__largepreview__.webp)
Sermon Discussion Guide - 05/10/2026
Published May 9, 2026
What Following Jesus Was Meant To Be:
The Routine is the Point
Sermon Recap
This sermon walks through Acts 1 and shows the disciples standing in an in-between moment after Jesus’ resurrection and before their mission begins. The big idea is that following Jesus always moves us forward, sometimes through formation, sometimes through mission, but never by staying frozen where we are.
Jesus prepares His people before He sends them, but preparation was never meant to become the endpoint. The call is to trust Him enough to take the next step, even when we do not have all the answers.
Ice Breakers
- If you had to pack a suitcase in five minutes, what important thing would you most likely forget?
- What is the most ridiculous thing you have ever packed for a trip?
- If you could go anywhere for a long weekend with no responsibilities, where would you go?
Discussion Questions
1. When was a time you felt like you were making progress, even though no one else could really see it?
- Context: In Acts 1, Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples after the resurrection, teaching them and preparing them before sending them out. The sermon emphasized that Jesus is not reckless with His people; He forms them before He sends them.
- Application: Where might Jesus be forming you right now, and how can you lean into that instead of rushing past it?
2. Have you ever had to wait for something important, even though you wanted to move faster?
- Context: Jesus told the disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Their waiting was not laziness or fear; it was active obedience because they were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do.
- Application: How can you tell the difference between waiting in obedience and using “waiting” as a way to avoid what God has already made clear?
3. What happened when you had to take a step without knowing exactly how everything would work out?
- Context: The disciples wanted clarity about the kingdom, but Jesus did not give them the timeline or all the details. Instead, He gave them a mission: to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
- Application: Where are you asking God for certainty when He may already be asking you for obedience?
4. Can you think of a small decision someone made that ended up making a big difference in your life?
- Context: The sermon included the example of one person inviting Dallas's family to church in 1993, which eventually shaped the direction of his life and ministry. The point was that obedience may not feel impressive in the moment, but its impact can reach far beyond what we see.
- Application: What small act of obedience might Jesus be nudging you toward right now, even if you may never see the full result?
5. Have you ever wanted to hold onto a meaningful moment instead of moving into what came next?
- Context: After Jesus ascended, the disciples stood looking into the sky. The angels asked why they were still looking up, reminding them that moments of awe are good, but they are meant to lead us forward.
- Application: Where might you be “standing still” spiritually; because of comfort, fear, nostalgia, uncertainty, or the weight of responsibility?
Prayer
- Make sure to spend time in prayer as a group when you meet.
- Have group members share prayer requests, and pray for them.
- You could have one person pray for all the requests, or each member pray for one person.
- Keep a record of those requests and ask about them on a weekly basis.