8.8.21 - Breaking Chains

Service Video, Message Notes, & Community Group Guide

MESSAGE NOTES

Breaking Chains - Acts 12:1-19

Key 1: God Is In Control (vs 1-4)

• God has not vacated the throne
• In the midst of the chaos in our life, He is still in control

Key 2: Pray Earnestly (vs 5)

• The church prayed earnestly (sincerely and intensely) for Peter
• They were specific in their request
• They prayed to God (not to impress people)
• Don’t copy how others pray, have a conversation with God
• They prayed as a Church (pray as a Community Group and Individually)

Key 3: God deals with our enemies.  “Vengeance is mine; I will repay says the Lord” Romans 12:19

• Just as the angel of Passover brought death, Herod orders the prison guards to be killed and is later struck down himself for his pride.
• God saves Peter, like he saved Israel.  He does this to show that his faithfulness and power are still at work as they were in the Exodus. 
• We don’t need to take on our enemies
• Peter did not retaliate against Herod and try to kill him.  God took care of that on His own and Peter surrendered that to Him.
• Peter was focused on his mission and purpose.  Persecution was part of the journey, but Peter knew what was the prize at the end.

---

Crossroads Community Group Guide

Click here to join a Community Group! (All groups meet online.)

A. Welcome

B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Way Maker

D. Announcements

• Weekly Resources on Crossroads Facebook Page

• Daily Devotional Video: The Encouraging Word with Pastor Willie

• Events: Crossroads Website

E. Review

1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?

2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

F. Opening Question: What is one big answer to prayer that you did not expect?

G. Background Information

The early Christians were persecuted by the Jews and Romans. By the time of Acts 12, Stephen had already been stoned to death and James, one of the leaders, had been killed by having his head cut off. Now Peter was arrested and put in prison. As you go through this true account, put yourself in the story and see how you would have felt and what you would have thought. Apply what you learn to situations you are facing right now.

H. Word: Acts 12:1-19

1. What key words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

I. Discuss the following general questions together.

1. What catches your attention in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus, or Holy Spirit) from the story?

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

J. Commitment - Obedience - Application: What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?

K. Prayer Time:

1. Pray for new people by name who you want to join your group.

2. Pray for your group to multiply.

3. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. Divide into 2 groups, for male and female.

L. For Next time: Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group for next week.