Week of 5/3/26:Proclaiming Grace
SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Filled with PowerWeekly Theme: Be the Church - Proclaiming Grace
Sermon Text: Acts 9 : 1 – 9
Primary Reading: Acts 17 – 20
Secondary Reading: Romans 9 – 10
Memory Verses (Through May 23rd): Titus 2:11–14 (ESV)
[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
[12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
[13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
[14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
1 | Theme Reflection - "Proclaiming Grace"
Grace unspoken is grace unfinished.
The same mercy that found Saul on the Damascus road now sends the Church to the ends of the earth. In Acts 17–20, Paul stands before philosophers in Athens, elders in Ephesus, and crowds in riot - and in every place, he preaches one thing: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
In Romans 9–10, Paul’s longing for Israel’s salvation reveals the heart of evangelism: “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” Grace does not stay quiet; it compels love to speak.
To Be the Church - Proclaiming Grace is to carry good news wherever we go - not as a burden, but as a joy.
Those who have been found cannot help but point to the One who found them.
Grace unspoken is grace unfinished.
The same mercy that found Saul on the Damascus road now sends the Church to the ends of the earth. In Acts 17–20, Paul stands before philosophers in Athens, elders in Ephesus, and crowds in riot - and in every place, he preaches one thing: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
In Romans 9–10, Paul’s longing for Israel’s salvation reveals the heart of evangelism: “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” Grace does not stay quiet; it compels love to speak.
Those who have been found cannot help but point to the One who found them.
2 | Daily Reading Rhythm
3 | Practice of the Week - The 3-Minute Testimony
This week, practice putting grace into words.
Write a simple three-part story:
Keep it short - about three minutes to share aloud.
Then, pray for a moment this week when God might open a door to tell it.
“Lord, give me the courage to speak and the gentleness to love as I do.”
This week, practice putting grace into words.
Write a simple three-part story:
- Before: Who were you before Christ changed you?
- Encounter: How did you come to see His grace as personal and real?
- After: What difference has that made in your daily life?
Keep it short - about three minutes to share aloud.
Then, pray for a moment this week when God might open a door to tell it.
“Lord, give me the courage to speak and the gentleness to love as I do.”
4 | Doctrinal Focus - The Doctrine of Evangelism
Evangelism is the Spirit-empowered witness of the Church declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
It is not manipulation or performance, but participation in God’s mission - joining the Father’s pursuit of His children.
True proclamation is born from gratitude: forgiven people speaking of the One who forgives.
As Paul writes, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
The message remains the same: grace is available and His name is Jesus.
5 | Missional Focus - Speaking the Name of Jesus
Proclaiming grace begins in ordinary moments.
A shared meal. A quiet conversation. A word of hope in a weary place.
This week, ask God for one opportunity to speak the name of Jesus with sincerity and kindness.
Pray not for perfect words, but for a willing heart and listening ears.
“Lord, let my life and lips tell the same story -
that grace has come near, and His name is Jesus.”
Proclaiming grace begins in ordinary moments.
A shared meal. A quiet conversation. A word of hope in a weary place.
This week, ask God for one opportunity to speak the name of Jesus with sincerity and kindness.
Pray not for perfect words, but for a willing heart and listening ears.
“Lord, let my life and lips tell the same story -
that grace has come near, and His name is Jesus.”
6 | Community Group Discussion Questions
From the Readings
From the Readings
- How does Paul’s message in Acts 17 connect with his longing in Romans 9–10?
- What do we learn from the way Paul shares the gospel with both philosophers and tradesmen?
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 9 : 1–9)
- What does Saul’s conversion teach us about God’s initiative in salvation?
- How does Saul’s blindness become the beginning of true sight?
From Personal Reflection
- When have you hesitated to share the gospel because of fear or uncertainty?
- How does remembering your own story of grace rekindle courage to speak?
From Community Life
- How can our group help one another speak more naturally about Jesus in daily life?
- Where might God be sending us as a group to proclaim grace - in our workplaces, neighborhoods, or city?
Questions for Children
- What happened to Saul on the road to Damascus?
- Why do we tell others about Jesus?
- How can you show God’s love to a friend who doesn’t know Him yet?
- Who could you pray for this week to know Jesus’ grace?
7 | Closing Prayer
God of mercy,
You spoke light into darkness and grace into our hearts.
Jesus, You found us and gave us new sight.
Spirit, give us boldness to speak and gentleness to love.
Let our words carry Your healing,
and our lives reflect Your kindness.
May every conversation this week
proclaim the grace that has changed us.
Amen.