The Fourth Wall - End of Week 2

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with, or your Connect Group.  Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead in all things.

OPENING QUESTION(S)
Have you ever witnessed a disagreement within the body of Christ that split that body, and/or, deeply hurt members of that body?  What was that experience like for you and were there any lessons you took away from it?

HEAD

1. Read Acts 15:1-35 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that simply come to you from the reading of the Word.
2. We often romanticize the early church; the gospel was preached, the Spirit was powered out, miracles happened, the church grew.  But there were struggles and disagreements too.  Why do you think the Jesus movement struggled to truly embrace and live the Jesus Way?
3. Why was it so hard for the Pharisees, even the ones who believed in Jesus, to accept and be excited about Gentiles giving their heart to Jesus/God?
4. Concerning v. 19, in what ways do you think the early church made it difficult for the Gentiles to turn to God?  In what ways do we make it difficult today?
5. In a world that is so full of information, how do you and I discern good sources from bad sources, continuing to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ?

HEART

1. Jesus always transcended the moments we face, as does the kingdom of God.  His way wasn’t the left, right, or even middle, but His way, or the third way, is above that plain.  How do you think the Jesus Way, the third way, differs from that of the world?  How can you and I ascend to the Jesus way, even when our disagreements are deeply rooted?
2. What do you think is at the core of some of our toughest disagreements as it pertains to the body of Christ, His church?
3. How do you think we should handle disagreements in the church?
4. What are some tangible ways that you think we could work today to make it even easier for people to come to God?

HANDS
We’ve encouraged this before and do it again here as it seems appropriate to help us live the Jesus way no matter what we face in this world.  Over this next week, take time each day to pray Ephesians 3: 14-21. Pray that no matter what happens in our world, you may be rooted and established in God’s love, so that you may respond with love, to honor the one who is love.

WORDS TO REMEMBER
““Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:11, NLT