Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
Ice-Breaker:
Have you ever punched someone so hard they got saved? (you had to have been there)
Scripture:
Acts 19:11-20
11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.
13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.
17 The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. 18 Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. 19 A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20 So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.
11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.
13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.
17 The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. 18 Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. 19 A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20 So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.
Discussion Questions:
- In Acts 19, we see that Paul is doing even more miracles, even when he's not around! The power of God was so present with him that people that even touched his sweat band or apron would be healed. But some unbelieving, Jewish exorcists tried to hijack this power in order to cast out a demon. Ephesus was a center for magic, sorcery and all kinds of witchcraft. These guys were trying to mix Judaism and sorcery while at the same time invoking the name of Jesus. But they were posers... had no relationship with Jesus, and yet they were attempting to use His name. Many people today do the same thing. Even those who consider themselves "Christians." The problem is, knowing WHO Jesus is without actually SUBMITTING to Him is exactly what satan does. How does that last sentence hit you? Do you know anyone that falls into this category? Have YOU in the past?
- The demon responded to these posers by telling them he knew who Paul and Jesus were, but he had no idea who THEY were. Other people in those days might not have paid the names of Paul and Jesus much attention, but they were quite well known in the spiritual world. The demons knew Paul, and especially Jesus, VERY well. Do they know your name? Is your life making enough trouble for the unseen realm of evil that you're on their radar?
- Brandon went through several different forms of divination, which is seeking to uncover hidden knowledge by supernatural means, which is associated with the occult. Examples of divination are ouija boards, taro cards, witchcraft, palm reading, fortune telling, sorcery, etc. These are easy... stay away from this stuff! But others are more subtle. Christian mysticism is tricky because it sounds like truth, but overemphasizes experiences and feelings. It is often thought of as the practice of the "experiential knowledge of God." But it can lead down some weird roads that aren't biblical (Example: taking trips to heaven in your mind). Astrology is a belief that your personality and destiny are governed by astronomical phenomena at the time of your birth and then throughout your life, rather than the sovereign plan of God. Some believe crystals have healing power and can ward of evil spirits, bring luck, or help your romantic life, which is blatantly forbidden in Scripture (Deut. 18). Dream catchers are rooted in witchcraft and are signaling demonic spirits. Every single yoga pose pays homage to a different Hindu deity. According to Scripture, anything that seeks to manipulate the spirit world, whether it's intentional or not, can be categorized as witchcraft, regardless of your intentions. Are there any areas of your life where you might be unknowingly dabbling in divination? How does all that strike you?
- Brandon's first challenge was, "Don't play games with God!" Don't be like the sons of Seva, who were using the name of Jesus fraudulently. Don't be like the Christians in Ephesus who, though they were saved, were still messing around with spirits and powers that were contrary to God. Maybe it's time to rid yourself of what is holding you back, as the writer of hebrews says. Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Have you been playing games with God? Have you been a pretender, someone who is talking the talk but not fully walking the walk?
- The last challenge was to "Burn the books!" The Christians in Ephesus, once they were made aware of their errors, took a DRASTIC step of repentance and obedience. They brought out all their books of spells and sorcery and made one of the most expensive bonfires in history. This COST them something (several million dollars to be exact). What makes secret sin powerful is the fact that it's secret. It's time to drag it out into the light! Repent! Confess! Tell someone! What drastic step of repentance and obedience is God asking of you?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would run from things that aren't scriptural.
- That we would resist the devil so he will flee.
- That we will live drastically obedient lives.
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