples and apostles.
“Following Jesus was their emancipation. The Beatitudes were their constitution. Their obedience was their declaration of dependence.” –Pastor Terry
For our discussion this week, let’s look at the life of Stephen in Acts 6-7 and ask ourselves how we can find the hero within and become “revolutionaries” for Christ like the ordinary people of the early church.
DISCUSSION POINTS:
ONE: Read Acts 6:1-6. Notice 1.) how Stephen was equipped: “with faith and the Holy Spirit” and 2.) his attitude… he was willing to “wait on tables (verse 2). What does this tell us about the attributes of a revolutionary in God’s Kingdom?
TWO: Read Acts 6:8-10. Notice that Stephen was full of grace, power and wisdom, and he spoke with boldness. Is it possible for each of us to be equipped with the same? If so, how do we get it? (think of Pastor Terry’s message about being with Jesus. He said, “Being with Jesus means allowing Jesus to be with you. If you make room for Him He will go with you wherever life takes you”). Stephen is not known to have met Jesus personally, but he was known to have been “full of the Holy Spirit.” How does Stephen’s example encourage disciples today? How does his life challenge us in our faith?
THREE: Read Acts 7:54-60. How does Stephen’s response to his terrifying circumstances demonstrate his intense faith in God? How does his response remind us of Jesus’ in his time of suffering? What does it speak to us about counting the cost and being willing to pay the price?
TAKE AWAY: In your devotional time this week, prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can become a revolutionary for His cause in the earth. Then, read Chapters 5-7 in the book of Matthew to seek your answers.
MINISTRY TIME