ENGAGE
*What was a time that God worked in a way that you didnt expect?
READ
*Read or summarize the passage.
*Share any observations or questions from the passage or the sermon.
REFLECT
*How did the Church in Jerusalem react when Peter returned from Cornelius? Why do you think they reacted this way?
*How does Peter respond to their criticism? What words of Jesus does Peter remember (v16)? Why do you think this came to Peters mind when he saw Gods work among the Gentiles?
*After hearing Peters story, how did the Jewish Church react?
RESPOND
Consider the various responses in this passage
*What are some ways we are prone to react the way the Church in Jerusalem initially did?
*What can we learn from Peters response to the Church?
*What can we learn from the Churchs response to Peters testimony, especially when we see God working in ways that we may not have thought or even wanted?
*What examples from the Bible can you think of where Jesus had table fellowship with the unclean and socially unacceptable?
*Jesus didnt just share the table with the unclean and unacceptable to defy cultural norms. How does His table fellowship communicate the gospel?
PRAY
As you pray...
*ask that God would fill you with sheer joy for the salvation He has granted you and the same salvation He has granted others.
*ask that God would lead you to someone you might usually overlook in the rhythm of your week.