Reformation & Revival
Do you long for revival? Does your heart itch for a genuine move of God—here and now? In our desperation, we must not settle for counterfeit revival; we need the real thing. No amount of skill or strategy can manufacture revival. Only God can convict the sinner, humble the proud, and raise the dead. Paul instructs the church to, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2). Reformation precedes revival. First, God changes our mind; next, God changes our heart. Too often, we want the blessing of revival without the burden of reformation. Yet Scripture teaches, and church history confirms, that when God’s people return to the gospel, God’s Spirit will return to the church. We believe that God will light a fire in Northern Michigan that will glow far past the coasts of America and into the nations.
Week 1: A Wretch Like Me
Acts 22:4-11 (ESV) — “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.”
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Read:
Acts 22:4-11
Romans 12:1-2
Discuss:
What are some things that marked the life of Paul before his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road?
Paul actively arrested and killed followers of Jesus; then he became one. What is so powerful about that testimony?
Is anyone willing to share their testimony? A testimony is your story about (1) your sinful life before Christ, (2) how Christ graciously saved you, and (3) what your life in Christ now looks like.
Is there any amount of sin, if confessed, that is unable to be forgiven in Christ?
What is the good news of the gospel?
Challenge:
X
Week 2: Even Kings Will Bow
2 Kings 23:1-3 (ESV) — “Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.”
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Read:
2 Kings 23:1-3
Discuss:
A
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Challenge:
X
Week 3: The Pentecost Revival
Acts 2:1-41 (ESV) — “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance... Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
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Read:
Acts 2:1-41
Discuss:
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Challenge:
X
Week 4: Hammer and Nails
Acts 19:23-30 (ESV) — “About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him.”
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Read:
Acts 19:23-30
Discuss:
A
B
C
Challenge:
X
Week 5: The Great Ejection
Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV) — “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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Read:
Matthew 5:10-12
Discuss:
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C
Challenge:
X
Week 6: Scholars on Fire
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) — “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
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Read:
Matthew 5:14-16
Discuss:
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Challenge:
X
Week 7: Nations and Neighborhoods
Luke 24:44-49 (ESV) — “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
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Read:
Luke 24:44-49
Discuss:
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B
C
Challenge:
X