(Note: For remote participants and BFG leaders, these questions are meant to be used in conjunction with the pastor’s sermon. Attempting to use these questions absent the sermon’s teaching could lead to unbiblical or unhelpful conclusions.)

Screen Notes

For Kids
In Acts 10:1-43, we're introduced to two men, Cornelius and Peter. God prepared one to receive the gospel and the other to proclaim it.  
 

• How had God prepared Cornelius to hear the gospel? 
• According to the passage, who is excluded from hearing the gospel? 
• Why was it important for Peter to understand that God shows no partiality? 

For Discussion

Sermon Recap 

1. Why did God tell Peter to rise, kill, and eat (Acts 10:13)? Answer in Acts 10:34 
   • What does the connection between Acts 10:13 and 10:34 tell us about the relationship between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible? Leader: Be careful not to let the group negate the OT but help them see that the NT is a fulfilment of the OT.  
     • Can you think of passages in the Old Testament that explain that God would one day include the Gentiles in his kingdom? [see Genesis 12:3; Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 11:10; Amos 9:11–12; Malachi 1:11; and others]   
     • Consider Peter’s sense of propriety before having the vision (Acts 10:14).
2. What ought we learn about God’s ability to upend our social norms? 
   • What cautions ought we take when trying to follow Peter’s example? Leader: Make sure the group understands that it is God that disrupted the social norms, not Peter. We must do all things according to the will of God as it is expressed in his word and must not take it upon ourselves to redefine norms according to our own terms. 

3. How should the fact that God includes Gentiles in his kingdom affect us as Christians today?\
4. What did Cornelius do in expectation of Peter’s arrival (Acts 10:24)?   
   • What does Cornnelius’ example remind us about the gospel message in our lives? Leader: Help remind the group of the great blessing we have in hearing the gospel and encourage them to desire that family and friends to hear it too.  
5. Peter gives a concise recitation of the gospel in Acts 10:39–43.
   • Can someone in the group make the gospel even more concise that Peter without losing any important elements?   
   • If possible, can someone accurately convey the gospel in one sentence? 
   • Why is it important for Christians to be able to explain the gospel briefly while also being able to explain it with much more depth?  
       

Going Deeper-Avoid Universalism
Leader: Have group members look up and read the following passages—John 1:12; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:5; and 1 Timothy 2:5   

1. What do these passages teach us about salvation and/or knowing God? 
2. Acts 10:2 says Cornelius was a “devout man who feared God,” and “prayed continually to God,” seeming to indicate that he truly knew God. Yet, Cornelius had not yet heard about Jesus.  

• How could Cornelius know God without knowing Christ? 
• Is it possible for someone today to have a relationship with God, like Cornelius, without knowing Jesus? If so, how? If not, why not? 
• Leader: A couple of points to keep in mind...  
  Acts 10 is still set relatively early in the formation of the church. It is a unique time in history and many of the occurrences are not meant to be taken as normative. What we see with Cornelius is similar to what we see with faithful OT Jews before they learned of Christ.
   
  Some group members may want to make the case that someone today in a remote area of the world who has not heard the gospel may have a saving faith in God without knowing Christ. Do not let them hold this view. Scripture is clear that salvation is through Christ alone. We must trust in God’s sovereignty and that he will reveal Christ to all he means to save (Romans 10:17; John 6:37).  

Application

1. How might you be tempted to exclude someone from the salvation of Christ?  

2. Is there someone specific you know that you ought to talk to about Jesus that you haven’t?
3. What is a practical way that we can rejoice in the good news of Christ with others who believe in him? (be active in/with the church!)   

Questions are welcome! Post them in the Sermon Discussion group of our WhatsApp chat community.