Acts: When Diversity Disrupts
Ever tried cleaning while the kids are still in the house? That’s what it felt like in the early church – it was beautiful for a moment and then chaos crashed in. In this week’s message from Robyn Elliott, we see in Acts 6 how Jesus’ vision for ekklesia – a people, not a place – was always meant to be messy, diverse, and radically inclusive. The Spirit empowers us not for control, but for compassion … for the good of others.
Discussion Questions:
1. Jesus chose the word ekklesia to describe God’s church – a people, not a place. How has your understanding of “church” been shaped more by buildings or institutions than by community and mission?
2. The early church faced its first real threat, not from outside persecution, but from internal prejudice. Where have you seen subtle (or not-so-subtle) favouritism or exclusion in Christian communities? Do you think you’ve ever contributed to it, knowingly or unknowingly?
3. In Acts 6, people from a different cultural group were overlooked in food distribution but Jesus’ mission included good news to the poor. Who today might be overlooked in our community, our neighbourhood, or even right here at Lakeside? What would practical good news look like to the poor in your life or community right now and what small part could you play in that?
4. Hospitality and serving practical needs were elevated to acts of worship. Do you tend to see spiritual value in things like hospitality, cooking, organizing, or caring for others? Why or why not?
5. God has already given the ekklesia everything it needs to take the next step. What might Jesus be calling you to do next? Where are you serving at Lakeside or in your community, or where can you get involved?
6. The church is meant to reflect radical diversity and wide embrace. How comfortable are you with discomfort? What blind spots might you have when it comes to welcoming difference? And how do we continue to welcome diversity at Lakeside?
7. In the midst of conflict and change, the Spirit still moved, and the movement kept growing. What’s one way God might be working in the mess of your life or Lakeside right now?
8. This week, take some time to pray this prayer: Spirit of God, give me power for people, especially the ones I wouldn’t normally see.