CREW OUTLINE
WHAT’S ON AT MY CITY?!
Have all group members open up the church center app to register for events.
rally nite
05.21.25
6:30
My City HQ
crew change
05.28.25
My City HQ
All CREWs meeting at one location
summer Internship
06.03.25
My City HQ
Ask a leader for more information
ICEBREAKER
Would you rather spend 40 days in the wilderness like Jesus, or live on Noah’s ark for 1 year with 2 of every animal?
SCRIPTURE
ACTS 8:13-24
13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
KEY POINTS
True faith requires a personal encounter with God, not just church attendance
Building one's life on encounters with Jesus, not just church experiences
Warning against false or superficial faith that doesn't lead to transformation
Repentance is crucial for genuine faith and spiritual growth
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What are some of the distractions in life that make it hard to hear God’s Voice? What are some ways that we can shut out the “distractions” around us?
Pastor Eli talks about building our faith on encounters with Jesus rather than on church programs or experiences. How can we ensure our faith is built on the right foundation?
What do you do when you have doubts about your faith? How can we help each other on our faith journey?
Pastor Eli warns against treating church as a social club rather than a training ground. How can we shift our perspective to view church as a place for spiritual preparation and growth?