Week 2 – Be Bold
Leader Guide
Last week, we talked about sharing our stories, knowing who we are and where we’ve come from. But how in the world do you get the conversation started? How do you learn to share all that God has done in your life?
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Have you ever been so excited that you sounded crazy? Think sports team, restaurant, or a movie you had just seen.
2. What would I say? Maybe the fear of getting started is a big deal for you. Read Luke 21:12-15. How do verses 12 and 13 reframe suffering and “persecution” like bias at the workplace? How is this like or unlike the early church persecution? What comfort do you find specifically in these verses? What do verses 14-15 tell you to do and promise you?
Leader’s Note: We have the Good News of the Gospel! But we are too nervous to start the conversation. The first two verses reframe difficult situations into opportunities, so that we can share Jesus! Also, remember the early church was facing death, while we typically only face embarrassment or rejection. The other verses tell us we don’t need to freak out and have all the words. We can be comforted by knowing we will be led by the Spirit to give us the words and wisdom we need.
3. Memorize. Read John 3:16 and consider memorizing it. What is so important about knowing this one verse? Read Hebrews 4:12. How does this seem to contradict the Luke passage above? What does the Word of God do? Have you experienced its “aliveness” or “sharpness” in your life or as you are sharing Scripture with someone else? How does memorizing Scripture “slow the game down” and take away our anxiety in a spiritual situation?
Leader’s Note: Most of us have memorized that one verse. It is the crux of the Gospel: God loved us; sent His Son; and believing in Him is enough! We should not memorize a script. We don’t have the power to convict or transform. If we are relying on our own power or wisdom, we are missing God’s plan. We don’t have the words, but the Word of God has the power. It is living. It speaks to each individual spirit to illuminate, reveal, and cut to the heart of the matter.
4. Go when God says “Go.” Read Acts 8:26, 29. Where did God send Philip? How did this seem crazy? What would you expect to find in the desert? In verse 29, how awkward would it be? Where does obedience start? Before you worry about having the conversation, what has to happen? Have you ever felt the nudge to step into an opportunity?
Leader’s Note: Philip was a deacon at the Jerusalem church that was just bursting at the seams. God told him to leave it all and go to the desert, a barren place with few people. But with only that information, he went. Then God told him to approach the chariot, which would seem crazy. But God directs us one nudge, one step at a time.
5. Listen, then speak. Read Acts 8:30-35. How did Philip respond in verse 30? When Philip listened to the eunuch, how did this make sharing the Gospel simple? How good are you at listening? How good are you at listening specifically to those with whom you have conflicting opinions and beliefs? How can listening provide an open door, as opposed to just starting off on an evangelism spiel?
Leader’s Note: Philip RAN to do what God asked him to do. Then, he listened. He did not start with an agenda. He did not try to talk him out of his current beliefs. The Ethiopian himself (as God had been wooing and drawing him to salvation) provide the perfect question to open the door to a spiritual conversation. Listening to someone's hurt or curiosity about spiritual matters is a much better opportunity to talk about the Gospel and share Jesus than a "cold call" approach.
6. Action Step: Have you picked three verses to memorize this week? Have you downloaded the Bible Memory App? Have you signed up for Evangelism Foundations? Are you ready to go when you feel God’s nudge? Who do you need to begin really listening to instead of preparing your reply while they talk?
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. As Jesus promised in Luke 21:12-15 (above), the Spirit of God will empower us in difficult situations. Check the examples below to see how God provides boldness, wisdom, and powerful words in extreme situations. What are the miraculous results?
• Acts 2:13-41: (LN: When the world scoffed and assumed they were drunk, the Spirit empowered Peter to preach and 3000 people came to faith in Christ.)
• Acts 3:6-16: (LN: When a crowd gathered at the healing of the lame man, Peter used the opportunity to preach the basics of the Gospel and the power of the Name of Jesus.)
• Acts 4:1-4, 7-12: (LN: Even in front of the authorities, on pain of death, Peter preaches the Gospel and explains how to be saved.)
• Acts 5:17-21: (LN: After yet another arrest, they still felt the nudge of God. Especially important is the command to speak to the people the word of the Life, meaning the Good News of Jesus.)
• Acts 7:54-60: (LN: All of chapter 7 is Stephen’s message to the Jewish leaders, but even at the very moment of his death, he was speaking God’s words, revealing God’s grace and offered forgiveness.)
• Acts 9:10-19: (LN: In this case, Ananias received the command to “go” to Saul. Despite his fear, he obeyed, and God gave him the words to minister to the broken man who became the Apostle Paul.)
• Acts 10:19-20, 22-43: (LN: Though this was a new thing, Peter still went when directed by the angel of God and preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his household.)