ICEBREAKER Idea #1: Does anybody know how to do a 180 on a skateboard, snowboard, or wakeboard? How do you do it? Idea #2: What made the difference in these Before/After pictures.
TRANSITION Today we are going to learn how to do a spiritual 180 OR (depending on which icebreaker you chose) we are going to look at some individuals before they encountered the gospel of Christ, and after they encountered the gospel of Christ and the difference it made. And we’ll do that by looking at two very different people in Acts. One is named Saul, and the other is named Paul, lets see what we can learn about these two men.
FILL IN CHART
Saul The Persecutor: • Acts 8:1 consenting unto Stephen’s death • Acts 8:3 made havock of the church, committing members to prison • Acts 9:1 breathing out threatenings and slaughter • Acts 9:2 bring them bound • Acts 9:13 done much evil • Acts 9:14 bind all that call on thy name • Acts 26:9 I ought to do many things contrary to name of Jesus • Acts 26:10 shut up saints in prison, gave consent to their death • Acts 26:11 Punished, compelled to blaspheme, exceedingly • mad, persecuted them
Paul the Preacher • Acts 9:20 Preached Christ in the synagogues • Acts 9:29 Spoke boldly in the name of Christ • Acts 13:9 Filled with the Holy Ghost • Acts 14:8-10 Heals a crippled man • 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 Willing to suffer much for Christ’s name • Map 13 Travels the ancient world as a missionary • Dies a martyr for the church in Rome
Q: What’s the connection between these two men? A: They are the same man. Saul becomes Paul
Q: What does Paul’s transformation teach you?
TRUTH People Can Change Important to know because it brings hope. Hope that others can change, or that we can change.
READ Acts 9:3-9 together.
Q: How do you imagine the tone of voice in Christ’s question in vs. 4? Angry, condemning, soft, pleading, sad, or some other emotion?
Q: What do you think the phrase: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. A: It’s hard to fight against God, you only hurt yourself This is against your true nature
APPLY Q: Do you know anybody like Saul, someone who did a Spiritual 180 in their life? Q: What was their Road to Damascus, or what caused them to change?
READ Acts 9:10-20 Q: What does Ananias teach you about encountering people who are trying to change?
TRUTH Allow people to change, help them to change, strengthen them in their changes.
Q: Why would God choose a Saul to become a “chosen vessel”?
TRUTH God always sees the POTENTIAL, not the PROBLEM
SUMMARIZE ACTS 6 • The church leadership chooses 7 additional leaders to help bear the burden of administration in the church • One of those selected is named Stephen.
ACTS 7-Verses that Stephen uses to show Pharisees Rejection of Prophets
7:25 7:35 7:37 7:39
Then 7:51-53
TRUTH If I reject the prophets of my day, I would have rejected the prophets of the past. However: If you follow and accept the prophet of your own day, you would have accepted the prophets of the past.
ACTS 8:26-40 Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
:36 Wonderful Attitude-“See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized”. Compare to Alma 22:18 18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.
Q: How is Phillip a good example of being an effective minister or missionary?
• 8:26-27 Go where the Lord wants you to go. Be in the right place. • 8:29 Follow the Spirit. • 8:30 Obey quickly and with enthusiasm. • 8:35 Understand the scriptures well enough yourself to help those that don’t understand them. • 8:35 Open your mouth. • 8:39 Realize that missionary work brings indescribable joy, it’s worth it. • 8:40 Keep working. Don’t stop at just one.
COMPARING SIMON TO PETER
From Simon the Fisherman: Sinking in the water (Matt 14:28-32) Get thee behind me Satan (Matt 16:21-24) Could you not watch with me one hour (Matt 26:40-41) Cutting off the ear of the officer in the garden (John 18:10-11) Denying Christ in Caiphas palace (Luke 22:60-62) Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17)
To Peter the Rock: Converts Thousands Acts 2:37-42 Heals the lame man Acts 3:1-11 Testifies boldly to the Sandhedrin Acts 4 Raises Tabitha from the Dead Acts 9:36-42 Takes Gospel to the Gentiles Acts 10:9-49 Leads the Church diligently Rest of the New Testament Gives his life as a martyr John 21:18-19
CONCLUSION Remember that people can change. Wether it’s you or somebody you love, it is always possible. That change can be big or small, but God has great things in store for anybody with a willing heart and mind. He always see the potential and gives you the opportunity and the means to fulfill it. I hope you will all be like the Ethiopian man, and Paul, and Peter, and who knows what great things God has in store for you!
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