Testimony Sunday

Sermon Summary

This service is grounded in Acts 13, where the church at Antioch, made up of prophets and teachers from different backgrounds, fasts and prays until the Holy Spirit sets apart Barnabas and Saul for a mission, and in Acts 14, where the church later gathers to hear the report of what God did through them. This is where we (Antioch) get our name!

Testimonies bring glory to God rather than to any person or ministry, and it strengthens faith, because hearing specific answered prayers reminds the church that God hears and responds when his people call on him. It also passes God's works from one generation to the next, so that what God has done is carried forward by the whole church family, and it stirs the church up to love and good works, turning what could be passive information into an invitation to participate.

During the service, our church heard testimonies from what God did this summer, from youth and college students sharing the gospel to teams serving in Argentina and Namibia and even locally in Waco with Women at the Well discipling women.

Key Scriptures

Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 14:26-27 (NIV) From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Psalm 145:3-4 (NIV) Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 138:3 (NIV) When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.

Discussion Questions

Scripture Study and Deeper Understanding

  1. In Acts 13:1-3, Luke lists Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Saul together as the prophets and teachers at Antioch. What do we learn about that church from the diversity of backgrounds represented in that list?

  2. What is the order of events in Acts 13:1-3? What was the church doing when the Holy Spirit spoke, and what did they do between hearing from him and actually sending Barnabas and Saul out?

  3. In Acts 14:26-27, what specifically did Paul and Barnabas report when they returned to Antioch, and why do you think the whole church was gathered to hear it rather than just the leaders?

Encouragement, Challenge and Personal Testimony

  1. Sean and Shannon Jones described 109 students who went out this summer and saw people healed, delivered and drawn to Jesus. Where have you recently seen God at work in someone's life, even in a small or ordinary way, and what did that show you about his character?

  2. Psalm 138:3 says that when we call, God answers and emboldens us. Has there been a time recently when you saw a specific prayer answered? How did that shape or strengthen your faith?

  3. Several of the stories shared today, the healings in Namibia, the encounter with the grieving girl in Southeast Asia, the mother in Memphis, described God showing up in unexpected places and through unexpected people. Where might God be inviting you to notice him at work in an unlikely place in your own life or family right now?

Putting It Into Practice

  1. The message challenged every Lifegroup to do what the church did today: take time to share testimonies of how God has worked among your own group's members this summer. As you prayerfully listen to the Holy Spirit, what is one story from your own life this summer that you sense he wants you to share with this group?

  2. Hebrews 10:24-25 calls believers to consider how to spur one another toward love and good deeds. Is there a specific step of obedience, whether that is a trip, a conversation, a new commitment to serve, that you sense God inviting you to take this next season? What would it look like to actually take that step?

Prayer

  1. Listening to the Holy Spirit. Let's take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what he wants to speak to each of us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion. Sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak. After the minute of silence, what do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?

  2. Prayer Requests: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?