When Their Story Becomes Your Story | Dan Deeble | A2 Revolution
Teaching Notes
“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained...”
Proverbs 29:18
YOU ARE THE CHURCH.
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.
Acts 16:6-11
“When they came to the border...After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once…”
Acts 16:7, 10
WHEN “THEIR STORY” BECOMES YOUR STORY, you shift from OBSERVATION TO OWNERSHIP.
From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatiranamed Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Acts 16:12-15
The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. (Acts 16:14)
WHEN “THEIR STORY” BECOMES YOUR STORY, you shift from INFORMATION TO INTIMACY.
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Acts 16:16-24
WHEN “THEIR STORY” BECOMES YOUR STORY, you shift from ACTIVITY TO ADVENTURE.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Acts 16:25-34
WHEN “THEIR STORY” BECOMES YOUR STORY, you shift from FOREIGNERS to FAMILY.
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Going Deeper
1. In your life, describe the moment where “their faith” (e.g. your parent’s, your spouse, etc) became your faith? If you’re not sure, simply share who’s faith you most admire.
2. Whose story in Acts 16 do you most connect to?
Luke’s shift from Observation to Ownership?
Lydia’s shift from Information to Intimacy?
Everyone’s shift from Activity to Adventure?
The Jailor’s shift from Foreign to Family?
3. How connected do you feel right now to the A2 Revolution and/or Westside’s A2 Community initiative? What description below best fits you and why?
Ecstatic
Enthusiastic
Curious
Resistant
Confused
4. What do you need to help you take your next step?
Sunday Set List
There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do- Passion Music
Control- Mitch Langley
Peace Be Still- The Belonging Co
The Blessing- Elevation Worship
Be sure to follow our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!