Alan Frow // Acts 21:8-14
1. Philip the evangelist and his daughters used their family stability to offer gracious hospitality to strangers - the controversial Paul, the unknown Luke and mysterious Agabus. Talk about how this connects with Jesus teaching on enemy and neighbor love in Matthew 5 and how He might be calling you to offer hospitality to either strangers or those with whom you are estranged.
2. Agabus the prophet brought a foreboding prophetic drama
About Paul being imprisoned if he went to Jerusalem. Everyone except Paul interpreted this as the Spirit saying that he shouldn’t go. Talk about the power and complexity of the prophetic, why it’s vital and yet difficult to interpret and apply. What are some wise Biblical ways of weighing up the prophetic. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20)
3. As parents we need to recognize the transitions we need to make in our approach as our children get older. This means that we allow other followers of the Way to help shape our children. Philip was wisely allowing both Paul and Agabus to shape his daughters view of the prophetic and mission of Christ. Talk about who else shapes your children in helpful ways and thank God for them.
4. Once Paul had spoken about his willingness to follow the Lord Jesus
to imprisonment and even death, his companions stopped trying to persuade him to stay, saying”let the will go the Lord be done.” How can we be a community that encourages one another to follow Jesus as Lord more?
