Big Idea: Let the Word of God shape you, the Spirit strengthen you, and repentance free you. How Do We Experience Transforming Power? 1. Let the Word of God Shape You (vv. 8–10) 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Acts 19:8-10 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV) 2. Let the Holy Spirit Strengthen You (Acts 19:11–16) 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 [One day] the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Acts 19:11-16 (NIV) After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn't we drive it out?” 29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Mark 9:28-29 (NIV) Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) 3. Let Repentance Free You (vv. 17–20) 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. Acts 19:17-20 (NIV) "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19 (NASB) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NIV) What do I need to delete, burn, or walk away from so Jesus alone reigns in my life? My Next Right Steps, I Will: Accept Jesus As My Savior and Lord Be baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ Volunteer to help at our Kids Fall Festival October 25 from 4 to 6pm Sign up for the Weekend To Remember Marriage Retreat Nov. 21-23 TALK IT OVER Welcome & Prayer: Invite God’s Spirit to guide the discussion. Big Idea: Let the Word shape you, the Spirit strengthen you, and repentance free you. Icebreaker: Share about a time you had to throw something away or give something up—even though it was hard—because you knew it would be better for you. Scripture Reading (5 minutes) Read Acts 19:8–20 aloud (one reader or split among a few). Discussion (35 minutes) How Do We Experience Transforming Power? 1. Let the Word of God Shape You (vv. 8–10) How did Paul respond to the rejection of those in the synagogue? Share how God’s Word has shaped you. In what area of your life do you need to let the Word shape you more deeply? 2. Let the Holy Spirit Strengthen You (vv. 11–16) Why do you think Luke included the story of the seven sons of Sceva? How can we tell the difference between authentic spiritual power and counterfeit spirituality? Where do you need to rely less on your own effort and more on the Spirit’s strengthening power? 3. Let Repentance Free You (vv. 17–20) What is remarkable about the public burning of scrolls in Ephesus? What modern “idols” or distractions might God be calling us to lay down or “burn”? In what ways does repentance bring freedom rather than restriction? Closing Reflection Which part of the Big Idea speaks most to you this week: letting the Word of God shape you, the Spirit strengthen you, or repentance free you? Why? What’s one step you can take this week to live that out? Prayer (10 minutes) Pray for courage to let God’s Word confront and shape us. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower us. Confess and release anything holding us back, so repentance can free us.