ECC-Evangelical Covenant Church
The Kingdom Takes Shape: Activated Faith
The Kingdom of God took root in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God began to take shape in the world, as well. The book of Acts is a story of action, faith, courage, and boldness in uncertain times. Then, it was persecution that deployed the Church; today, it is a virus. Tomorrow, it may be something else. How might the Kingdom take shape in our world, as it did then? Join us Sundays at 10:30am (ecclife.net/stream or facebook.com/ecclife) as we rediscover the passion and power of the early Church and what they have to teach us in our uncertain and anxious times today.
Locations & Times
Evangelical Covenant Church
3600 S 9th St, Lafayette, IN 47909, USA
Sunday 10:10 AM
Downloadable Bulletin
Communication Card
Giving online
May 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Carol Smith, Youth Director
Name a movie or book that has a surprise ending for you? After you had finished reading the book or watching the movie, was there anything you encountered earlier in the story that might have tipped you off to where it was all going from the very beginning?
Read Genesis 50:15-20. In verse 20, Joseph's response to his brothers' plea for forgiveness was "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." How does this relate to Acts 8:1-8? How is it different?
What do you think "active faith" means? What are the ways you see your faith active right now and what ways can be activated?
In Acts 8, the church is scattered to new cities. How does being scattered create something new and better? Where have you seen God do something new that you could not imagine on your own?
Read the following quote:
"Expelled from Jerusalem, Philip knew that God is not limited to one particular place but can be worshiped anywhere... Philip preached Christ, Luke writes, to the Samaritans. They were no longer excluded from the Good News, which is God's universal message to all people."
What is your response to "God can be worshiped anywhere?" What does this look like right now?
-Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. Vol. 17, by Simon Kistemaker and William Hendriksen.
In Acts 8, Philip had to move from his home to a new city. If you had to move how would you show God you love him? How would you show your new city and new neighbors that God loves them? Do you think that you would be sad to leave? Have you ever gone somewhere new and you were afraid or sad but it turned out good? Tell me about that.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.