Edgewood Bible Church

Big Idea: God strengthens His church through ready and receptive disciples
 
Disciples that strengthen the church are:
1. Ready  (v.18-23)
2. Humble (v.24-26)
3. Receptive (v.27-29)
 
Discussion Questions: 
1. What does Paul’s “strengthening” ministry show us about discipleship?
2. What stands out about how Priscilla and Aquila correct Apollos? How can we apply this in our life? 
3. How can you stay teachable—even if you’re experienced, gifted or knowledgeable?
4. What do verses 27-28 teach us about churches helping and sending each other? How can we better partner with local gospel-preaching ministries?

Main idea:  Christ preserves and advances His mission through ordinary faithfulness sustained by divine assurance.
1. Christ Advances His Mission through Ordinary Faithfulness (v.1–8)2. Christ Strengthens His Servants through Divine Assurance (v. 9–11)3. Christ Preserves His Mission through Quiet Providence (v. 12–17)
Discussion Questions:1. What are “ordinary means” God uses to grow Christians and build churches? Which one do you most neglect when you’re tired?2. In vv.9–11, list the commands Jesus gives and the promises He attaches. Why do you think Jesus pairs them that way?3. In Acts 18, Gallio isn’t a hero, and the government isn’t ultimate. What’s a healthy way to relate to civil authorities without putting your hope in them?4. Alvin York “settled obedience before the crisis.” What does it look like for a Christian to settle obedience ahead of time? Where do you need to settle it right now?

Big Idea: With heartfelt concern, we persuade and teach people to turn from idols to the living God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1. The Resurrection of Jesus exposes the emptiness of idolatry (16-21)2. The Resurrection of Jesus commands all people to repent (22-31)The Resurrection of Jesus demands a response (32-34) 
Discussion Questions: 
1. Do you agree that there are no truly non-religious people, only different devotions? What are some “respectable” idols in our culture or church context?
2. The Epicureans sought pleasure; the Stoics sought control. When life gets hard, which do you tend to rely on more—and why?
3. The resurrection exposes idols because they cannot deal with death or judgment. What are common substitutes people trust instead of God, and where do they fall short?
4. Acts 17 ends with mocking, delaying, or believing.   Which response do you most identify with right now, and what would real belief look like this week?

Main idea:  Division comes when God’s Word reveals Jesus as King and calls us to pledge our allegiance to Him alone.
1. The Word persuades us that Jesus is the Christ (1-4)2. The Word provokes hostility and distortion (5-9)3. The Word produces discernment and faith (10-15)
Discussion Questions:1. Luke says Paul reasoned, explained, and proved from the Scriptures. What does this tell us about how God normally brings people to faith?2. When you hear the word “allegiance,” what comes to mind? How is allegiance different from preference or opinion?3. Why does Luke call the Bereans “noble”? What made their response different from the Thessalonians?4. How does the Lord’s Supper function as a public declaration of allegiance to King Jesus?

Big Idea: Made new in Christ, we are all ambassadors of His reconciliation. 
 
Must I evangelize? 
1. Yes, God has made you new (v.17) 
2. Yes, God Gave you a ministry (v.18-19)
3. Yes, God appeals through you (v.20-21)
 
Discussion Questions:
1. What stands out about what God does in reconciliation (who acts first, what He provides, what He doesn’t count), and why does that matter for your confidence?
2. What is “the message of reconciliation,” especially v.21 (the great exchange)? 
3. Where are you tempted to be vague/quiet about Jesus (an “ambassador with no appeal”)? What would faithful clarity and love look like this week?
4. Who is one person God has put in your life to “implore…be reconciled to God”? 
 

Main idea: God’s people should remember and celebrate God’s greatness.
1. Remember what the Lord has done2. Rejoice in what the Lord has given3. Rehearse the story of the Lord’s Greatness
Discussion Questions1. When you look back on your own life, why do you think gratitude tends to fade even after clear answers to prayer or seasons of deliverance?2. Where in your own life are you most tempted to interpret present circumstances without reference to God’s past faithfulness?3. What would it look like for your celebration of Christmas to be more intentionally God-centered?4. What is one practical way you could “write it down” or mark God’s faithfulness this year?

Main idea:  When God appears silent, His justice is still sure, His mercy still greater, and His final reversal is coming.
1. The Faithfulness of God and the Certainty of His Justice2. The Difference Between Justice and Vengeance3. The Greater Reversal and the Joy That Follows
Discussion Questions:1. Why is it important that God’s faithfulness and justice are inseparable? What happens to our faith if we emphasize one without the other?2. Sin has momentum—it travels through generations. What warning does that give us about the “small compromises” we are tempted to excuse?3. Tim Keller’s line: “Joy is not denial; it is defiance.” How does that definition reshape what Christian joy looks like in suffering?4. What dangers arise when joy is rooted in circumstances rather than in Christ’s finished work?

Main idea:  God’s great reversal in Esther points to the greater reversal of the gospel: death becomes life, shame becomes honor, ruin becomes rejoicing.
What was meant for death brings lifeWhat was meant for shame brings honorWhat was meant for ruin brings rejoicing
Discussion questions1. Do you find yourself more concerned about maintaining relational peace than speaking of Christ? Why?2. If someone asked you how Christ reversed your life, what would you say?3. Mordecai goes from sackcloth to royal robes.How does that picture help you understand your position in Christ?4. God didn’t erase the Persian system; He overruled it.How does this encourage you when you see broken systems today — in government, workplace, family?

Text:  Psalm 91
Big Idea: Because God Himself is our refuge, we can trust Him to protect and provide for us in every trouble.1. The blessing of confidence: God will protect and cover you2. The blessing of covenant: God will guard you in all your ways. 3. The blessing of comfort: God will satisfy you and show His salvation.
Psalm 91 — Discussion Questions
1. What does it practically mean to “dwell in the shelter of the Most High”? How does trusting God as your refuge change how you face fear?
2. Psalm 91 says we will face real danger — yet we need not fear (vv. 5–7).How can faith reorder our fears when threats feel overwhelming?
3. How does Jesus’ response to Satan (Matt. 4:5–7) help us interpret promises like vv. 11–12 without twisting them? What does true trust look like?
4. Where do you go for “refuge” besides God? What would it look like this week to run to Him first for protection, provision, and comfort?

Main idea:  God overturns human evil through His sovereign providence, the intercession of His mediator, and justice that secures His people’s salvation.
God’s Providence Sets the Stage (6:1–14)God’s Mediator Identifies with the Condemned (7:1–6)God’s Justice Secures His People’s Salvation (7:7–10)
Discussion Questions:1. Anxiety often comes from believing we must control everything. How does recognizing God’s providence help us respond to fear or worry about circumstances beyond our control?2. God’s timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed or hidden. How do we cultivate patience and trust in God’s timing, especially when the results of His providence are not yet visible?3. How does Esther’s courage and identification with her people point to Jesus’ work as our mediator? How does seeing Christ as fully identifying with sinners deepen your understanding of the gospel?