Respond Guide is a flexible guide for our church to use all week long, in personal study, with family, and in community groups. Its questions are designed for everyone and can be used multiple times, often leading to different conversations and fresh insight in each setting. The same guide can shape three distinct experiences as God meets you personally, in your home, and in biblical community.
Summary
On Sunday, Pastor Reilly McCleskey taught from Acts 19:11-41 as we continued looking at what it means to be a Ready Church. We saw God working in unexpected ways through Paul in Ephesus, reminding us that God is not limited to the ways we expect Him to work. Our part is not to decide how God should use us, but to stay surrendered and available to Him.
We also saw what real transformation can cost. When the Ephesian believers turned to Jesus, they did not simply add Him to the lives they were already living. They brought out the things connected to their old way of life and burned them. Their surrender was visible, costly, and complete. This Sunday we were challenged to consider where we may still be conforming to the world rather than allowing Christ to transform us. And we were reminded that one of the clearest ways God uses ordinary people is through the gospel. As lives are changed by Jesus, that transformation begins to ripple into families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities.
Key Verses
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Acts 19:11-12
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Acts 19:13-16
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Acts 19:18-19
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Romans 12:2
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1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Questions
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God used something as ordinary as Paul’s work cloths in an extraordinary way. Where have you seen God use something ordinary or unexpected to accomplish His purposes?
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Pastor Reilly reminded us that surrender means allowing God to use us however He chooses, not simply in the ways we imagine. What expectations about how God should use you might be difficult to release?
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The sons of Sceva wanted the power associated with Jesus without actually belonging to Him. Where is the line between following Jesus and simply wanting Jesus to improve the life we already want?
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Romans 12 tells us not to conform to the world but to be transformed. Where is it easiest for Christians in our culture to conform without even realizing it?
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The believers in Ephesus burned things that represented their former way of life. What might costly, visible repentance look like for a follower of Jesus today?
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The gospel changed so many lives in Ephesus that it eventually affected the city’s economy. What does that tell us about the way personal transformation can begin to change a community?
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Paul did not build his ministry around attacking Artemis or condemning the people of Ephesus. He faithfully proclaimed Jesus. How should that shape the way we engage a culture we may disagree with?
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Think about the people God has already placed around you. Where might He be asking you to stop waiting for the perfect opportunity and simply begin pointing someone toward Jesus?
Life Application
This week, ask God to show you one area where you may be holding onto something that keeps you from full surrender to Him. Name it honestly and take one concrete step toward letting it go. Then think of one person God has already placed in your life and look for a simple opportunity to move toward them, listen well, and point them toward Jesus.
Key Takeaways
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God can use ordinary people and ordinary things in unexpected ways
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Surrender means being available for God’s purposes, not asking Him to fit ours
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Following Jesus brings real transformation, not simply spiritual addition
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Repentance sometimes requires us to let go of things we have grown comfortable keeping
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The gospel changes individuals, and changed lives can begin to change whole communities
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Our responsibility is to faithfully point people to Jesus and trust Him with the transformation
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that You do not leave us as we are. Show us where we have become comfortable with things that keep us from fully surrendering to You. Give us courage to let go of what needs to go and trust You with what comes next. Make us available to You in the ordinary places of our lives, and use us to point the people around us toward Jesus. May the gospel transform our hearts, our homes, our church, and our community. In Your name we pray, amen.