LifeGroup Notes July 11, 2010; Heroes and Villains; Part Three
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~~BOLDNESS
OVERVIEW: Remember the beatitude where Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”? It’s easy to get the wrong impression of “meek.” For us to get a perspective on how boldness accompanies meekness, think of the children of Israel, how they were humbled in the wilderness on the way to inherit the promised land? Remember how this meek people finally “inherited” the land. They inherited the promise by boldly stepping forward and taking possession of the land that God had given to them. It was their meekness that positioned them to receive an inheritance. It was their boldness that led them to finally step out and take what was being offered to the meek.
As we look at the early church in the book of Acts, discuss the following points in your groups about what boldness looks like in our walk of faith.
DISSCUSSION POINTS:
ONE: Boldness enables you to WALK IN what He has already WORKED OUT:
Read Acts 17:24-28.
Read verse 26 again. How does knowing that God has already worked out the times and places we will live give us courage to live lives of boldness, pursuing Him into our future?
Read (Eph 2:10) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
What does boldness have to do with us walking in the good things that God has prepared for us before hand?
TWO: Boldness enables you to FACE what you can not FIX:
Read Acts 5:40-42
This account in Chapter 5 was the third time the disciples had been arrested. Notice in verse 41 why they were rejoicing. Talk about what this statement says about the foundation of their boldness, as they refused to allow the their circumstances to stop them from shining their light for Christ.
THREE: Boldness enables you to OPERATE in the midst of OPPOSITION:
“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” —Acts 4:13
Talk about how the boldness of Peter and John caused people to recognize they had been with Jesus. How can our boldness cause people recognize that we have been with Jesus?
Read Numbers 13:25-31
Contrast Caleb and Joshua’s response with the response of the other spies. Talk about how it often seems that God takes us to a place where our boldness of faith is tested before he grants us what he is leading us into.
TAKING ACTION: In prayer this week, evaluate what you believe God has been speaking to you about what he desires to do in your life… then ask yourself, am I boldly pursuing it? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the courageous steps you need to take in order to take possession of your promised land.
MINISTRY TIME