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When Jesus Asks You To Move (Acts 13:1-5)

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 discuss:

  • Where’s the furthest you’ve travelled from home?
  • What was difficult about being in a different place or culture?

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 13:1-5 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.

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Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. The leadership of the church in Antioch clearly reflected the city’s own ethnic and cultural diversity (see verse 1).

  • Imagine the mix of people in this church. What might it have felt like to be part of it?
  • Just before the Holy Spirit addresses the church’s leaders, they are worshipping the Lord and fasting (verse 2). Why do you think Luke shares this detail?
  • God addresses the church’s entire leadership team and not just Barnabas and Saul about their next steps (verse 2). Why do you think he does this?
  • How easy do you think it was for Barnabas and Saul to obey the Holy Spirit’s command? What about the church in Antioch?
  • The church in Antioch was multi-ethnic and was committed to sending the gospel to new places. How do you think these two things were connected?

Jesus’ desire is that his good news crosses boundaries (see Acts 1:8). To this end, he keeps stirring up Christians to move out of their comfort zones.

  • How did you first hear Jesus’ good news? Who stepped out of their comfort zone for you?

Luke simply says in verse 2, “the Holy Spirit said.” He doesn’t say how the Spirit spoke, only that the leaders of the church in Antioch were sure that they had heard his voice. Perhaps the contexts suggests that the Holy Spirit gave his message through one or more of the prophets in the church.

Virtually all Christians agree that the primary ways God speaks today is through his Spirit-authored Bible, and as we pray and receive the sacraments (baptism and communion). Hebrews 1:2 describes Jesus as God’s ultimate revelation; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that in the Bible we have everything we need from God. We hear from God in the exactly the same way faithful Christians have for nearly two thousand years.

Nevertheless, the New Testament paints a picture of a community where people also hear from God through prophecy, other languages, words of knowledge and so on.

Christians disagree as to whether (and how commonly) God uses these means today. Whilst prophesies and visions are common in some churches, others believe that opening the door to these kinds of revelations runs the risk of God’s people being taken in by messages that aren’t from him.

Andrew Wilson is one of those who believes that the Holy Spirit continues to speak in means alongside the Bible – but he cautions that we must test that what we’re hearing really is from God:

  • Checking what we’re hearing against what the Spirit has already said in the Bible
  • Checking it against what we know of God’s character
  • Talking to leaders in our churches about it
  • Weighing what we’ve heard in our local churches
  • Considering the effect or ‘fruit’ of what we think God is saying.

Though fasting is never commanded in the New Testament, Jesus clearly expected that his people would fast (see Matthew 6:16-18). In the centuries since, Christians have found that denying themselves food provides an opportunity to test their thoughts and desires against God’s. It also provides them with extra time to pray. Many find that prayer and fasting are particularly suitable in a time of decision-making or crisis.

Here in Acts 13, it’s noteworthy that fasting is associated with corporate worship, suggesting that the leaders in Antioch were particularly wanting to realign themselves with God. They are also well placed to make what will be a costly decision to them.

The article Fasting for Beginners offers advice for those wanting to think more about fasting.

Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)

Just like in the days of Acts 13, Jesus still stirs up his people to be on the move.

  • Is there another part of the world (or the UK) that you feel a connection with, pray for regularly or just find fascinating?
  • Might the Holy Spirit be stirring you to one day serve in this place? If so, who might help you test this hunch?
  • If you’re not currently drawn to serve Jesus elsewhere, how can you stand with others as they discern their own sense of calling?

Impacting the University (15 minutes)

It’s not wrong for followers of Jesus to live and speak among those who are similar to them (such as those from their own country or ethnic background). But members of healthy CUs are also concerned to offer friendship and hope beyond their own cultural comfort zones.

  • What’s the ethnic and cultural make-up of those in your Impact Group (or CU)? How does it compare to the university as a whole?
  • What unspoken expectations within your Impact Group (or CU) might be barriers for new people or those exploring faith? Where might it feel hard for students in a minority to join in?
  • What might it look like for you all to follow a God who’s on the move inter-culturally?
  • How could you help students from a broader range of cultures feel like they belong in your Impact Group (or CU)?

You will have plenty to pray about as a result of today’s session. Pray together for what’s especially on your heart.

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!