Guard Rails

The Spirit Lead Life.

PDF VERSION HERE

MEETING AGENDA:

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to Open the meeting in prayer. 
  1. DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Development Questions. 
  1. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the SG Attendance System. 
  1. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s SG lesson. 
  1. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.  

Development Questions

Question #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

Question #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon? 

Question #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

This Week's Passage:

Acts 7:44–53 (NIV)
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Connection Question:

Have you ever realized that you were going through the motions of faith while your heart was far from God? What helped bring you back?

Truth #1:

God Desires Our Hearts More Than Our Buildings

Discussion Points:

  1. God’s presence has never been limited to a physical location. (Acts 7:48–50)
  2. The tabernacle and temple were meant to point people to God, not replace Him. (Exodus 25:8–9; 1 Kings 8:27)
  3. Worship is about surrender, not merely attendance. (John 4:23–24)

Growth Question:

What practices help you pursue God’s presence outside of Sunday worship services?

Truth #2:

A Hardened Heart Resists the Work of the Holy Spirit

Discussion Points:

  1. Stephen confronted the people for being stiff-necked and resistant to God. (Acts 7:51)
  2. The Holy Spirit continually leads believers toward repentance and obedience. (John 16:8, 13)
  3. Hardness of heart develops when we repeatedly ignore God’s voice. (Hebrews 3:12–15)

Growth Question:

Are there areas of your life where you sense the Holy Spirit prompting change?

Truth #3:

Faithfulness Means Obedience to Jesus, Not Just Knowledge About Him 

Discussion Points:

  1. Israel received God’s law but failed to obey it. (Acts 7:53)
  2. Knowing Scripture without applying it leads to spiritual stagnation. (James 1:22–25)
  3. Jesus is the Righteous One whom all Scripture ultimately points toward. (Acts 7:52; Luke 24:27)

Growth Question:

What truth from God’s Word have you recently been challenged to obey?

GO THEREFORE QUESTION:

Stephen boldly reminded God’s people that following God requires surrendered hearts, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and obedience to Jesus. What is one specific step of faith or obedience you will take this week to move from simply knowing God’s truth to living it out?

PRAYER:

Question #1

Who are you praying for  
to be saved? 

Question #2

Who can you invite to Church and/or to Small Group?  

Question #3

What are your prayer requests?