Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Take time to catch up on the past week (over drinks or snacks if possible). Then ask group members to discuss:
- If you knew you were seeing a close friend for the last time, what would you say to them? (If you find this question difficult to answer, why might this be the case?)
Over this term, we’re exploring the theme of moving. Many of us will have changes and moves ahead: this series allows us to look to God’s word for wisdom.
Ask for a volunteer to read Acts 20:17-38 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know God, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.
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Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)
Goodbyes can be difficult. After Paul has said his goodbye to the Ephesian elders, they weep and embrace him (see verses 36-38).
- What might Paul miss about the Ephesian leaders? What might the Ephesian leaders miss about Paul?
- Reading verses 17-35, fill in the first two columns of this table:
| Things Paul has done | Things Paul calls the Ephesians to do | ||
|---|---|---|---|
- Acts begins with a goodbye speech, and others follow. Why are goodbyes such a good opportunity to say things that matter?
- Looking back at verses 17-35, fill in the next two columns of the table. What matters most to Paul? What does Paul put his trust in?
| Things Paul has done | Things Paul calls the Ephesians to do | What matters most to Paul? | What does Paul put his trust in? |
|---|---|---|---|
- If Paul prayed verse 32 for you personally, how would you feel?
We can also commit each other to God and his grace. We can trust the God will be generous and care for each one of us.
- How might this truth change the way you we goodbye in the coming weeks?
In this chapter, Paul addresses the ‘elders’ from Ephesus (verse 17). Later they are also referred to as ‘overseers’ and ‘shepherds’ (verse 28). As a team, these leaders are called to tend, feed and protect Christ’s sheep. The Ephesian elders are exhorted first to keep watch over themselves, and then over the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them responsible.
This flock is extremely precious to God (verse 28) – and is ultimately belongs to him. Caring for God’s flock has many dimensions: elders are to teach, care and encourage. In Acts 20, Paul particularly emphasises how elders must keep watch against false teachers who will enter the church and threaten the sheep (verse 29).
Local churches differ on their leadership structures, but the call to church leaders (whether or not they’re called ‘elders’) is identical.
Leaders are to mirror and reflect the ministry of Jesus, who gave himself completely to those that God had given him. Their congregations are flocks entrusted to them by their Father, who they must help to grow and flourish.
Impacting Our Hearts (15 minutes)
At the end of the year, as people leave and groups change, it’s easy just to look back. In Hebrews 12:1-2, we’re encouraged to run the race still marked out for us.
- In order to spur each other on over the summer (and beyond), print out a group photo or buy a card for each group member.
- Ask everyone to write their name on the back of one card.
- Then spend time writing encouragements or prayers for the future on each other’s cards. Pass the cards around until each person has written on everyone else’s card.
Then pray together – especially committing those graduating, going on a year abroad or in industry, or back to a difficult situation in their family home over the summer.
Impacting the University (10 minutes)
We can trust that God has good things for our futures, so we can celebrate!
There are many ways to end your year as an Impact Group together in celebration. You might like to have a barbecue and play some games. You could host an evening where everyone brings some food, go out for a meal or even organise a day trip!
- Choose a fun way to spend time together, and arrange the practical details.
- Spend some time discussing which friends or flatmates you could invite to join you.
Wrap-up – think TACOS 🌮
- Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
- Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
- Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
- Others – This may be your last CU Impact Group gathering of the year. But how can you finish well with friends?
- See You Soon – Tell the group when you’ll next get together. It may be next academic year… in which case arrange a time to catch up early in term!