Text: Acts 14:23-28
Sermon Date: July 6, 2025
Theme: The sermon focuses on the "church basics" modeled by Paul and Barnabas: the appointment of elders, prayer and fasting for mission, and spending time together as a church community.Instructions: Use the following questions to guide your home group discussion. Encourage everyone to share openly, using the sermon and scripture as a foundation. Allow time for reflection and practical application.
Discussion Questions
Closing Prayer Prompt:
Spend time praying as a group for:
As a group, plan a shared meal or outing in the next month to practice the “church basic” of spending time together. Discuss how you can make this a regular part of your group’s rhythm.
Sermon Date: July 6, 2025
Theme: The sermon focuses on the "church basics" modeled by Paul and Barnabas: the appointment of elders, prayer and fasting for mission, and spending time together as a church community.Instructions: Use the following questions to guide your home group discussion. Encourage everyone to share openly, using the sermon and scripture as a foundation. Allow time for reflection and practical application.
Discussion Questions
- Elders in the Church (Acts 14:23)
The sermon highlights the importance of appointing elders as a foundational practice for the church. According to the sermon and passages like Exodus 18:21-22 and Titus 1:5-9, what qualities should elders possess, and why are these qualities essential for leading a church? How can we as a group pray for and support our church’s elders? - The Role of Elders (Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 3:2)
Elders are described as those who “lead and feed” the church through teaching, example, and care. How have you seen elders in our church fulfill these roles? Share a specific example of how an elder’s leadership or teaching has impacted your faith. - Prayer and Fasting for Mission (Acts 14:23, Matthew 9:37-38)
Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted as they appointed elders and committed them to the Lord. Why do you think prayer and fasting are emphasized as “church basics” for mission? How can our group make prayer and fasting a regular part of our commitment to God’s mission? - Spending Time Together (Acts 14:27-28)
The sermon emphasizes that spending considerable time together is essential for building a loving church community. What are some practical ways our group can prioritize spending time together outside of regular meetings to grow in love and fellowship? Share any challenges you face in making time for this. - Applying the Basics to Our Lives
The sermon suggests practical applications like joining a Sunday class, participating in a home group, or simply having dinner with another family. Which of these “church basics” (elders, prayer/fasting, time together) do you feel called to focus on in your own life? What is one specific step you can take this week to live out this commitment?
Closing Prayer Prompt:
Spend time praying as a group for:
- Your church’s elders, that they would lead and feed the flock faithfully.
- A renewed commitment to prayer and fasting for God’s mission.
- Opportunities to spend meaningful time together as a church family.
- Specific steps each member shared in question 5, asking for God’s strength to follow through.
As a group, plan a shared meal or outing in the next month to practice the “church basic” of spending time together. Discuss how you can make this a regular part of your group’s rhythm.
