1. Pray. Ask the Lord to open your eyes, that you might behold wondrous things out of his Word (Ps. 119:18). 

2. Read Sunday's passage. Feel free to read it more than once, or in another translation.

3. Review the sermon outline. Try to see how the points came out of the text.

4. Answer the questions below. Focus on personal application.

5. Pray. Praise and thank the Lord, then ask him to work in mighty ways. 

Remember, we live not by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God (Dt. 8:3; Mt. 4:4).

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Intro: We conclude our series on aspects of a healthy church asking: How do we make sure we stick with the plan of God?

I. Jesus' disciples need to know the plan (v. 44–47). The risen Lord Jesus helps his disciples understand that all of the scriptures point to him, specifically that he would suffer, rise from the dead, provide redemption, and that the message of redemption must be proclaimed to all nations. The Old Testament foretells what Christ fulfills. This is the plan, and disciples of Jesus need to know it.

II. Jesus' disciples need to receive the call (v. 48). By saying that it's a part of the plan for the nations to hear about redemption in Christ, and then by telling his diciples that they are witnesses (those who testify to the truth), Jesus is implying that they are the means by which this part of the plan will be fulfilled. Jesus' disciples don't just need to know the plan; they need to receive the call to be Jesus' witnesses.

III. Jesus' disciples need to go in the power of the Spirit (v. 49). The only way followers of Jesus will be able to proclaim Christ to the nations is by the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot rely on our own strength, but on God's. 

Conclusion: Healthy churches present the message of Christ. So know the plan, receive the call, and go in the power of the Spirit, to present the message of Christ to the non-believers in your life. This is how God will fulfull his plan. 

1. Know the plan!

- Which Old Testamtent passages either directly foretell, or indirectly prefigure, the death of Christ?

- Which Old Testament passages either directly foretell, or indirectly prefigure, the resurrection of Christ?

- Which Old Testament passages speak of humanity's need to be forgiven and redeemed?

- Which Old Testament passages speak of God's Word going out to the nations?  

- What is still unclear in your mind about the plan? Who could you talk to about this? 

2. Receive the Call! 

- Who is the "Casey" (non-believer) in your life, whom you could tell about Jesus?

- How would you "witness" (testify) to the Gospel to this friend?

- When could you share with them?

- How could you prepare for this?

- Which other beleivers can you ask to pray for you and for Casey as you share the Gospel?

3. Go in the power of the Spirit! 

- Do you have the ability to convert a human heart?  

- Is answering all of their questions, objections, or counterarguments enough to win their hearts? 

- Have you ever experienced trying something in your own strength, and it failed? What did you learn?

- How can you rely on the power of the Spirit when sharing about Jesus? 

1. Praise God not only for saving us by his plan of redemption, but also for including us in it, as the means by which the nations will hear about Jesus, repent, and believe.

2. Ask God to show you whom you can witness to.

3. Ask God to draw your "Casey" to himself (see John 6:44, 65). 

4. Ask God to grant you the strength you need, by the power of his Spirit in you, to present the message of Christ. 

Thanks for reading the Bible Study Guide! I pray it helps us "continue to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Eph. 4:15).

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,

Tom Hansen, Senior Pastor