Acts (The Church Gets Messy): God Moves in the Mess
When everything goes wrong, or everything falls apart, God still moves in the middle of the mess. In this message, Johanna Kelly walks us through the first verses of Acts 8 where we see how tragedy leads to transformation as the church is scattered and the gospel reaches new people. Even in conflict, division, and messy motivations, God is at work bringing healing, redemption, and hope.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever experienced a time when everything went wrong or fell apart at once? How did you see (or not see) God at work in the midst of that chaos?
- Acts 8 shows God moving through scattered people. In what ways have you seen growth, healing, or new direction come out of personal disruption or tragedy?
- Philip stepped into unfamiliar, uncomfortable places (like Samaria). When have you been invited to step into spaces of division, discomfort, or difference? What did that stretch in you?
- Simon wanted spiritual power for personal gain. Where do we try to “buy God?” Where is our relationship transactional? Maybe we think if we give generously, God will reward us financially, or if we pray long enough or hard enough, we’ll get what we want. Or maybe we “shop” for God in the church we choose, preferring convenience, comfort, or polished production over truth and transformation.
- Peter helps Simon see what he couldn’t see on his own. Who in your life has helped you see something important about yourself? How did you respond?
- Johanna said, “A life together is a life of conflict.” Does this ring true for you in your experience with church, family, or friendships? How do you usually respond to relational messiness? Do you lean in, or pull away?