27th October 2019
St Barnabas Church

Talk: Prophets - See Problems: Agabus
Series: Equipped to Pioneer: Vision 2020
Speaker: James Neal
Readings: Acts 11:27-30; 21:7-14

Discussion Questions:
- “everyone ought to grow in hearing God and responding to what God is saying…how do we help them?”
- A broad Biblical view of a prophet is someone who hears and speaks what God says. The word ‘prophet’ in NT Greek literally means a “foreteller and an inspired speaker”. We see an example of a prophet in the early church with Agabus, who on two recorded occasions heard what God said and shared it. In doing so he brought an awareness to people listening and called people back to God.
- People who are prophets often have their hearts broken for what breaks God’s heart and are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the culture. They hold that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo. They are effective in revealing God’s heart for His people where ever they go. They can accurately discern God’s heart for a situation. As a result they have often a boldness about them to speak truth to power (in the church and the world).
- Prophets are people who are problem spotters, see where the gaps are and see where there’s no life. Their desire to be intimate in worship and passionate in prayer is infectious. They help people experience God’s voice for the very first time and help them to develop hearing the voice of God in their own life.
- For people in St Barnabas to whom this may apply, we want to encourage them speak about what God has put on their heart and call others into community and to action. We want people to take confidence in knowing that their prophetic gift to the church and society is valued and needed.
- Does this description resonate with you? If not – can you see this gift in others you know including your people of peace?

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