Encounter at Illinois State University / ISU

Peter gives us a reminder that our true home is heaven.  If that’s true, how do we go about living in a place that isn’t our home? (I Peter 2:11-12, I Peter 2:4, Eph 2:19-22, Gen 15:13, Ex 2:22, Matt 8:20, Rev 21:3, Jn 1:1-5, Jn 1:14, Jn 13:15, Jn 17:13-18, Matt 5:13, Matt 5:14)

We come to God as living stones of a house, built on the cornerstone of Christ. You’re building a life this year. Pay attention to where you build it, what you’re building with, and the foundation you’re building on. And why. ( I Peter 2:4)

Paul’s “defense” in Acts 22 provides a beautiful glimpse into how we can share Christ with others.  One of the most powerful ways to share the Gospel involves knowing our own story and speaking it. (Acts 22:1-16, I Peter 3:15-16, I Jn 4:10, Rom 8:5-6, Pr 14:12, Is 53:6, Matt 16:24, John 9, Acts 1:8)

In the end of Acts 18, we see Apollos teaching in a way that doesn’t fully represent the Gospel, and Priscilla and Aquila take him aside to help sharpen his gifts and help him become exactly who he needs to be. Proverbs tells us that “wounds from a friend can be trusted.” What does the Bible say about confrontation? How do we handle speaking difficult and tender truth? (Acts 18:2...

When Paul arrives in Athens, he is invited to share the story of God with a very different group of people.  What lessons can we glean from Paul on what it means to interact with people who are completely unfamiliar with Jesus? (Acts 17:16-34, John 17:14-18, I Peter 2:9-12, Phil 3:20, Matt 26:53, Luke 19:10, Matt 5:14-16, John 1:14, Rev 21:3)

Do we know the scriptures well enough to know when things are said that aren’t true? Do we examine the Scriptures to see if what we hear is true? What is our source of Truth? How do we understand it? (Acts 17:1-15)

Paul and Silas, beaten and thrown into prison, sing their songs to the Lord.  What does this teach us about the difference between pleasure, happiness, and joy? (James 1:17, Acts 16:16-40, James 1:17, Rom 15:13, John 15:9-11, Gal 5:22)

We think of idols as remnants of ancient civilizations, and yet each of us has a heart that is quick to produce them.  How can we recognize this worthless form of worship for what it is? (Isaiah 44:9-20, Acts 14, Ex 32:19-20, Ps 144:2, Ps 139:1, Ps 56:8, Jer 31:3, Col 3:1-5, I Cor 11:1, Ps 121)

The people of God earnestly pray for Peter and he is miraculously rescued from prison.  But how do we live in a world where we do not always see an immediate healing or resolution when we pray?  Dr. Cedric Williams joins us for a conversation where we explore how this overlaps the world of mental health. (Acts 12:1-17, Matt 7:7-8a, James 5:16, Matt 17:20, 2 Cor 12:7-10, John 16:33)

Barnabas might not be a flashy superstar in the New Testament, but his strong influence in Paul’s life is a great reminder of how we help others become who God has called them to be. (Acts 11:19-30, Acts 4:36, Acts 9:27, Acts 12:25, Prov 27:9, Gal 5:22ff, Matt 7:1-5, Acts 15:36-40, Gal 2:11-15, 2 Tim 4:11)

Winter Retreat- Session 4- Sunday AM

Winter Retreat- Session 3- Saturday PM

Winter Retreat- Session 2- Saturday AM

Winter Retreat- Session 1- Friday PM

When God invited the Gentiles into His Kingdom, He taught Peter about loving those who are different than him. What is He teaching US through the Scriptures that record Peter’s interaction with Cornelius? (Acts 10:34 – 48)    

When Saul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus, it challenges everything about his life and requires a 180 degree change.  Do I believe that the same Jesus who transformed Saul can transform me? (Acts 9:1-30, Acts 22:3, Phil 3:4-9, 2 Cor 5:17, Rom 8:28, Rev 2:17)  

In Acts 8, the Church is spreading like a true wildfire.  As the religious rulers try to slow the fire’s spread, God is breathing life into it.  When God tells Ananias to go find Saul in Acts 9, we gain insight into obedience, suffering, and the mystery of God’s holy work in our world. (Acts 9:1-22, Acts 5:34-39, Acts 1:8, Acts 8, Jn 5:30, Prov 15:22, Phil 3:5-11, 2 Cor 11:24-27, 2 Cor 12:9, Mk 4:...

In Acts 8, Philip the evangelist helps us understand how to join God in His work of others hearing the Good News of Jesus. (Is 9:2, Is 53, Acts 26-39, Luke 4:16-21, Rom 1:16, I Cor 3:4-7, Eph 2:10)

Persecution often shows faith for what it really is, as the light is always brighter in the darkness. Those who were scattered preach the Gospel as they go, and people like Simon the Sorcerer come to know Christ. (Acts 8:1-25)

The new Church is growing, and is experiencing fracturing/complaints. The wisdom from the apostles becomes delegation. Why is this important to the life of the church and the empowerment of its members? How can we lead in our own contexts knowing that Jesus has given us permission and empowerment to do so? (Acts 6:1-7)

An abrupt and devastating moment happens in the early Church when sin enters the community and death quickly follows behind it.  Why does God deal so harshly with this particular act of dishonesty? (Acts 4:32-5:11, Jer 32:7, Ps 92:15, Ps 143:10, Ps 33:5, Ps 100:4-5, I Jn 1:5, 2 Tim 2:13, Titus 1:2, I Jn 3:20, James 1:13, Rom 6:23, James 1:15, Is 9:18, Is 55:8, Rom 6:11-14, Jn 16:8, James 5:16, Pro...

Peter and John were confronted by the counsel. What does it mean that we must obey God rather than men? How do we know when we are supposed to listen to governing authorities vs when we need to intentionally disobey? (Acts 4:1-22, Acts 5:17-41, 1 Peter 2:13-15)

A crippled beggar is healed by Peter at the temple.  Of the people present, some are ecstatic, others are indifferent, and some are even angry.  Do we have the faith for ask God to miraculously move, and the eyes to see it when He does? (Acts 3:1-4:4, Matt 13:13-15, Mk 8:17-18, Matt 13:22-33, Jn 14:12-14, Mk 10:13-16, Lk 5:18-26, Mk 9:22-24, Jn 17:1, Jn 3:30)

How can we step into life with God, rather than letting Him be on the outside? (Colossians 4:2-6, Acts 2:31-33, Acts 2:42-47)

As the New Testament Church gets rolling, incredible public revival becomes the natural result of deep personal surrender. (Acts 2:42-47, Rev 21:2-4, Eph 5:25-27, Acts 2:31-38, I Peter 3:21-22, 2 Cor 9:7-8, Mark 12:41-44, Jn 17:20-23, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Isaiah 29:13, Matt 6:21)