Sermon Study · Study Guide
The Ups And Downs
August 23, 2026 · Austin Axen
The Big Idea
God is in control of the ups and downs: in every season he is with us, he is for us, and he is using us.
Remember Sunday’s message
Sermon reminders
God Is With Me
On the very night before Peter's trial, God sent an angel into the cell. Austin said God is never early and never late, and he is present when and where we need him, even while we sleep.
God Is For Me
Herod's soldiers, chains and iron gate could not hold Peter, and Austin called it child's play for God. He could not promise that God will end every hardship right away, but he said God works all things for our good and for his glory.
God Is Using Me
Peter's arrival brought joy to Rhoda and amazement to the praying church. Austin said that when we tell how God has brought us through, our story gives others hope.
Wednesday’s conversation
Reflect & discuss
Read Acts 12:6–17 together in the ESV.
Asleep in the cell
On the night before his trial, Peter was asleep between two soldiers, and Austin said that while Peter was sleeping, God was working. When something you cannot fix is still unresolved, what helps you rest, and what keeps you awake?
Never early, never late
Austin said, "God is never early and God is never late," and told of a prayer he prayed for years before it was answered, while some of his prayers still have no answer. What have you prayed about for a long time, and what has kept you praying or made it hard to keep going?
Seen in hindsight
Peter did not know the escape was real until the angel left him in the street, and Austin reminded us that hindsight is 20-20. Looking back on a hard season you have come through, what can you see now of God's care that you could not see while you were in it?
A story that gives hope
Once inside, Peter told the praying church how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and Austin said our stories of what God has done bring others hope. What has God brought you through that someone in a season of down might need to hear, and how could you tell it before next Wednesday?
Carry it into the week
Next Steps
From the sermon
- Speak three truths to God as a prayer: "God is with me. God is for me. God is using me."
- Write them down, choose one to focus on, and remind yourself of it each day this week.
- Do not give up on the prayers you are waiting on. Keep praying and keep asking.
- When God answers a prayer or shows himself strong, pause to thank him and give him the credit.
- Share your story of how God has brought you through, so that it brings others joy and hope.
Application
Before next Wednesday, pray each day by name for one person you know who is in a season of down, and send them a short note to say you are praying.
My notes
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Text Edition: 2025. Used by permission. Permissions. Prepared for this small group from the August 23, 2026 sermon; questions and applications are editorial study material.
Sermon Study · Independent small-group resource · locsermonstudy.com