Acts 8 (part 1)

Introduction: Pain & Troubles in the hand of God (vss 1-3)
Joshua 24:15

1.FAKES exalt 

(v. 9)

2. FAKES draw

(v. 10)

1 John 2:15–17

3. FAKES exercise

(v. 11)
Matthew 7:21–23

4. FAKES are obsessed

(v. 18-19)
Ephesians 2:1–5

Next Week: Acts 8 (Part 2)

Questions for the Community

Personal Reflection  

1. When you lean on your own logic and understanding, how do you make sense of life’s pain and troubles? What behaviors come from this?
2. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. What fakes have been part of your story? Are you sincere in your belief?

Group Discussion

3. What is the most ridiculous phony Christian person or thing that you are aware of? Why do people fall for this?
4. False leaders create false converts. Which of the 4 characteristics of fakes from Sunday are most prominent. Talk specifically. Instruct one another on how to discern real from fake.
5. Compare Simon’s response to the gospel with people in Acts 2:37-38; 41. What specifically is missing from Simon?
6. KEY ACTIVITY: Self examination is a part of the Christian life (2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10-11). Using Acts 8 as a framework, discuss strategies so you can KNOW you are safe in God’s family and how to create TRUE converts to Christ.

Plan of Action

7. Declare your love for God and renounce all other loves that would steer you from Him (1 John 2:15-17). Starting your day with a quiet word TO God while receiving words FROM him sets the course of your heart for the day. At the end of the day, spend a set time and place for reflecting on what is truly going on in your heart.
8. Take stock of ministries you let in (church, vids/podcast, books, etc), what messages are prominent and what fruit is the result?