I Will Not Fear Wolves.

Review / Introduction:

Matthew 10:16-18 - "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles..."

How to be a Fearless Snake / Dove:

1. Be wise! Think Defensively. (Acts 22:22-29)


2. Be innocent! Live Blamelessly. (Acts 22:30-23:5)


3. Be wise! Strike Deliberately. (Acts 23:6-10)


4. Be innocent! Trust Fearlessly. (Acts 23:11)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 22:22-23:11 

1. What does it mean to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16-18)? Restate this in your own words. What is the danger of being just one or the other?

2. What are ways Christians can “use the world to our advantage” as Paul did in Acts 22:25?

3. Re-read Acts 23:5. What does this say about how we should regard OUR leaders, even if we don't particularly like them?

4. How did the Lord's promise of Paul testifying in Rome give Paul courage? What promises of God give YOU courage?

5. What is your one big "take-away" from Paul's ordeal in this passage?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves".

I Will Not Fear Witnessing for Christ.

Review / Introduction:

How to Fearlessly Give Your Testimony:

1. Tell about your life Before Christ. (Acts 22:1-5)
   
   

   Identify with your listener(s):

   1. Identify their Language. (Acts 22:2)
   2. Identify their Merit. (Acts 22:3)
   3. Identify with their Truth resistance. (Acts 22:4)

2. Tell how you Came to Christ. (Acts 22:6-11)
   
   
   1. Reveal how you Recognized the truth. (Acts 22:6-7)
   2. Reveal your own Foolishness. (Acts 22:8)
   3. Reveal the Name of your salvation. (Acts 22:8)


3. Tell how Christ Changed you. (Acts 22:12-21)
   
   
   1. I see things New. (Acts 22:13)
   2. I have a new Purpose. (Acts 22:15)
   3. I have Peace with God. (Acts 22:16)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 21:37-22:21 

1. How did Paul defend himself against these accusations? How do you know when to defend yourself or ignore false accusations?

2. Why is it so important to identify with your listeners when giving your testimony? Specifically, how can YOU do that when sharing?

3. Why is it important to recognize some point of merit of your listeners (Acts 22:3)? What effect does this have on your listeners?

4. How much specific detail should you share about your past sin? Why?
    

Breakout Questions:

Each of you, using these principles, share your testimony in 3 minutes or less (time each other!). Cover these three areas:

1. My life before Christ
2. How I met Christ
3. How Christ changed me

I Will Not Fear. I Will Think for Myself.

Think for Yourself:How to Avoid Losing Your Mind in the Mob

1. Think for yourself: Don't buy into Lies and Exaggerations. (Acts 21:27-29)


2. Think for yourself: Don't buy into Religious Rules. (Acts 21:30)


3. Think for yourself: Don't buy into Emotion. (Acts 21:31-36)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 21:27-36 

1. Describe a time you saw "mob mentality" make people act crazy.

2. Paul was warned this would happen in Jerusalem (Acts 21: 4,11). How do you think that warning may have actually been an encouragement during this scene? How can God's Word regarding the trials we face be an encouragement to us?

3. Why do many people "go with the crowd" and not think for themselves? What warning can we take away from this passage?

4. Why do people elevate "religious rules" over weightier matters, like love, forgiveness, etc?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another. Ask how each other is doing with personal prayer / Bible study. 

When I Am Humble, I Will Not Fear

Review / Introduction:

What is Conviction?

Leviticus 26:17 - ...you shall flee when none pursues you.

Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Leviticus 26:19 - ...I will break the pride of your power,

Herod, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Richard Nixon, Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Osama Bin Laden, Nicolae Ceaușescu

Leviticus 26:41 - if then their uncircumcised heart is humble

Two Things Humble People Say:

1. God gets all the Glory (Acts 21:17-20a)

2 Corinthians 10:17 - Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

2. I will lay down my Rights. (Acts 21:20b-26)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 21:17-26 

1. Tell of a time people told lies about you. What happened? How did it make you feel? How did you handle it? How would you handle it if you had to do it all over again?

2. Why did Paul agree to go along with the purification / ceremony with these 4 men? Isn't that legalistic? What advice would you have given Paul if you were there with him during this time?

3. What does this passage teach us about handling enemies? What does this passage say about handling “weaker brothers” (true Christians still holding onto old traditions)?

• My big Take-Away from this message was:
   

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another, and HBC, to grow in humility in these two areas: Glory to God and giving up my rights.

I Will Live by My Convictions.

Review / Introduction:

What is Conviction?

Definition: A strong Personal belief, derived from God's Word, that determines a specific Conduct or Course.

Conviction Clarifications:

Five "Nots" About Convictions

1. Convictions are not always Instant
2. Convictions are not about Personal Preferences
3. It's not about Adopting someone else's convictions
4. It's not about Disregarding advise
5. Convictions are not Enforceable on others

Examples:

• Schooling
• Ministries

Impact:

• Conviction drives out fear

Living with Conviction is Living Without Fear:

1. I will not fear Disapproval? (Acts 21:1-6)


2. I will not fear Drama? (Acts 21:7-12)


3. I will not fear Death? (Acts 21:13-16)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 21:1-16 

1. What personal convictions have you been criticized for? (While sharing, don’t criticize each other's' convictions.)

2. Was Paul being disobedient to the Holy Spirit (Acts 21:4, 11)? Why or why not?

3. How do you KNOW when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you through another person, and it’s not the other person just giving their personal opinion?

4. How do you know when a conviction is from the Lord, and a conviction is just "from yourself / just in your head"?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another to seek (and keep) godly, biblical convictions.