Acts of Leadership Discussion Questions

Week 7: Your Story to Tell
Pastor Rick Henderson             November 8-9, 2025

The study guide is designed for your individual use throughout the week to get you thinking about the Bible passage and offers ideas for spiritual practices you might consider trying. These discussion questions are designed to help you further process aspects of the passage, as presented in the sermon, with your group.

Week 7 Small Group Questions

Icebreaker: Think of a time when you loved something so much that you told everyone about it and tried to convince them to experience it too. What was it, why did you love it so much and how did it go promoting it to others?

1. What is the difference between honor and flattery?

2. Rick emphasized that honoring someone doesn’t mean you agree with everything they say or do. How is honoring a non-believer part of our witness to them?

3. What would it look like for us, today, to honor people in our lives who don’t know Jesus?

4. One of the best ways to share the Gospel is to tell our own story of coming to faith. Why is that such an easy and effective approach?

5. What does it mean to be a “non-anxious presence,” and how can we become that kind of person?

6. Is there anything else from the passage that you found impactful, confusing or challenging that you want to discuss?

Week 7 Small Group Questions - Annotated

Icebreaker: Think of a time when you loved something so much that you told everyone about it and tried to convince them to experience it too. What was it, why did you love it so much and how did it go promoting it to others?

• Could be a song, band, movie, food, restaurant, vacation destination…

1. What is the difference between honor and flattery?
   • “Honor is about dignity and respect.”
   • Flattery is about currying favor with someone who has wealth, power or something you want, and it could cost you your integrity.

2. Rick emphasized that honoring someone doesn’t mean you agree with everything they say or do. How is honoring a non-believer part of our witness to them?
   • We don’t have to tell people they are wrong or focus on where we disagree.
   • When we honor people, we tell them we value them, that they have intrinsic dignity (because they are image-bearers of God just like we are) and are worthy of respect.
   • This can set the groundwork for a relationship and future opportunities to share on a deeper level, including sharing your testimony.

3. What would it look like for us, today, to honor people in our lives who don’t know Jesus?
   • Rick’s example: invite them over for dinner.
   • Express appreciation or encourage them; meet their needs; pursue them.

4. One of the best ways to share the Gospel is to tell our own story of coming to faith. Why is that such an easy and effective approach?

• • Because we know it by heart.
  • It can’t really be disputed since it’s our own lived experience.
  • If told using the structure Rick shared, it’s easy to follow:
    • My life and my way of thinking before following Jesus.
    • What convinced me to trust and follow Jesus?
    • The impact and change that it’s made.
  • It focuses on what convinced me, rather than trying to convince you.

5. What does it mean to be a “non-anxious presence,” and how can we become that kind of person?
   • Jesus was intentional but relaxed.
   • Paul could offer a defense (offering clarity) without being defensive (avoiding criticism)
   • “A non-anxious person understands who they are in Christ.”

6. Is there anything else from the passage that you found impactful, confusing or challenging that you want to discuss?