Community Group Guide
> Why We Gather
At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.
> Give Thanks
Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.
> Scripture Reading
Have someone read Acts 2:36-41
> Discussion Questions
God’s declaration
Peter summarizes his sermon with a bold announcement about the meaning of Jesus’ recent death on the cross and resurrection from the dead: God has declared Jesus to be both Lord and Messiah. [Note: Messiah and Christ are the same word in different languages.] This points to the way Jesus is both the long-awaited King of Israel who would usher in a new age of God’s Kingdom on earth and that Jesus is God himself come to dwell with his people. It is important that we notice that Peter does not say, “I am claiming that Jesus is Lord and Messiah,” or “You should make Jesus your personal Lord and Messiah.” Instead, Peter says this is God’s declaration about Jesus. Most directly, God declared these things about Jesus in the Jewish scriptures and by raising him from the dead. As Pastor Alberto has been pointing out, the events of Acts 2 mark the beginning of the Christian Church. The Church is founded on people receiving God’s declaration about Jesus and responding accordingly.
Reflection Question: What questions do you have about what it means that Jesus is Lord and Messiah? What are some ways you think about Jesus’ titles as Lord and Messiah?
Freedom in obedience When the people were convicted to respond to Peter’s sermon, how did he invite them to respond? Peter repeated Jesus’ command when he declared the good news of the Kingdom: repent of your sins and be baptized to be forgiven of your sins. Peter says that we need to be saved from the wickedness in the world and be empowered to pursue God’s ways by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Alberto argued that turning away from our sins is a truer form of freedom than we can find apart from God. “True freedom is not getting to say ‘yes’ to whatever you want, but the power to say ‘no.’”
Reflection Question: How is the declaration of Jesus as Lord and Messiah connected to the response of repenting and being baptized?
Reflection Question: How do you need power from the Holy Spirit to seek freedom in obedience this week?
God’s vision has always been a family Pastor Alberto focused in the sermon on the idea that God does not call individuals to follow him, but invites people into the family of God. Peter explains that “the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off.” We will explore more next week about how the Church’s response to this sermon was living in mutual care and support. Pastor Alberto summarized it saying, “The fullness of God’s presence is experienced in togetherness, not in isolation.” From the beginning of creation, God intends for people to live in community together and to love one another, because this is how God himself exists among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Even before sin, God declared “it is not good for man to be alone” because he intends for us to love and serve each other. This is also our vision for our church so that we can live lives of faith that last for decades and generations. As Alberto said, “We are a church that is going to last to the second and third generation, not because we are gonna go fast, but because we are gonna go far and we are gonna do it together.”
Reflection Question: How do you think God is calling you to serve and love people in your family of faith this week?
> Confession and Prayer
Reflect and Pray: As we sit with this passage, ask God to bring to mind anything you need to confess or need prayer for. Take a moment to share and pray for one another. Feel free to split up into pairs depending on the group size.
> Leader Form