Respond Guide is a flexible guide for our church to use all week long, in personal study, with family, and in community groups. Its questions are designed for everyone and can be used multiple times, often leading to different conversations and fresh insight in each setting. The same guide can shape three distinct experiences as God meets you personally, in your home, and in biblical community.

Summary

On Sunday we learned from Pastor Kevin Ueckert as he walked us through Acts 12 and helped us see God as our deliverer. Through the story of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison, we were reminded that the visible story is rarely the ultimate story. Pastor Kevin drew a connection between Peter’s deliverance during Passover and the original Passover in Egypt, showing us that God has always been in the business of rescuing His people. Even when things look uncertain or out of control, God is still at work beneath the surface. Using the image of fishing, we were reminded that just like what’s happening under the water, there is always more going on in God’s story than we can see. We closed by taking communion together, remembering that Jesus is our true Passover Lamb who delivers us from sin and death.

Ice Breaker

What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever caught, or if you don’t fish, what’s the most exciting outdoor adventure you’ve experienced? What made it so memorable?

Key Verses

Acts 12:20-25
Exodus 12:13
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Psalm 77:11-15

Questions

Pastor Kevin said “the visible story is rarely the ultimate story.” Can you think of a time in your life when you later understood God’s purpose in a difficult situation that didn’t make sense at the time?

How does the timing of Peter’s deliverance during Passover help us understand God’s character and His desire for us to remember Him as our deliverer?

Why do you think God delivered Peter but allowed James to be executed? How does this challenge or strengthen your faith?

Sunday we learned that King Herod accepted worship that belonged to God alone and was struck down. What are some modern ways people might try to take glory that belongs to God?

How can remembering God’s past faithfulness help us trust Him during current difficulties or uncertainties?

Pastor Kevin used fishing metaphors to describe how there’s more happening “beneath the surface.” What might God be doing in your life right now that you can’t fully see or understand?

The story of John Mark shows how God can redeem failure and use it for His glory. How have you seen God work through your mistakes or failures?

How does taking communion regularly help us remember that God is our deliverer? What should we be thinking about during this time?

Life Application

This week, spend time sitting patiently beside the river of life as Pastor Kevin encouraged us. Set aside time each day to quietly listen for God’s voice and reflect on how He has been your deliverer in the past. When you face challenges or uncertainties this week, remind yourself that the visible story is rarely the ultimate story and trust that God is working beneath the surface. Also, look for opportunities to bring someone along on your faith journey. Who is your “John Mark” right now that you could encourage?

Key Takeaways

The visible story is rarely the ultimate story.

God is always working beneath the surface of our circumstances
God is our deliverer, just as He delivered the Israelites in Egypt and Peter from prison, and we need to regularly remember His faithfulness

Even when God doesn’t deliver us from difficult circumstances, we can trust that He will ultimately deliver us through His eternal salvation

God can redeem our failures and use them for His glory, as seen in the story of John Mark who went from abandoning the mission to becoming valuable in ministry

Taking communion helps us remember Jesus as our ultimate Passover Lamb who delivered us from sin and death once and for all

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our ultimate deliverer and our Passover Lamb. Help us to trust You when life feels out of control and to remember that You are always working beneath the surface of our circumstances. Give us faith to believe that the visible story is not the ultimate story, and that You are writing chapters we cannot yet see. Help us to live on mission this week, looking for opportunities to share Your love with others and to bring them along on this journey of faith. May we be patient and still, listening for Your voice and trusting in Your perfect timing. We love You and surrender our lives to You, knowing that You are faithful and Your word will prevail. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.