How often have you heard someone say, "I'll be praying for you"? It’s a phrase we use so frequently that it almost becomes second nature for Christians, like saying "hello" or "goodbye." 

But how many of us, if we’re honest, actually follow through on those promises to pray? No doubt, we mean well. We want to support one another, especially in tough times, and prayer IS the right answer. But how often do we move on, distracted by life, and forget to actually follow through?

This weekend we will see the early church embodying a totally different approach to prayer. When faced with threats, they didn’t talk about praying for one another—they did it. They came together immediately, lifting their voices as one, and asked God to give them the boldness to continue in the name of Jesus. Can you imagine what might happen if we were to do the same thing?

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

How does acknowledging God's sovereignty before presenting your petitions (like the early church did) change your perspective on prayer?

What is your first response when you face opposition or challenges because of your faith in Jesus? Do you tend to plan, panic, or pray? How can you make prayer more of your "default setting" in moments of stress or opposition?

The early Christians prayed for boldness, not for safety. How do your prayers compare? Are you more likely to pray for comfort in life or for the boldness in the name of Jesus? What specific areas of your life do you feel called to be bolder for Jesus?

Have you ever found yourself tongue-tied, afraid to speak up when you knew you should? Maybe you felt pressure to stay quiet, but something inside you was urging you to be bold. This weekend, we will be looking into Acts 4, where we see ordinary people, filled with the Holy Spirit, becoming bold witnesses for Jesus—astonishing the world and spreading truth like wildfire. What gave them that courage? And how can we live with that same boldness?

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

Why do you think the Holy Spirit is key to the boldness we see in Peter and John in Acts 4? How can we cultivate that same boldness in our own lives?

Where is God calling you to step out in faith right now, and what fears are holding you back? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to give you courage?

What does it mean for faith to “thrive under pressure”? Share an experience where you felt your faith grow stronger through adversity?

I am old enough to remember when everything was done by check and everyone made regular visits to the bank. Do you still write checks?

What makes the check valuable isn’t the size or type of paper or even the amount of zeros behind the number written on it—it’s the name of the one who authorizes it. Without the right name, even something that appears valuable holds no real power.

This weekend, we’re going to look at a moment in scripture where a man in need was offered something far better than money. What He was given wasn’t because of power or wealth—it was because of a name. The name of Jesus. And just like an unauthorized check, without the name of Jesus, even our best efforts, resources, and plans are powerless. But with His name, everything changes.

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

What are some things you tend to rely on to "fix" the brokenness in your life? How might Jesus offer something better? In what ways have you experienced the truth that “Jesus is better” in your own life?

Where are you currently trying to rely on your own strength or righteousness? How might you surrender that and trust in Jesus’ greater goodness and power?

How does knowing that God's plans cannot be thwarted—even by our own ignorance or failure—give you hope in your current circumstances?

When I was growing up, I wanted to be a doctor. I loved the idea of helping people stay healthy, diagnosing their illnesses, and making sure their bodies were functioning as they should. The human body is remarkable, but as we all know, it requires the right care—a good diet and regular exercise to help it function properly and grow strong.

In our passage this weekend, Luke, the physician, is essentially giving a prescription for a healthy church, outlining the diet and exercise that made the early Spirit-filled congregation as vibrant and healthy as it was–a prescription that will help keep our church body healthy and growing, too.

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

What is the most encouraging aspect of this passage for you personally? What do you find most challenging?

With regard to the healthy “diet and exercise” prescription of a local church, which is the greatest strength here at North Highlands? Which is the greatest weakness? How can you help?

How does this passage compel you to pray for your own personal pursuit of Jesus? How does it compel you to pray for our church?

Imagine the scene: the streets of Jerusalem are filled with people from every nation, all gathered for a festival celebrating the harvest God provided them. Suddenly, the sound of a mighty wind rushes through the city, capturing everyone’s attention. Flames of fire appear above the apostles' heads as the Spirit of the Living God fills each one of them, and they begin speaking about God in languages they’ve never known before. Confusion and amazement sweep through the crowd. What is happening? What does this mean?

In that moment, one man steps forward to address the crowd—Peter, the apostle who, just weeks earlier, had denied even knowing Jesus. But now, filled with the Holy Spirit, he boldly stands to answer the burning questions on everyone’s mind. What happened next was a harvest none of them, not even Peter himself, could have expected.

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Questions for Reflection & Discussion

In what ways have you struggled with or been encouraged by Jesus’ identity as the Lord and Christ?

When was the last time you felt "cut to the heart" by the Spirit of God? How did you respond?

How does repentance as “changing your mind” speak to you today? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to change your mind and/or your attitude about Jesus?