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Take Courage

Thi Mitsamphanh [Bangkok Campus Teaching Pastor]

Scripture References & Sermon Points

Sermon Takeaway = Take Courage

• Scripture Reference: Hebrews 11:1

• Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:1–2

• Scripture Reference: Acts 6:3

Sermon Point 1: By Faith Do the Small Thing

Quote: “There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord; but few of us are willing to do little things.” – D.L. Moody

• Scripture Reference: Acts 6:8–15

• Scripture Reference: Acts 7:1–2

Sermon Point 2: By Faith Stay Calm Among the Chaos

Sermon Point 3: By Faith We Preach

• Scripture Reference: Acts 7:51–60

Sermon Point 4: By Faith Take Courage

• Scripture Reference: Psalm 73:23–26

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me

The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. Think of a time when you truly put something in God's hands to trust His will and outcome. What was it? How did it turn out? What was it like during the time of waiting for or working out the outcome?

2. Think of a time when you trusted your own understanding instead of God's. What was it? How did it differ from what you believe God’s will was? How did it turn out? 

Into the Bible

The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read Matthew 16:21-23. Looking back at Scripture, it’s easy to spot the errors and arrogance of people. Peter isn’t an exception just because he walked physically with Jesus. Matter of fact he stands out because he was next to the Lord. Peter has a foot-shaped mouth from sticking it in there so much, and this encounter is one of the most notable. But Jesus’ rebuke here isn’t for condemnation but correction. Why do Jesus’ words in this passage seem so harsh? Why is what Peter says here “of man” and not “of God”?

2. Read Galatians 2:11-14. When you read Peter’s epistles, you see a man who has been shaped by the Lord over time into greater maturity. This is the hope for all of us. But Peter’s maturity came through a number of lessons, this being one of them. Paul is recounting a time when he had to reprimand Peter for his actions, which amounted to people pleasing, betraying the grace shown to him time after time by Jesus. How was Paul’s rebuke to Peter (v.14) a show of kindness? 

Application

The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Read Hebrews 11:1. This verse is an excellent definition of faith. What does assurance mean? What does conviction mean? 

2. Read Matthew 25:14-30. Theologian D.L. Moody said, “There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things.” The parable of the talents speaks to the day-to-day living out in faith our role as believers. What are some of the commands Jesus gave to us to do? (Read the article at the link to understand His commands some more: https://www.gotquestions.org/if-you-love-me-keep-my-commandments.html)

3. Read Acts 6:1-7. In order for God to use Stephen on a larger scale, Stephen had to be faithful with the seemingly insignificant tasks that God called him to be obedient to. Stephen was already seen as worthy because he was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”. And because of that faith, he saw any work for the Lord as good. What are some “seemingly insignificant tasks” you could overlook but are necessary in God’s Kingdom? What ways have you experienced or heard of where God uses regular acts for great things?

4. Read Acts 6:8-15. Stephen was not immune to controversy; no believer then really was. He didn’t create trouble out of his will to be controversial but trouble developed because he was obedient to God, Whose will was seen when Stephen exercised the gifts he had been given and speak the truth in grace (see also 1 Peter 3:15). What are ways you can speak the truth with grace to challenges we face in our current times? How do we get better at encouraging one another to face the challenges of the world?

5. Read Acts 7:51-60. Stephen knows that the only hope for his accusers is that they hear the gospel. Even facing death he is trying to help them connect the dots about Jesus and the law. He knows they have no hope unless they have faith and they have no hope of faith unless they hear. Think of the people in your life who do not know the Gospel and the true saving faith of Jesus. How would you tell them about Jesus? How can you prepare to have conversations with them?