When God Gives You the Details Later | Blueprint Bible Study Ep. 08 (Acts 9:10–19)

Today, we gathered as a community—both near and far—to dig into God’s Word and reflect on what it means to truly hear and obey His voice. We celebrated the ways God is using technology to connect us, and I shared the exciting news about the upcoming public launch of Freedom Church Atlanta, a place dedicated to helping people experience and remain in the freedom Christ offers. I encouraged everyone to participate, support, and sow into this new work, reminding us that ministry requires both faith and practical resources.

Our study focused on the story of Ananias in Acts 9, who was called by God to minister to Saul, a notorious persecutor of Christians. Ananias’ initial response was honest—he had questions and concerns about the assignment. We learned that God welcomes our questions; He does not cancel or disqualify us for seeking clarity. What matters is that we bring our uncertainties to God, not to sources that might lead us astray. When we do, God often gives us just enough information to take the next step, not always the full picture. This is not blind faith, but informed trust—a faith that grows as we walk with God and see His faithfulness in action.

We explored how God’s instructions are rarely just about us. Our obedience is often the missing piece in someone else’s breakthrough. Ananias’ willingness to follow God’s direction, even with limited understanding, positioned him to play a pivotal role in Saul’s transformation and the spread of the gospel. Likewise, our steps of faith—however small or uncertain—can have ripple effects far beyond what we see.

I challenged us to examine whether we treat God’s word as something only for ourselves, or as a gift meant to bless others. In a culture that often centers on self, we must detox from selfish spirituality and embrace the truth that God’s plans are bigger than us. If we delay or refuse to act, God’s purposes will still move forward—He will raise up others—but we may miss the blessing of being part of His story.

As we closed, I urged everyone to reflect on where God might be inviting you to intersect with someone else’s story this week. Remember, someone else’s blessing may be waiting on your obedience. Let’s be a people who not only hear God’s voice but also do what He says, trusting that He will use us—ordinary people—to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Bring your questions directly to God God welcomes our honest questions and concerns about His assignments. When we take our uncertainties to Him, rather than to unreliable sources, He provides the clarity and assurance we need to move forward. This deepens our relationship with Him and keeps us aligned with His will. [14:09]
• 2. Faith grows through informed trust, not blind leaps God does not expect us to act with blind faith, but with a trust informed by our experience of His character and past faithfulness. As we mature, He gives us just enough information to take the next step, stretching our faith and building our confidence in Him. [22:47]
• 3. Obedience connects us to God’s larger plan Our willingness to act on God’s instructions is often the missing piece in someone else’s story. When we obey, we become part of a divine intersection that can change lives, advance the kingdom, and fulfill purposes far beyond our own understanding. [35:49]
• 4. God’s word is meant to bless others, not just ourselves A self-centered approach to God’s word limits its impact. When we recognize that God speaks to us for the sake of others as well, we become conduits of blessing, allowing His love and truth to flow through us into the lives of those around us. [49:58]
• 5. Delayed obedience risks missing our moment If we hesitate or refuse to act, God’s plan will still unfold—He will raise up others to fulfill His purposes. But we may forfeit the unique opportunity to be used by Him and to witness the blessings that come from our obedience. [43:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:36] - Building Community and Click Evangelism
• [02:08] - Vision and Mission of Freedom Church Atlanta
• [03:12] - Upcoming Launch and How to Connect
• [04:35] - Invitation to Support and Give
• [07:02] - Opening Prayer and Series Recap
• [08:27] - Saul’s Encounter and Ananias’ Assignment
• [10:59] - It’s Okay to Have Questions
• [12:23] - God’s Response and Ananias’ Obedience
• [15:11] - The Danger of Wrong Sources
• [19:54] - God Gives Enough Information
• [22:47] - Informed Trust vs. Blind Faith
• [25:52] - Faith at Your Level
• [34:33] - The Power of Obedience and Divine Intersections
• [43:09] - Don’t Miss Your Moment
• [44:46] - Someone Else’s Blessing Awaits Your Obedience
• [49:58] - Detoxing from Selfish Spirituality
• [53:29] - Announcements and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Acts 9:10-19 (NIV) — 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Observation Questions

1. What was Ananias’ initial reaction when God told him to go to Saul, and what reasons did he give for his hesitation? ([10:30])
2. How did God respond to Ananias’ concerns, and what additional information did He provide? ([12:23])
3. What specific actions did Ananias take after his conversation with God, and what was the result for Saul? ([13:02])
4. According to the sermon, what is the danger of taking our questions to the wrong sources instead of bringing them to God? ([15:11])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God didn’t give Ananias all the details about Saul’s future right away? What does this say about how God often leads us? ([21:12])
2. The sermon says God is not looking for “blind faith” but “informed trust.” What’s the difference, and why does it matter in our walk with God? ([22:47])
3. How does Ananias’ obedience become a key part of Saul’s transformation and the spread of the gospel? What does this teach us about the impact of our own obedience? ([35:49])
4. The pastor mentioned that if we delay or refuse to act, God’s plan will still move forward, but we might miss out. How does this challenge the way we think about our role in God’s story? ([43:09])

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you had questions or doubts about something you felt God was asking you to do. Did you bring those questions to God, or did you seek answers elsewhere? What happened as a result? ([14:09])
2. The sermon challenges us to “detox from selfish spirituality.” In what ways have you treated God’s word or calling as if it was only about you? What would change if you saw it as something meant to bless others? ([49:58])
3. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel God is giving you “just enough information” to take the next step, but not the whole picture? How does that make you feel, and what would it look like to move forward in “informed trust”? ([22:47])
4. Can you identify a situation where your obedience (or lack of it) might be the missing piece in someone else’s breakthrough? How does this perspective affect your willingness to act? ([35:49])
5. The pastor said, “Someone else’s blessing is waiting on your obedience.” Who in your life might be impacted if you step out in faith this week? What is one practical step you can take? ([44:46])
6. Have you ever missed a moment to be used by God because you hesitated or delayed? What did you learn from that experience, and how can you respond differently next time? ([43:09])
7. What is one way you can intentionally intersect with someone else’s story this week, trusting that God’s plan can unfold through you? ([51:25])