What is Love? – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms Love (agape) – Unlike English, Greek has several different words for love and the word used throughout 1 Corinthians 13 is agape. This word for love is distinct from romantic love (eros) or friendship love (philia). Agape love has its source in God (1 Jn 3:16, 4:7-8). Tongues, prophetic powers, and…

Read More

Before the Face of God – Acts 9:1-19: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms Letters from the high priest – Paul asks for letters from the high priest in an apparent attempt to establish his authority to arrest Christians outside of Jerusalem. The Way – A term used to describe Christians in the 1st century; Luke uses similar terms such as the way of salvation…

Read More

The Gospel Confronts and Comforts – Acts 8:9-40: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms Simon the Magician – A man living in Samaria who had gained great recognition for the magic he performed; magicians in the 1st century operated most commonly by illusion, but the NT also suggests that Satan can empower people to perform false magic that distracts from Jesus (Mt 24:24; 1 Thes…

Read More

A Surprising Way to Advance – Acts 8:1-8: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms Saul (Paul) – Saul, who later goes by Paul, was first mentioned in the book of Acts to end chapter 7 as overseeing Stephen’s execution, and is now responsible for ravaging the church and imprisoning many men and women (v. 3). Paul later goes on to become a Christian, help spread…

Read More

Equip Night Video | Parenting: Discipling Your Kids

A practical parenting discussion that lays a framework for parenting marked by the grace of God. Audra Swindell is a parent of two with a degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and is the Minister of Equipping and Women at Redemption Church. Nan Lawrence is a parent of four, with a master’s degree in counseling from…

Read More

Full of Faith and Spirit – Acts 6:8-7:60: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms Covenant of circumcision – A term used to refer to the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 17 that Abraham would have a son with Sarah and become the father of a multitude of nations; circumcision was a sign to the people of this promise. Son of Man – A…

Read More

Heroes in the Church – Acts 6:1-15: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms Hellenists – Jews whose families had previously lived outside of Jerusalem, and therefore spoke Greek and were largely influenced by Greek culture, but who were now living in Jerusalem. Daily distribution – Only mentioned in Acts 6:1, but evidently a regular practice of the Early Church to care for widows, who…

Read More

The Hero of the Church – Acts 5:12-42: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms An angel of the Lord – Greek angelos kyriou (“a messenger of the Lord”); although the word angelos simply means “messenger,” in the New Testament the term angelos kyriou always refers to angels, not merely human messengers. Gamaliel – A prominent Pharisee who was a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish…

Read More

Built Up or Broken Down? – Acts 4:32-5:11: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Key Terms The resurrection of the Lord Jesus – A historical event in which Jesus was raised from the dead. This event is central to the teaching of the apostles in the book of Acts (see Acts 1:22, 2:31, 4:33, 23:6, & 26:23). One heart and soul – The first century Greco-Roman hearer…

Read More