Edgewood Bible Church

Main Idea:  The gospel does not advance in comfort, but through costly obedience.
1. Courageous Preaching and Mistreatment (v.1–7)2. Confirmed Power and Misplaced worship (v.8–18)3. Constant Perseverance and Making disciples (v.19–28)
Discussion Questions:1. What encouragement can we take from knowing that the gospel itself—not our eloquence—is what God uses to save people?2. Why was Paul and Barnabas’ response (tearing their clothes, emphatically refusing worship) so important? What danger would there have been if they had passively allowed it?3. Why do you think so many Christians (especially in the West) are surprised when faith is costly?4. How does God use trials to strengthen His church, and how can we encourage one another to endure faithfully until we see Christ?

Main idea:  The gospel divides but it also multiplies
The Gospel Proclaimed (13-41)The Gospel Divides (42-45)The Gospel Advances (46-52)
Discussion Questions:1. What does Paul emphasize by retelling Israel’s history before pointing to Jesus?2. Paul ends with both a promise of forgiveness and a warning. How should we respond when we hear the gospel?3. Why do you think opposition to the gospel is often stirred up, even when the message brings joy and life to others?4. How can we hold on to joy in Christ when our circumstances are hard or when people resist the gospel?

The guest preacher is Bryan Winchester from Saving Grace Church in Milwaukie, OR

BIG IDEA: The Holy Spirit Makes Straight the Way to the Lord
1. Look to the Holy Spirit to Send
2. Look to the Holy Spirit to Speak
 
Discussion Questions 
1. How should we make  significant ministry or life decisions today? How might we be tempted to skip this step?
2. What are some practical signs that apathy has set into our walk with God? How can fasting, prayer, and community help revive our zeal for Him?
3. What are some ways we can train ourselves to recognize and obey the “voice” of the Holy Spirit through Scripture and godly counsel, especially when the path ahead is confusing?
4. What are some modern “Elymas”-like influences that oppose the gospel today, and how should the church respond to such deception?
5. How does this passage challenge our tendency to elevate a few “superstars” in ministry rather than value the role of the whole body?
 

Big Idea: Trust in the word of God not in the word of man1. Pray when the word of man suppresses God’s word.  (v.1-5)2. Remember his word and wait expectantly (v.6-17)3. Trust in the word of God, not man (v.18-24) 
Discussion Questions: 1. It is likely the early church prayed before James was executed, yet he was still killed. How might we avoid hopelessness in our prayer in the face of disappointment?
2. Rhoda believes; the prayer meeting doubts. Why is it sometimes hardest to recognize God’s intervention when we’re in the middle of pleading for it? 
3. What practical indicators help us discern when we’re seeking God’s glory versus our own? How can we cultivate humility that resists the subtle pull of self-exaltation?
4. Where have you seen God advance His gospel despite opposition—globally, locally, or personally? In light of that track record, what specific step of faith or obedience is He calling you to take this week?

Big Idea: God’s grace grants life, gives time, and gathers generosity. 
God’s grace grants life (1-18)God’s grace gifts time (19-26)God’s grace gathers generosity (27-30)
Discussion questions 
1. How has God personally shown His generosity to you—whether in creation, the Word, salvation, or the church—and how does that shape your worship and life. 
2. Peter said, “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17). Have there been times when your assumptions or traditions got in the way of sharing God’s grace with others?
3. In what ways can you, like Barnabas and Saul, give the gift of time to help others grow in faith? Who has done that for you?
4. What needs—spiritual, physical, or emotional—do you see around you, and how can you take part in “seeing needs and meeting them” as the Antioch church did?

Main idea:  Our prejudices will not stop an unstoppable Gospel from going to all people
1. The Setup: God’s Sovereign Initiative2. The Encounter: Gospel proclaimed without prejudice3. The Implication: The church must GO to all people 
Discussion Questions:1. What does Peter’s vision reveal about God’s attitude toward Gentiles and the future of the gospel?2. Why is it significant that Peter was hungry during the vision?3. How might we today, like Peter, “bundle up whole groups of people” into the metaphorical unclean sheet?4. When was the last time you intentionally shared a meal or had a meaningful gospel conversation with someone different from you culturally, politically, or economically?

Main idea: Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit brings Gospel growth.
1. The Persecution of Saul2. The Ministry of Peter

Main idea: God sovereignly sets the assignment for his servants
God confounds SaulGod calls AnaniasGod converts Saul
Discussion Questions:1. Saul was passionate, disciplined, and sincere—but still wrong. How can we guard ourselves from sincerely following the wrong path?2. What does this story teach us about God's sovereignty and His right to interrupt our lives?3. “Man is God’s method.” How does this statement challenge our thinking about how God spreads the gospel?

Big Idea: Opposition scatters seeds to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 
 
1.  (1-25) Seeds scattered: The good news is scattered through spirit filled proclamation
2. (26-40) Seeds Sprouted: Personal ministry in the word bears fruit
 
Discussion Questions: 
1.How does Saul’s attempt to stamp out the church (8:1-4) end up amplifying the gospel, and where do we see a similar dynamic today?
2.Compare Philip’s Spirit-empowered ministry with Simon’s magic (8:5-13, 18-24). How can we discern and guard against bad motives in our own service?
3.Why do you think God delayed the Spirit’s arrival until Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans, and what does that teach us about church unity across cultural lines?
4.Philip obeys a Spirit nudge that reaches one Ethiopian official—who then carries the gospel toward “the ends of the earth.” Where might God be nudging you to open your mouth or change your route this week?