Acts (The Church Gets Messy): The Scandal of the Spirit
Acts 10 is a turning point – not just for the early church, but for how we understand God’s radical vision of inclusion. When Peter crosses the threshold into Cornelius’ home, everything changes: the boundaries of who belongs are shattered. In this message from Robyn Elliott, we explore what God is up to when the church gets messy, uncomfortable, and beautifully diverse.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think it means to ask, “What is God up to?” in our current moment, space, and community? How might that question shift our focus from programs or traditions to people and presence?
- In Acts 10, Peter’s worldview was shattered by a vision from God. Has there ever been a moment when God challenged something you always believed to be true? How did you respond? Did it lead you toward inclusion or resistance?
- Cornelius was an outsider who embodied the heart of the faith but wasn’t accepted by the community. Who are the “Corneliuses” in our world today? What boundaries (spoken or unspoken) might be keeping them out?
- Peter crossed a literal and symbolic threshold when he entered Cornelius’ house. Can you think of a time you were called to cross a personal or social boundary for the sake of love or unity? What held you back- or what pushed you forward?
- How can we discern whether what we’re hearing is truly from God? And how do we test this in community?
- What does it mean for you personally to “share a table” with someone who sees or lives life very differently?