Discussion Questions from 01/16/22
Read Acts 19:21-20:1. What words, phrases, or ideas stick out to you? Note these before considering the questions below.
Consider Paul’s multi-year stay in Ephesus and the immense impact it had for the gospel in the region. How do you see this same sort of rooted ministry and impact in our spiritual culture? Can you think of a time when long-term ministry benefited your faith? Where do you have the deepest roots that might have kingdom significance?
One of the main points of conflict that resulted in the Ephesus riot was the intersection of money and idolatry. How does this affect your understanding of the Bible’s teaching regarding money in passages such as 1 Timothy 6:9-10: "9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Ephesus had integrated idolatry to Artemis into their shared cultural identity. What sorts of idolatry do you see integrated into our cultural context? Give as many examples as you can think of.
What are the heart idols that you return to often? What objects of desire are the hardest for you to let go of in the face of the gospel of Jesus? What might change in your life and faith if you were to genuinely forsake these idols? What do you suppose hinders you from doing just that?
What was God telling you this week? What have you done about it?
