Perseverance for the Sake of the Kingdom

How do we respond to suffering and hardship today? Join us this Sunday at CrossWinds Church in Spencer as we look at the perseverance of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14.

Sermon Discussion

1. How would you define perseverance? What are the two reasons for perseverance given in this chapter (vv. 22 & 27, above)? What does perseverance in Jesus look like in today’s culture?
2. What is one takeaway you have from this passage? What will you do with that this week? What is a question you still have after studying this passage?
3. Read Acts 14:1; 13:48. How do we balance “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” with they “spoke in such a way that many” believed? What does it look like to “hone your craft” of telling people about Jesus? What are some ways that you can be more effective in telling others about Jesus?
4. Read Acts 14:2–3, 5–7. Here we see that sometimes perseverance means staying through hostility and other times fleeing. How do we reconcile these two responses? What can we learn from them?
5. Read Acts 14:15–17. Discuss how Paul’s sermon “contextualizes” the gospel for a pagan audience. What does contextualization look like for us today? What would “going too far” look like? 
6. Read Acts 14:22. What does it look like to strengthen others in the faith? How can you put this verse into practice in your life?
7. Read Acts 14:26. How can you follow the church in Antioch in “commending” others for how God is using them?
8. This Time Tomorrow: How does this passage transform your thoughts, actions, or interactions at “this time tomorrow”?