Have you ever been in a situation where you managed information or your actions in order to get people to perceive you a certain way? Are there people in your life who’s opinions matter more to you than others? As we continue our series, Stories from Acts, JP teaches through Acts 5 the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and what we can learn from their sudden and seemingly extreme death.

1) Surrender marks a true believer
2) Imposters scheme in selfishness
3) Perception management is a serious sin

A marriage cannot be happy or healthy without Christ at the center of it. In this message, Jonathan Pokluda teaches us that (1) the mindset of marriage must be sacrifice and submission, (2) the mission of marriage is sanctification through service, and (3) the mystery of marriage is that it showcases our savior.

Paul reminds us in today’s text the antidote to spiritually sleepwalking is to walk in love, walk in the light, and walk in wisdom. 

1. Walk in Love

2. Walk in Light 

3. Walk in Wisdom 

Life Group Discussion:

What have you put behind you and fully surrendered to walk in love?

When someone brings sin into the light? How should you respond?

What do you daily allow to fill your heart? What influences your flesh?

To live a Christian life, we have to imitate Christ. One place where some struggle is with forgiveness of others who have committed a wrong against them. Rather than holding grudges, quiet judgment, and anger in our hearts, we are called to forgive in the same way that Jesus forgave us. God deeply cares about how we are able to forgive others and let go of our anger. 

Life Group Questions: 

Are there any unresolved conflicts or feelings of resentment towards others in your life?

How can you take the first step towards resolution?

How does our anger towards others often reveal other sin within us?

 Change begins in you thinking …thoughts take you places. When you become a Christian, you are learning a new way to live, different than the world. The true test of a changed person is what comes out of them when they are squeezed. The true test is in trials. 

Thoughts take you places

You are learning a new way

The true test comes in trials

Life Group Discussion:

What are you allowing in your thoughts? Share what you fed your brain this week. What do you need to let go of?

What are you going to start doing to help fill your heart with the things of God?

What comes out of you when you are squeezed by life? Begin to uncover what is stored in your heart. How would your life look different if you took this step?

The disposition of a mature Christian comes from a unified doctrine. The deployment of mature Christians leads to unified service. The development of mature Christians makes up a unified church. 

A mature Christian’s disposition 

A mature Christian’s deployment 

A mature Christian’s development 

Life Group Discussion:

Who do you know that is clearly marked with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness? What makes you say that? Would someone think about you? 

Where have you been deployed in the body to use your gifts? If you haven’t deployed your gifts, ask your LG how they see God using you in the body.

Are you in a season where you are a weak part of the body? Share with your LG and let them pray for you during this difficult season. Take a step forward in growing your faith. Don’t just “go” to church, but “be” the church.

Jesus showed his wounds and Thomas was changed forever. Thomas believed Jesus was risen indeed. May we be encouraged to show our wounds and tell others about the risen Savior who changed our lives forever. 

1. We tend to conceal when the Bible’s pattern is to reveal.

2. Show your wounds to share your Savior.

3. A man with an experience of God is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. 

Life Group Discussion: 

- What do you remember about Easter Sunday in your childhood? Was it an important day in your family?

- Do you conceal your wounds or reveal them? Why or why not?

- What are some of the challenges you face to show your wounds in your workplace, school, neighborhood, and with friends?

On Good Friday, we observe in reverence the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. In this message, JP takes us through the scriptures to see where we might've missed the shadows of our savior throughout the Old Testament.

1) Shadows of Sacrifice

2) Shadows of a Substitute

3) Shadows of a Savior

The mystery of God is revealed in suffering, serving, and sharing. 

The mystery is revealed in suffering

The mystery is revealed in serving 

The mystery is revealed in sharing 

Life Group Discussion:

Have you witnessed unbelievable heart change in someone’s life? What changed?

When you experience suffering, does God seem far away from you or near to you? What makes you say that?

Who do we serve? Those who love us? Those who are our enemies? What would it look like to serve our enemies? 

We have been brought into The Kingdom of God by the blood of Jesus. We have been blended in with the Jews who trusted in Jesus as the Messiah. We are being built up into God’s temple and God is building His home among us forever.

1. You have been brought in

2. You have been blended

3. You are being built up

Life Group Discussion:

Is there a relationship you've given up on because of differing views? Why or why not?

How many contacts are in your cell phone that are a different ethnicity than you? What can you do to increase the number.  

Would you say you're diligent when it comes to cultivating meaningful relationships with people who look different than you? If so, what makes you say that? If not, what is a step you can take to be diligent?

We were all dead in our sins before God. We couldn’t work our way or earn our way to Him. Yet, because of His never-ending love and mercy, He has made us alive in His Son Jesus. Paul lays out the simple yet powerful and profound life changing reality in these ten verses that is the Good News of the Gospel.

1. We were dead in our sins

2. By grace we are made alive in Christ

3. We are made alive to walk in our purpose

Life Group Discussion:

Growing up, how did you view the church – as a place to go, or a group of people who followed Jesus?

What do you picture when you think of the word, “grace”?

Hold out your fingerprint. Does anyone else have your same fingerprint? You are God’s masterpiece! What is one thing you could ask God to help you with this week? How would your life look different if you took this step?