We know that the endings of stories matter. They’re the final contact an author has with his readers, the last chance to make an impression with the audience. It’s also where the plot reaches its climax or the tension of the plot is finally resolved. So is it significant that the ending of the book of Acts is a little unexpected and anti-climactic? Luke closes this grand narrative with an unlikely arrival, messenger, closing dialogue, and closing words. These reflect some of the unique (and unlikely?) features of the Christian gospel.
Study Guide: 03.22.09 Good News On the Move: Unlikely Ending

The are literal storms and there figurative storms: but a storm is storm. And they feel like it: the pounding waves of physical illness, the tsunami’s of social upheaval, the thunder of relational conflict. It feels like we’re over our heads, sinking further and further down; or shipwrecked off to the side of life. As God provides Paul and company with assurance in a literal storm, we are given the same assurance for ours.
Study Guide: Good News On The Move: Storm Stories

Growing up in Pittsburgh Steeler football country I learned that a good defense is how you win the game–the same principle is at work in Acts 25-26. The Apostle Paul lands in an extraordinary and dramatic moment as he defends himself before the royalty and nobility of Rome. As he does we learn something of what it means to have a good defense.
Study Guide: 03.08.09 Good News On The Move: A Good Defense

The life we experience and the life we lead are tied together. Therein is the struggle: I often want a life I don’t lead. I want to be healthy, but I don’t want to exercise; I want to be wise, but I don’t like others telling me what to do. In Acts 20, as Paul addresses church leaders, he describes a life well lived: one that only God can produce.
Study Guide: 03.01.09 Good News On The Move: A Life Well-Lived

All of us have a way of life. Sometimes we’re not aware of it until someone with a different way of life shows up. And the strength to which we cling to our way of life reveals that we’re hoping for a lot from it. It is, in fact, the “way” to security, happiness, prosperity for us. The way of Jesus both challenges us and delivers us into a ‘new, and living way’.
Study Guide: 02.22.09 Good News On The Move: The Way

In the book of Acts, we find the starting of new churches (especially in cities) flowing from Jesus’ vision for His Kingdom, and according to His command. For this reason, Grace DC understands church planting as both essential to fulfilling Jesus’ mission and for our future ministry in Washington, DC.
Study Guide: Church Planting

In the book of Acts, we find the starting of new churches (especially
in cities) flowing from Jesus’ vision for His Kingdom, and according
to His command. For this reason, Grace DC understands church planting
as both essential to fulfilling Jesus’ mission and for our future
ministry in Washington, DC.

All of us have a success story that we’re writing. And, there’s often a ‘gap’ between the one we write, and the one God does. And, in that gap lies our frustration. We tend to believe: If I were more talented or favored by God I wouldn’t face as much frustration. Looking at the story of the Apostle Paul tells us something different.
Study Guide: 02.08.09 Good News On The Move: Frustration

Recently a well know atheist said: “How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize?” This is a surprising statement not only because it was said by an atheist, but also because in our day (increasingly so) evangelism or proselytization is seen as out of line, immoral, even a violation of people’s rights. But, is it possible that we might understand it as compassion? In Acts 16 three people experience it as such.

Every nation experiences turning points and often there are critical debates leading up to them. Similarly, the early church’s debate in Acts 15 is one which leads to a pivotal turning point. What might appear to be wrangling over incidental religious customs is really about the heart of the Christian gospel and thus the future of the church. The debate is no less significant today.
Study Guide: Gospel Clarity