(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
I. God strengthens his people to live out his grace.
1. In theology (vv. 19–21)
2. In apologetics (v. 22)
3. Against outside difficulty (vv. 23–25)
4. Against inside difficulty (vv. 26–30)
5. In success (v. 31)
II. Christ is the grace of God lived out

•  John 1:17–18
• “[John the Baptist] has borne witness to the truth. . .  the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. . . [the Scriptures] bear witness about me”— John 5:33–39
•  John 10:27–29
• John 10:15–16
•  John 8:28–29

For Kids
In Acts 9:19-31, we see someone who needs to be accepted by good Christian friends. Think about what it means to be accepted by Christ and how we ought to accept one another as fellow Christians.  
 

• Why was the church frightened of Saul? 
• Who became a friend to Saul?  
• How can we welcome new Christians to our church? 

For Discussion

Sermon Recap

• [Leader: Read through Acts 9:19–31 as a group.]
• [Leader: Ask if anyone has any initial thoughts or comments on the passage.]
• Immediately after Saul’s conversion he was baptized, spend time with the disciples in Damascus, and he began to proclaim Jesus (Acts 9:19–20). While this is clearly a description of Saul’s life, what are some first priorities prescribed for any new Christian?
• All who heard Saul preaching were amazed (Acts 9:21). Why were they amazed?
• What are some common reactions today to someone coming to faith in Christ?
• How could such reactions be either an encouragement or a challenge to a new believer?  
• How ought we Christians treat a new believer?
• Saul “confounded” the Jews by proving that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 9:22). Should ordinary Christians feel burdened to “prove” to others that Jesus is the Christ?
• If not, why not? If so, what are the best proofs we can put forth for the truth of Christ?
• Where do you feel strong/weak in proving the truth of Christ to others?
• Saul faced persecution from non-believers (Acts 9:23–25) and rejection from believers (Acts 9:26–27). As Christians, should we expect these kinds of reactions (one or both)?
• Saul ran from persecution. Is this always how Christians should respond?
• How ought a Christian react if he/she has trouble being accepted by a church? 

Going Deeper-accepting/rejecting church members

• Let’s get a better picture of how to know when to accept someone as a Christian and when to treat him/her as a non-Christian.
• [Leader: Have the whole group or members of the group look up Romans 10:9–10 and Matthew 7:16. Have someone read the passages.]
• Based on those two passages, what should we look for when it comes to accepting someone into the church as a Christian? [Leader: As the group talks through the answer, help guide them to the idea that a believer should have a “credible testimony of faith” in that they should confess Christ as Lord and they should live as if Christ is their Lord.]
• What happens if a church accepts someone as a Christian without a credible testimony of faith?
• [Leader: Have the whole group or a member of the group look up Matthew 18:15–17. Have someone read the passage.]
• What is the purpose of this passage?
• According to Jesus, how are Christians supposed to treat someone who claims to be Christian but fails to live according to Christ’s commands? [Leader: If needed, reference 1 Cor. 5:1–13 and/or Titus 3:10–11.]
• Based on everything we just read, how does a church know when to accept or reject someone as a church member?

Application

• First Baptist of Woodbridge adds new members regularly. How can you (that is you, personally, not someone else, not a program ) help a new member assimilate well into the body? Is there a new member you know of that you can help?  
•  What loving action can you take if you know of a church member who doesn’t seem to be living for Christ? Is there a church member with whom you need to take this action?
• How can this group build one another up in faithfulness?

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