Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Take time to catch up on the past week (over drinks or snacks if possible). Then ask group members to:
- Share a story of a time when you ended up somewhere you didn’t expect.
Over this term, we’re exploring the theme of moving. Many of us will have changes and moves ahead: this series allows us to look to God’s word for wisdom.
Ask for a volunteer to read Acts 8:1-8 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know God, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.
Watch
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Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)
This passage follows the stoning of Stephen, a prominent leader in the early church. After his murder, Luke records that ‘a great persecution broke out against the church’. The early believers are forced to leave Jerusalem and are scattered.
- What effects might the scattering of the church have had on ordinary Christians forced to leave Jerusalem? (verses 1-3)
- What do you think the members of the church might have thought and felt as they fled?
- According to verse 4, what effect did persecution have on the early believers? What does this tell us about their faith?
- Philip had not been one of the church’s main preachers in Jerusalem. What new things does he experience whilst he’s on the run? (verses 5-8)
- Read Acts 1:8. What are the connections between Jesus’ words and the events of Acts 8?
Across the world, there are many Christians who are currently on the move because of persecution.
- If you met a Christian displaced by persecution, how might Acts 8 shape how you’d relate to them?
The ‘Philip’ we read about here is not the Apostle Philip, but a different man entirely. This Philip was one of seven ‘deacons’ appointed to help the apostles serve with practical jobs in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5), including the distribution of food to widows. Philip probably did not have a public preaching ministry before the occasion we read about here in Acts 8.
Now, with the apostles remaining in Jerusalem, Philip and others like him seem to have taken a ministry of public evangelism upon themselves. Later on, Philip settled in Caesarea where – some 25 years later – he and his daughters offered hospitality to Paul (Acts 21:8-9).
Samaria was a region to the north of Jerusalem and Judea, between Judea and Galilee. Those who lived there were descendants of spiritually corrupt Israelites who had intermarried with foreigners who worshipped other gods. They had created a religion that the Jews considered heretical.
For this reason, Jews viewed Samaritans as impure and unclean. This led to a deep hatred between the two groups. It makes Philip’s preaching to the Samaritans even more remarkable.
Impacting Our Hearts (15 minutes)
One in seven Christians worldwide face persecution because of their faith. Millions of people choose to follow Jesus, despite knowing that they may have to sacrifice their home, their freedom, their job – even their life.
Open Doors tell the story of Nabi, a Christian woman forced to leave Afghanistan after the Taliban retook power in 2021. If you like, you can watch her story here (2 minutes):
- Why do you think people like Nabi still choose to follow Jesus, despite all it costs them?
Nabi’s ultimate hope is an eternal home with Jesus. We share this hope of a future home.
- How might this hope change the way we live when we don’t feel at home in this world?
Impacting the University (10 minutes)
Ask each group member to take out their phone and follow @ifesworld on Instagram.
This account features weekly updates from Christian Union movements across the world, and often includes stories of students facing persecution.
Split into pairs and threes, and spend time in prayer. Encourage those who are less used to praying that we are simply talking to God about our concerns. You might like to pray:
- For Nabi (see above), her family and others you have read about through the IFES Instagram account
- For students in your CU who are being opposed – perhaps in their home country, by their family, or amongst their friendship group on campus
- For courage to share Jesus wherever you find yourself this week.
Pray that each of them would remain faithful to Jesus whatever they are facing. Pray too for your own present needs.
Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮
- Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
- Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
- Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
- Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
- See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or hanging out socially in the meantime!