Rongopai. Pt 5. Passing the Baton
Phil walks us through Acts 20:17-38 - Paul's farewell to the elders of church at Ephesus where Paul encourages them to 'pass the baton' of sharing the gospel. From the text Phil highlights 3 priorities: SHARE the gospel - ie the need to turn to God in repentance and to have faith in Jesus, GUARD the truth from cults, heresy, and from being overly influenced by culture, and SACRIFICE for the gospel - sharing the example of 'one-way' missionaries - missionaries who left to share the gospel to those in other countries and did not expect to return home.
Life Group Questions
Rongopai: Truth Translated - Speeches from the Book of Acts. Part 5. Pass the Baton
Read: Acts 20:17-38
What do you notice?
What stands out to you?
What observations or questions does this passage raise?
Discuss:
What does Paul assume that his hearers know?
What does he decide he needs to explain or re-frame for them?
Paul updates the Ephesians on his situation, but seems mostly interested in focusing them on his example. Why do you think he is doing this?
What elements of the Gospel does Paul include even as he speaks to elders and leaders?
What does he warn them about that strong character and faithfulness to the Gospel might help with?
When talking about difficult circumstances, how might it be helpful to talk about our response and what we believe? How might this be helpful in a context like the Street Party?
How might being explicit about where our beliefs make a difference in our life help people to engage wih the idea of faith?
What bite-size elements of the Gospel can we include in our daily interactions?
What reminders about God’s character and the gospel are helpful, even when we are pretty sure we believe the same things?
How does encouraging each other into faith and hope glorify God?
Pray: for opportunities to see God at work in our struggles, and for ways to let that encourage us and others through what we share. Pray for conversations that go deep at Street Party, and for opportunities to encourage from our experience of God’s goodness.