Date: August 18, 2024
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 13:7-14, Acts 5:41

Facilitator Questions:
Theme:  Kingdom living

Start thinking: Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Verse 7 tells us to remember our church leaders who have taught us God’s word, to consider the outcome of their way of life and to imitate their faith. What are some ways that Pastor Rino and other church leaders demonstrate faithfulness that is worthwhile to imitate?
• Think about verse 8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Why did the author put this verse in the middle of the list of instructions about how to live in the heavenly kingdom? Why is it important?
• Verses 9 and 10 refer to the kosher requirements of the Law, which dictated the foods that Jewish people could or couldn’t sacrifice and eat. What points does the author make about grace and the Christian altar of the cross?
• What did verses 11-14 teach the Hebrew Christians about being willing to identify with Jesus outside the camp and bear His reproach? What types of hardship or suffering did they experience?
• In Acts 5:41, Peter and the other apostles “departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Why is suffering shame for the name of Jesus a cause for rejoicing?

Start sharing:  Choose a question to create openness.

• Verse 7 reinforces Hebrews 10:24-25. What are some ways that being in Christian fellowship and learning from pastors have encouraged you and spurred you on to love and good works?
• For the Hebrew Christians, there were stark differences between living in the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of grace, and following Jesus came with great personal costs. Here and now where you live, what personal costs do you face in following Jesus?
• How does the concept of going outside the camp to suffer with Jesus strike you? How does the persecuted Church around the world affect you?
• How willing are you to be rejected for identifying with Jesus? Can you imagine yourself joyfully bearing suffering or shame for Him?

Start praying:  Be bold and pray with power.

• Thank God for the examples of Godly leaders in the Church. Pray for our pastors to be strengthened in the faith, to stand boldly for Jesus and to withstand pressures to compromise or fall in sin.
• Pray for Christians around the world who are truly persecuted for their faith to have close relationships with Jesus, stand strong in Him and be richly rewarded.
• Repent of any resistance to fully surrendering your heart to Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you. Thank Him for giving his all for you.
• Pray for grace for yourself, your family and your church to love Jesus wholeheartedly and unashamedly and to follow Him whatever it takes.

Start doing:  Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Pray for the persecuted Church to overcome evil with good and to be powerful witnesses of God’s love and grace to those around them.
• Remind yourself that Jesus gave up His position in heaven to suffer and die for rebellious, ungrateful sinners. Pray for grace to follow in His footsteps, and look for ways to show that same sacrificial love to people around you.