Acts 20:17-38
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This is the eighth week in our series on Acts and the Early Church. This sermon is called "Proclaimed Good News"
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
Connect Is there any area of your life in which you think you need to grow as a living sacrifice?
Warm-Up
- What are some of your favourite topics (not Gospel-related!) that you love to tell people about? Why do you love to tell people and what makes it easy to share?
- Who have you known who has been a great example of proclaiming the Gospel with their life: in Word and/or example?
Read Acts 20:17-21
- Where is Paul and where is he going next?
- What does Paul remind the Ephesians about his life and ministry among them? Why do you think he emphasises the way that he lived with humility, tears, and trials?
- What does it mean to be humble? Is it possible to be humble and profess that you are humble?
- How could our lives be marked more by humility and sacrifice rather than pride and comfort?
- What has Paul not hesitated to do? What has been at the heart of his message?
- Why does Paul stress repentance and faith in Jesus? What does he mean by both of these terms?
- Do we share this same message? Who on your frontlines would you love to receive this good news?
Read Acts 20:22-24
- Why now is Paul leaving? Who is he compelled by? Does he know what is going to happen?
- How do you feel when God leads you but you don’t know all of the details? What helps you to obey?
- What did Paul know would happen? What was his only aim? Do you share this aim, too?
Read Acts 20:25-38
- What does Paul mean by his declaration of innocence? Why do you think he said this?
- What does Paul instruct the people to do in his absence? How do we help one another to tend the flock?
- In Paul’s absence, how will the people be under threat? How should we also be on guard against distortions of the Gospel message?
- What words of Jesus does Paul quote? How have you known this to be true? How could you grow in this?
- In what way have you experienced the rich fellowship that Paul expresses here? How do you think we can all be part of nurturing the community of believers with love?
Apply Pray for one opportunity to share the Good News—or invite someone to Alpha—this week.
Prayer
Gracious Father, we thank you for the faithful proclamation of the Gospel—through Word and example— throughout the centuries. Please help us to testify to the beauty and reality of God’s grace through every aspect of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline this Week
Who needs to hear the good news in your everyday context? How will you witness to them this week?
For Families
- Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read
- Listen (sermon): “The Gospel Ministry” by Tim Keller:
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-gospel-ministry/ - Listen (sermon): “Heartbeat of a Pastor” by John Stott:
https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=50322 - Listen (sermon): “Paul to the Ephesian Elders” by Al Gibbs:
https://stebbes.org/sermons/paul-to-the-ephesian-elders/#sermons - Listen (sermon): “Ministry that Lasts” by William Taylor:
https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/51809/
Series Resources
- Read (book): “Strange Religion” by Nijay Gupta. 📚
- Read (commentary): “The Challenge of Acts” by Tom Wright. 📚
- Read (book): “Why the Gospel” by Matthew Bates.
- Read (advanced commentary): “Acts: Witnesses to Him” by Bruce Milne.
📚 Available to borrow in the Church library
