Introduction

Welcome everyone! It’s great to be back together after the break and to welcome our new members. This week, we’re diving into Acts 18 and exploring the challenging topic of when to “shake the dust” and move on, and when to continue investing in someone spiritually. Let’s start with prayer, asking God to open our hearts to His wisdom.

Icebreaker

• Share a brief story of a time you tried to share something important with someone, and how they reacted. (Keep it general and respectful – focus on your experience, not judging the other person).

Talking Points:

• In Luke 9:5, Jesus taught His disciples to “shake the dust from their feet” if a town rejected their message. This teaching applies to us today as we share the gospel, but it raises two key questions:
  • When should you move on?
  • When should you stick around and invest?
• When Paul faced opposition in the synagogue, he shook the dust from his clothes and redirected his efforts toward the Gentiles. Shaking the dust doesn’t mean giving up on someone; it means recognizing when to redirect your efforts. Acts 18:1-6
• God respects human choice and doesn’t force His truth on anyone, so neither should we. When someone has a stubborn and unwilling heart, rejecting the truth, it’s time to move on.
• Apollos was a gifted teacher but lacked a full understanding of the gospel. However, his teachable heart shows us that a person’s gifts aren’t the main factor for investment—it’s their willingness to learn and grow. Acts 18:24-26
• Moving on doesn’t mean burning bridges. God can still work in hearts over time. Even Paul, who shook the dust and moved on, later returned to share the gospel again in synagogues. Acts 18:19-21
• 2 Corinthians 5:20: So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Scripture References (NLT):

• Luke 9:5: “And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
• Acts 18:1-6: 1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla. They had left Italy because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. 3 Paul went to see them, and because he had the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. They were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
• Acts 18:19-21: 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila behind. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 But as he left, he said, “I will come back if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
• Acts 18:24-26: 24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke about Jesus with great enthusiasm and accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20: Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Discussion Questions:

Initial Thoughts: What are your initial reactions to these talking points? Did anything stand out to you, challenge you, or resonate with your own experiences?

Personal Experiences: Share (if comfortable) a time when someone refused to listen to advice or truth you shared. How did it feel, and how did you respond? Focus on your emotional response and what you learned from the situation, rather than judging the other person.

Luke 9:5 – Shaking the Dust: “And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” Why do you think Jesus instructed His disciples to shake the dust off their feet? What does this symbolic gesture represent? Consider the cultural context of Jesus’ time and the significance of dust.

Acts 18:1-6 – Paul’s Example: How does Paul’s action of shaking the dust in Acts 18:6 (below) relate to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 9:5? What prompted Paul to take this action? Discuss the balance between persistence and recognizing when to shift focus.

Acts 18:1-6 (NLT): 1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla. They had left Italy because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. 3 Paul went to see them, and because he had the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. They were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Acts 18:24-26 – The Apollos Factor: What qualities did Apollos possess (see below)? What was his deficiency, and how was it addressed? What is “The Apollos Factor,” and why is it crucial for spiritual growth? Discuss the importance of teach-ability and humility, even in gifted individuals.

Acts 18:24-26 (NLT): 24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke about Jesus with great enthusiasm and accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.

When to Move On: How do we discern when it’s time to “shake the dust” and move on in a spiritual conversation? Is there a clear formula, or is it more a matter of prayer and discernment? Explore the balance between persistent love and respecting another person’s free will.

Burning Bridges: Why is it important not to burn bridges, even after we’ve felt we’ve done all we can? How does Acts 18:19-21 (below) illustrate this? Discuss the long-term nature of relationships and the possibility of future openness.

Acts 18:19-21 (NLT): 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila behind. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 But as he left, he said, “I will come back if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

Reflection and Application: Reflect on your own heart. Are you open and teachable like Apollos? What’s one area where you could invite someone to help you grow? How does 2 Corinthians 5:20 (below) inspire you to approach sharing the gospel, even in challenging situations? Encourage specific, actionable steps for personal growth in teachability and sharing the gospel.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT): Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Conclusion

Let’s close with prayer, thanking God for His patience and guidance, and asking for wisdom in our interactions with others.

Additional Notes for the Leader:

• Be prepared to share your own experiences and struggles related to this topic, but keep the focus on facilitating discussion among the group members.
• Encourage respectful listening and avoid allowing anyone to dominate the conversation.
• Gently redirect the discussion if it becomes judgmental or focuses on criticizing individuals rather than exploring the principles in the passage.
• Emphasize the importance of prayer and seeking God’s guidance in discerning when to move on and when to continue investing in someone spiritually.
• Consider having printed copies of the talking points and scripture passages available for everyone.
• Be mindful of time and adjust the discussion flow as needed. You may not be able to cover all the questions in one session.
• If new people are present, make them feel welcome and included. Briefly explain the group’s format and purpose.

This guide provides a framework; feel free to adapt it based on your group’s dynamics and the direction the conversation takes. The most important thing is to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and learning.