Opening
Icebreaker: If you can get an hour back from last week and re-experience it, what would it be?
Worship
How was your bible reading in the last 2 weeks, share something from your readings with the group!
Word
Acts 11:19-21 NIV
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 13:1-3 NIV
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas,Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herodthe tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Discussion
Sermon Review
- Core theme: We are called to be a spiritual and missional community
- Main Takeaway: Practice discernment and become a sending community. Be spiritual companions to those around us to become more Christlike.
- Sermon Review questions:
- What are the common pitfalls of our discipleship approach? (head, heart, hand)?
- How did the people of Antioch come to be known as Christians?
- Discussion Questions:
- Introductory
- Testimony Sharing:
- How did you come to be a part of GCGC and this cell? Do you see God’s hand in this?
- Testimony Sharing:
- Exploratory (4-6 people)
- Who was/is your spiritual companion?
- Who are you a spiritual companion to?
- What are the needs of our time?
- What do you think is the most pressing needs in the communities and people around us?
- In Depth (2/3 people)
- What do you see in others?
- God’s grace and their likeness to Christ
- How “good” they are? (Superficially)
- How is God call you to be missional?
- What is God call you to offer up for his Kingdom?
- What do you see in others?
- Introductory
Witness
- Urbana: Are you a young adult interested in missions and discovering God’s plan and purpose for you? Join the team going to Urbana this year and reach out to Pastor Santos for more details!
- Thanksgiving Event: Dinner at Church on October 10th 6:30 – 9:30 pm
- Sign up for the Thanksgiving event here via this Form
- Help Needed for Adult Zone:
- Administration – Help organize zone wide information
- Cell Planners – help review sermons and create biweekly cell plans!
- Bible Reading:
- This year, we will be going through a 2 year bible reading plan together. Access to plan at gcgcny.link/readbible. Use this to share regularly in your cell about what you’re hearing from God.
- More details to come via Sunday announcements
- Prayer and Outreach
- New Outreach Chat to invite others along when you are looking to do something with friends
- Establish prayer partner rotations