CONNECT: What is one story of the Bible that you could know better in order for you to be better prepared to share the Good News?

WARM-UP  Questions

1. Are you ever in danger of seeing God simply as a means to get what you want?
2. How have we benefited from the early church being scattered?

READ Acts 8:1-13

1. What are the two main results of Stephen’s stoning? Does this surprise you? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think Luke doesn’t spend a lot of time describing the types of persecution that they endured? What does Luke really want us to take notice of?
3. In the face of severe persecution, do you think this would spur you on in proclamation?
4. Why is it such a significant move that Philip (and the pair of Apostles) go to the Samaritans? 
5. How does this remind us of who the Gospel is for? Do you think we ever arbitrarily limit who we are willing to proclaim the Gospel to? What might help us overcome this?
6. What did Philip actually preach to the Samaritans? How was this confirmed through signs?
7. As people’s attention was commanded by the signs, how did it compel them to believe the message? How did the sign help communicate the message of God’s Kingdom?
8. Why is the news of Jesus and God’s Kingdom inseparable? 
9. Why had the people been ‘following’ Simon? What changed? How is this a conversion?
10. How is becoming a Christian a total conversion and not just something we ‘add in’? How does baptism illustrate this complete change in who we are and what our lives are now about?

READ Acts 8:14-25

1. What was Simon hoping to buy? Why did he want this power?
2. What does Simon’s request show us about the condition of his heart? 
3. Do you think we can ever be more interested in escaping God’s judgment than receiving his pardon?
4. Do you think that we can ever be in danger of bargaining with God or trying to use God to get what we want? Why is this such a perilous position to put ourselves in?

APPLY This Week:  Tomorrow, how are you part of the Gospel going out to the ‘ends of the earth’?

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On Your Frontline This Week: As you plan for Easter (and maybe holidays too), are there opportunities to invite people to consider the claim of Jesus’ death and resurrection?

FOCUS Weekend Away

• As we seek to grow as Disciple Makers, we’re going away for a weekend (May 31 - June 2) to Coolum Beach. This is going to be a great time together, with people of all ages and from all three congregations. As you think about growing in your living out of the Gospel, please prayerfully consider coming along. For more info and to register: stbarts.com.au/focus 

Audio and Video 

• AUDIO: Check out the PROCLAIM talks by Tim Foster, and WORK talks by Sharon Cheung 
• AUDIO: A Movement of Conversions: Simon the Magician  
• AUDIO: “Empty Religious Claims” by Dick Lucas

Other Helpful Books, Articles, and Courses

• “Evangelism in a Skeptical World” by Sam Chan
• “ACTS a Visual Guide” by Kevin Deyong and Chris Ranson (Available in our Library)

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