Study Guide
Acts, Part 6 / Get in the Game / Acts 6:1-7
Just like the Super Bowl highlights a few players while dozens work faithfully behind the scenes, the church only thrives when everyone steps off the sidelines and uses their gifts to serve. In Acts 6, the early church faced growing pains and discovered that when each person stepped into their God-given calling—listening to needs, sharing responsibility, and serving where they were gifted—the church grew stronger, healthier, and the gospel spread further. The invitation for us is simple: don’t just attend church, get in the game, because when every part of the body serves, God multiplies the impact.
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
Icebreakers
- If your life had a theme song that played every time you entered a room, what would it be?
- What is your favorite sports team and why?
Read Acts 6:1-7
Discuss It
In Acts 6:1, we are introduced to a problem in church. A complaint has been made because widows were being overlooked in distribution of food. How did the apostles respond to the complaint and what can we learn from their response?
Additional Thought
Critiques are not always fun to hear, but sometimes they reveal the gaps we may not notice (as we see in Acts 6:1). Sometimes the things that feel like friction or tension are actually God’s way of showing us where His work still needs to happen. Often when we remove the emotion from someone's critique, we can see there is something deeper actually being noticed or said.
Additional Scripture
James 1:19-20 (CSB) My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
Additional Question
Think about the last time someone made a complaint to you. How did you respond? As you think about it now, what was the complaint actually pointing to?
In Acts 6:3-4, the twelve leaders in the church realized that they couldn’t do everything needed to both lead and care for the growing church. To make sure that people were adequately cared for, they had to identify, delegate, and empower more leaders. Where do you see a similar need for delegation and shared leadership in our church today? What might be at risk if we try to do everything with too few leaders?
Additional Thought
In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro taught him an important leadership lesson, often called the “Jethro principle.” Jethro saw that Moses would eventually burn himself out by trying to meet all the people’s needs on his own (Ex 18:18). He challenged Moses to empower capable leaders who could help carry the load.
Additional Scripture
Exodus 18: 21-22 (NLT) But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.
Additional Question
Why do you think the apostles and Moses chose delegation rather than just “working harder” to do everything? What do you think “sharing the load” looks like in the church today?
In Acts 6:7, Luke highlights the results of their choices to delegate. God’s word spread, more people became disciples of Jesus, and many Jewish priests came to faith. How does shared ministry open the door for more opportunities for personal growth? How does living out shared ministry impact the expansion of the Kingdom of God at Newbreak and beyond?
Additional Thought
God equips each of us with passions, abilities, and opportunities to make an impact. Sometimes we overthink it or wait for permission, but the truth is: your gifts and desires are not accidental. They point to the ways God wants to use you to meet real needs in His church and in the world.
Additional Scripture
1 Peter 4:10-11 (CSB) Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Additional Question
When determining your own gifting and contribution to the Body, ask yourself these two questions: What are you passionate about and what gifts do you have and/or others see in you? What is a gift (accompanied with passion) that you can share with the group?
Apply It
Say
Just like the disciples learned in Acts 6, as God’s church grows in impacting others, it needs each of us to step into the gifts and passions He has given us. When we serve others faithfully, no one gets overlooked, and His work continues to expand. Let’s be a church that boldly loves one another, serves our community, and shares the hope of Jesus with the world!
Ask (can be answered out loud or in their hearts):
How are you currently using your gifts to serve others? What are some of the opportunities where you could use those gifts in our group or at Newbreak?
Challenge
What steps can we take this week to join a team?
Pray
How can we be praying for you this week?
About the Current Sermon Series
The book of Acts tells the story of how the exalted Christ sends His Spirit to empower His people to continue His work in the world. Through the Spirit’s power, ordinary believers boldly proclaim the gospel, witness miraculous works, and form vibrant communities that embody God’s welcome to all people. Acts traces how the church’s witness, energized by the Spirit, extends from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, revealing Christ’s ongoing work through His people and the Spirit’s leading in every new challenge and opportunity.