Scripture/Text: Acts 14:8-20; This week's sermon from Acts 14:8-20 argues that the stories we consume shape our souls, and our instinctive reactions throughout our lives reveal what we truly worship. Just as ancient Lystra's souls were shaped by Greek mythology, modern people are still being shaped by these narratives like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Acts 14 presents a contrast between two fundamental stories: the fickle Greek gods who always demand sacrifice versus the Lord Jesus Christ, the loving Creator who offers Himself as a self-sacrifice. This message of the gospel offers us the very best story: we are failures who are rescued through Jesus' death and resurrection. Therefore, we must carefully curate the stories we tell, hear, listen to, or watch.

Sermon Outline

• Scene 1: Acts 14:8-13
• Scene 2: Acts 14:14-18
• Scene 3: Acts 14:19-20

Discussion Questions

• How does your life reveal which story, or stories, are shaping you?
• How do your reactions to life expose who or what you truly worship?
• What hope does God's power to heal and raise the dead give us for both our bodies and souls?
• In what ways is the story of Acts 14:8-20 actively shaping your life and faith right now?
• How have people responded when you have pointed them away from idols and toward Jesus? How did that affect you?
• When challenges arise, do you notice a pattern of responding with faith or with fear? What do you think shapes that response?
• How do you typically respond to failure or suffering? How does this passage teach us to respond differently?
• Are there competing stories in your life that are shaping you more than God's story? What gives those stories their power?
• How does your response to praise or affirmation reveal the object of your worship?
• How do your everyday reactions to success, disappointment, conflict, or comfort reveal what you value most?
• How has someone lovingly confronted or redirected you when you were tempted to worship something other than God? How does that encourage you to do the same for others?
• In what ways does your life show whether it is centered on the resurrection of Jesus or something else?
• How does the story of Acts 14 point you to Jesus, and how should it shape the way you live this week?