Table Talk: The Way Forward - Week Five
THE WAY FORWARD: Discovering the Spirit's Path in Acts
Here’s a short description of our current sermon series.
In this exhilarating series, we'll embark on a journey through the book of Acts, tracing the footsteps of the early church and witnessing the extraordinary ways the Holy Spirit empowered and guided its formation. We'll delve into the Spirit's role in equipping the disciples with boldness and supernatural gifts, leading them to unprecedented growth and impact. By studying their sensitivity to the Spirit's promptings, we'll uncover timeless principles for how he might be leading us to lay the next bricks of the 21st-century church in Memphis. This journey promises to ignite our faith, deepen our dependence on the Spirit, and inspire us to be a Spirit-led community that reflects God's love and power to the world around us. Join us as we discover how the lessons of those who went before us can empower us to bring renewal to God’s good world today.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE - Listening Prayer
We believe that Jesus’ teaching is more than just knowledge for our minds (though it is certainly that). It should transform our actions. By living out - or practicing - the ways of Jesus, we are being shaped into a people who look more and more like Him.
The Holy Spirit invites us to not only bring our requests before the Lord, but to have an intimate relationship with Him, to spend time with Him and listen to His voice. As we have seen in the book of Acts, early Christians spent time with God in prayer and obeyed the Spirit’s promptings. It takes time and practice to attune our hearts to hear God’s voice, and to discern His leading from our own
thoughts or ideas. Whether you are just beginning to practice listening prayer or have a lot of experience, time spent in God’s presence is never wasted. Here is a simple practice that we encourage you to do on your own over the next 6 weeks (adapted from Practicing the Way). *Parents and caregivers, our “Teaching Kids to PRAY” resource is available upon request. This resource can help you teach your children to both talk to and listen to God in prayer.
Breathe - Take a minute or two to just breathe slowly and deeply, calming your mind and body. You may want to simply pray, “Come Holy Spirit” as you inhale and exhale each breath.
Silence - Ask God to silence the voice of the enemy in your mind, to shield your imagination, and guard you from distraction.
Ask the Spirit to speak to you.
Open your mind and heart to listen - 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us our body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit within you has direct access to your imagination. Wait quietly with a surrendered heart. He may come to you in a:
Word or phrase
Scripture
Thought
Picture in your mind
Feeling in your heart
Sensation in your body
Don’t judge yourself or God, even if nothing comes. Time spent in God’s presence is never wasted, and we can have faith that He is working, even when we don’t feel or see it. Our job is to be present to God and to listen for his voice when He desires to speak to us.
Test whatever you “hear” against Scripture, and in community. If God’s word to you was directional, obey. Go do what he said!
PRAY
You can pray this prayer daily during the sermon series, or use it as a closing for table conversations each week.
Holy Spirit, Jesus said that it was better for him to go away, that you would come and live in us. Forgive us for the times when we have relied on our own power and strength, instead of putting our trust in you alone. We ask that you would increase our faith, and we humbly pray that you would use us to grow your kingdom. Give us ears to hear your voice, faith to believe that you are always working for your glory and our good, and the courage to obey your call. Thank you for being ever-present with us.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Week Five: Facing the Storm: The Spirit’s Endurance
SERMON SUMMARY The Holy Spirit empowers believers to endure persecution and opposition. The early church faced imprisonment, beatings, and even martyrdom, but the Spirit sustained them and enabled them to remain faithful. This includes Paul and Silas's imprisonment and the opposition they faced in various cities.
Conversation Starters
Kids
Have you ever talked about Jesus with someone else? Maybe a friend, teacher, or family member? The Bible is full of stories of men and women who shared the good news of Jesus with other people. Sometimes people were excited to hear about Jesus. But sometimes people were angry. This still happens today. We are very blessed to live in a place where we can freely talk about Jesus with others. Some Christians around the world are not treated nicely when they share about the Bible and God’s love. We can pray for the Christians in those places to be strong in their faith, and we can pray that God’s good news is shared. Let’s pray now for Christians to be able to share about God’s love in those hard places, and for the Holy Spirit to give them peace and comfort.
Students
When we look at the opposition that the early church faced, it is pretty inspiring. From its very beginning, the Christian church has grown and thrived in hard places. How often, if ever, do you think about Christians around the world who face persecution for their faith? Have you heard any stories about that? Have you ever experienced, or seen someone close to you experience, persecution for their faith in Jesus? Let’s pray for the gospel to reach these hard places in the world, and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen Christians in those places. (NOTE: You can find suggestions for specific places and people to pray for in the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) app.)
Adults
How often do you consider and pray for the persecuted church around the world? In our culture of 24/7 news, with a major slant toward negativity, we can experience compassion fatigue. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can remember and pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Have you, or someone you know, experienced persecution for your faith in Jesus? (NOTE: You can find suggestions for specific places and people to pray for in the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) app.)
