Edgewood Bible Church

Big idea: There is no greater altar and sacrifice than Jesus himself — so live sacrificial lives of praise.
1. Care for others because Christ will always care for you (v.1-6) 2. Remember the faithful because Christ never changes (v-7-8)3. Offer sacrifices of praise at the altar of Christ (v.9-19)
Discussion Questions:1. Hebrews 13 starts with practical commands: love one another, show hospitality, remember prisoners, honor marriage, and be content. Which of these areas is most challenging for you right now, and how might it become a “sacrifice of praise” to God?2.  How does God’s faithful presence free us from fear, greed, self-protection, or people-pleasing?3.  Who has modeled faithfulness for you, and what part of their life would you want to imitate?4.  Why is the unchanging nature of Jesus such a comfort in a world where circumstances, people, culture, and even leaders can change or fail?5. What might it look like today to bear the reproach of Christ and seek the city to come?

Big Idea: Jesus transforms His followers into friends —and this fuels them to close and sacrificial friendships with one another. 1. Friends love sacrificially, not selectively (vv. 12–13)2. Friends obey out of intimacy, not duty (vv. 14–15) 3. Friends abide in Christ and bear fruit that remains (vv. 16–17)

Main idea:  Jesus advances His unstoppable gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth through His Spirit-empowered church.
1. The Church is Spirit-filled - Acts 1-22. The Church is Scattered - Acts 3-123. The Church is Sent - Acts 13-28 
Discussion Questions:1. Why is it important that the church was filled before it was scattered?2. Why is comfort sometimes more dangerous to the church than persecution?3. Is there someone in your life whom you may have quietly assumed is “too far gone” for the gospel?4. Why is the resurrection central to Christianity?

Big Idea: Face every obstacle to sharing your testimony by receiving what God has already provided in Christ. 1. When facing threats–receive His credibility (1-10)2. When the road is long–receive His community (11-28)3. When you are imprisoned–receive His kingdom (29-31)
Discusion Questions: 1. How do you personally struggle with feeling “not credible enough” to share your faith—and how does this passage reframe where true credibility comes from?
2. What obstacles in your life currently make sharing your testimony difficult, and how might God actually be using those very circumstances as opportunities?
3. Why do you think God designed Christian community as a key source of courage for mission, and what would it look like for you to more intentionally give and receive that kind of encouragement?
4. How does this passage challenge the way you measure “success” in sharing the gospel, and what would it look like to prioritize faithfulness over outcomes?

Main idea:  Because God’s Word is sovereign, the shipwreck of our circumstances cannot cause the failure of His promises.
1. The Folly of Human Wisdom (vv. 1–12)2. The Fragility of Human Hope (vv. 13–20)3. The Firmness of God’s Word (vv. 21–26)4. The Faithfulness of God's Providence (vv. 27–44)
Discussion Questions:1. How do you typically discern whether an opportunity is from God or just “a gentle breeze”? What does it practically look like to let God’s Word and God’s people speak into your decisions?2. What promises of God do you find hardest to trust when life feels chaotic?3. What might “lifeboats” of self-reliance, control, or self-righteousness look like in your life?4. “Providence does not mean the ship won’t break; it means the Savior won’t let go.” How does that reframe suffering for a Christian?

Main idea: The Gospel is a "public truth" for a private world, so faithfully declare it!
1. Know your audience2. Share your conversion3. Challenge your listener
Discussion Questions:1. Why is it easier to talk about the weather over a fence than the Resurrection with our neighbor?2. How does the phrase "this was not done in a corner" (v. 26) change how you view the Gospel?3. Who is the "Agrippa" in your life—someone who knows the facts but hasn't made a decision?4. If we really live like Jesus is alive, what is the first thing in our schedule that should change?

Big Idea: When faced with messy means, remember God’s unstoppable promise in Christ.
1. An ambush that declares Paul innocent2. An appeal that sends Paul to Rome3. An accusation that places Paul before a king4. An authority that points to the ultimate One
Discussion Questions: 1. When have you experienced a season where God’s plan felt confusing or frustrating?2. What does Paul’s example teach us about faithfulness in long seasons of waiting?3. Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter so much in this chapter, and why does it still matter so much for us?4. How can we tell when we are fearing people or circumstances more than trusting Christ?5. How can our group help one another remember God’s promises when life feels messy?

Main idea: The broken seal of the Resurrection leaves no room for neutrality; we either sacrifice everything in worship or spend everything on a lie.
1. The Useless Strategy2. The Sovereign Shaking3. The Costly Suppression

Main idea:  Jesus confronts our misplaced expectations by revealing Himself as a very different kind of King
1. A Humble King We Didn’t Expect (vv. 1–11)2. A Holy King Who Disrupts the Religious (vv. 12–13)3. A Merciful King Who Welcomes the Lowly (vv. 14–17)
Discussion Questions:1. What is the disconnect between who Jesus is revealing Himself to be and what the crowd expects Him to do?2. In what ways are we tempted to create a version of Jesus who fits our own expectations or desires?3. When you first came to Christ, what did you expect Him to do in your life? How has that changed?4. What would it look like for you this week to “crown Him” as King in a specific area of your life?

Main idea:  The gospel may be distorted and debated, but the real danger is delaying your response to it.
1. Distorting the Threat (vv. 1–9)2. Defining the Threat (vv. 10–21)3. Delaying the Threat (vv. 22–27)
Discussion Questions:1. Why do you think the Jewish leaders described Paul as a “plague” and a “ringleader”? What does that reveal about how people misidentify threats?2. How does the principle of conscience vs. reputation apply to Christian living in the workplace, family, or society?3. In what ways do we sometimes act like Felix—recognizing the truth but putting off repentance or obedience?4. Are there areas in your life where you are carrying a “low-grade fever” of guilt, trying to prove yourself? How does Christ’s finished work free you from that burden?