August 29, 2021

Ridgeline Study Prompts

 Acts 11:18-44

Prayer and Preparation

Take a minute or two to sit quietly and unrushed in your prayers. Ask God to captivate your heart and mind in the coming moments of your study. Remind yourself that time in prayer and scripture are vital in our sanctification. Studying His word gives us glimpses into the heart and mind of our God. I would encourage you to not rush your prayer nor your study.

Study

Find a map of the Middle East during the time of the New Testament early church to see where these Jewish believers are scattering to. Describe the locations listed in this text and their proximity to Jerusalem.

In Acts 11:20, we see that some of those scattered began witnessing to the “Hellenists” or Greeks. Prior to this, gospel evangelism had been to fellow Jews, or to Samaritans whose religion was similar to Judaism, or to Gentiles who were already “god-fearing.” As the Gospel goes out in Acts 11, we see it being received by those who lived in very pagan settings. Do an online search to learn a bit about the culture of first century Antioch. Note similarities it may have had with the post-Christian culture of Anchorage we find ourselves in today.

Application

Note the way that new converts so quickly find ways to serve and to meet the needs of their time. Ask God to grow our hearts to serve one another and our community. After some prayer, write down a list of needs that you see in your circle of influence. Then next to each item, write down a practical way you, your family, your small group, or the church could step in to meet that need. Make a plan to share your ideas with others in our church body. And then, let’s go ahead and move toward those needs.