FALL 2016 LEADER GUIDE RONNIE FLOYD GENERAL EDITOR UNVARNISHED TRUTH: LIFE S GREATEST STORY UNSTOPPABLE GOSPEL

Transcription

1 FALL 2016 LEADER GUIDE RONNIE FLOYD GENERAL EDITOR UNVARNISHED TRUTH: LIFE S GREATEST STORY UNSTOPPABLE GOSPEL

2 GET INTO THE STUDY GUIDE: Direct attention to the contents page in the PSG (p. 3). Review the titles of the six-session study about the unstoppable nature of the gospel. (LEADER PACK: Point to the titles on Item 5: Unstoppable Gospel. ) Introduce session 7. Note the picture on PSG page 82. DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 82): What is something you have waited for that was worth the wait? 10 minutes Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 83). Note that Jesus disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to accomplish Christ s mission for His church. Stress it is the same power that is still at work in believers lives today. GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 83): The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. SESSION 7 UNSTOPPABLE MISSION The Point The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. The Bible Meets Life Many Christians no longer have the passion of the early believers to take on the mission Christ gave to the church. Fear of offending and being rejected has become more important than love for God and our neighbor, so we have chosen to leave to others the mission of making disciples. We need to turn from our own priorities and return to the mission Jesus gave His followers in Acts 1. The Passage Acts 1:4-8,12-14 The Setting After Jesus rose from the dead, for 40 days He appeared to His disciples, showing Himself to be alive and instructing them on the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Although He was preparing to return to God the Father, as He had promised, the disciples would not be left alone. They would receive the Father s promise, the Holy Spirit, who would be with them to teach them and empower them. As the time arrived for Jesus to leave His disciples, He spoke with them one last time. 86 Session 7

3 Acts 1:4-5 4 While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father s promise. This, He said, is what you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Jesus has promised to empower us with the Holy Spirit. 1 During the time between Jesus resurrection and His ascension, it seems His disciples weren t certain what to do. While they had been with Him constantly before His death, after the resurrection things changed. Though they encountered Him at different times and in different places, His visits likely were brief and probably left them with more questions than answers. Apparently the disciples weren t sure where to go, either. After the resurrection Peter and a few others, who had been in Jerusalem, were back in their native Galilee on the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), where they fished all night, without success. Then the next morning they encountered Jesus on the shore and ate breakfast with Him (see John 21). STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 1:4-5 GUIDE: Before reading the focal passage, set the context by briefly summarizing the information in The Setting (p. 86) along with the introductory paragraphs in the Bible commentary 1. READ: Ask a volunteer to read Acts 1: minutes Verse 4. There were times, however, when all of the disciples (except Judas Iscariot, who had committed suicide on the day of Jesus death) were in Jerusalem. On one of these occasions Jesus was together with them. This might indicate they shared a meal or it may simply refer to a gathering. Whatever the occasion, Jesus appeared in their midst to prepare them for what was coming. During that meeting He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem. While we often think of a command as a serious order from a no-nonsense superior, Jesus wasn t being a stern taskmaster. Certainly He had the authority to tell them what to do, but His words were likely more of a special emphasis or highlighted instruction that He didn t want them to miss. He wanted to make sure the disciples remained in Jerusalem instead of traveling back and forth to other places as they had been doing for several weeks. Something Jesus had previously taught His disciples was soon to happen in Jerusalem. Thus the disciples were to wait in the holy city for the Father s promise to be fulfilled. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF OCTOBER 16 87

4 THE POINT The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. GUIDE: Use the Bible commentary 2 to offer some background about the Jewish people s understanding and experience with the Holy Spirit. Emphasize baptized with the Holy Spirit (v. 5) does not describe a so-called second blessing that follows a believer s conversion at some undetermined point. This baptism occurs for every believer at the moment he or she turns to Christ in faith and receives Him as Savior and Lord. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 85): How does anticipating a good thing affect your ability to wait? (Alternate: What do you find difficult about waiting on the Lord?) TRANSITION: God sent believers the Holy Spirit, but not only for their own benefit. 2 Verse 5. The focus of this promise was the Holy Spirit. Though God s people had known about God s Spirit for centuries, their knowledge was more of a distant awareness rather than a personal experience. In their minds this mysterious Spirit probably seemed to operate unpredictably. Throughout the Old Testament we read accounts of how the Holy Spirit powerfully came upon a specific person for a specific time for a specific purpose. Still, these times were the exception rather than the norm. A special filling from the Spirit was reserved for certain people at certain times but not for all of God s people all of the time. Even so, God had planned for a change. Centuries before Jesus was born God decreed that one day His Spirit would not be limited to select persons. Isaiah had prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit on the descendants of Israel (Isa. 32:15; 44:3) and Joel prophesied God s plan for all humanity to experience His Spirit, that is, everyone who will call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (Joel 2:28 32). During His earthly ministry Jesus had also told His disciples about God s promise. On the night before His crucifixion Jesus taught the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit (John 14 16). Jesus noted that the Spirit s ministry in the world and among believers would include convicting of sin, revealing truth, counseling and guiding, teaching, and testifying about Jesus. Jesus also emphasized that He would have to go away in order for the Spirit to come. Soon, both events would happen Jesus departure and the Spirit s arrival. During His post-resurrection meeting with them, Jesus helped His disciples understand more about their coming encounter with the Spirit. Jesus related it to a baptism, which many of them probably experienced from John the Baptist. But in contrast to John s baptism with water, the disciples would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Most likely the reference to John the Baptist was a reminder of what the prophet had proclaimed about Jesus that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). While future believers would continue to follow Jesus example of physical baptism to identify them as His disciples, they would also experience this spiritual baptism to enable them to live lives of obedience to God s commands and carry out His mission of leading more people to become His disciples. The word baptize generally means to immerse or submerge something (usually in water). But in reference to 88 Session 7

5 the Holy Spirit it pictures a flood that is poured out from God both a covering and a filling (or cleansing). This is an appropriate picture of what God does for everyone who has a relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus. Jesus assured the disciple that not many days from now this promise would be fulfilled. Soon all believers would be baptized with God s Spirit. And though Jesus would leave to return to His Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit would remain with believers living in them to enable them to accomplish God s purposes. Acts 1:6-8 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. KEY WORD: Witnesses (v. 8) A witness (Greek: martys) gives a testimony of something he or she has experienced. Our English word martyr comes from the same Greek root. The Spirit empowers us to be His witnesses locally and globally. Verse 6. When the disciples met with Jesus they once again asked about the kingdom they anticipated. For several years during His earthly ministry they had heard Jesus teach about the kingdom of God. However, the disciples were either still confused or simply refused to give up their preconceived ideas about the future that would be inaugurated by the Messiah. Like most Jews they looked forward to a political kingdom where they would be free from the foreign rule they had known for centuries from the Babylonians in the sixth century B.C. to the Romans in their own day. But the disciples especially anticipated a future where everyone would again know the power and glory Israel had once experienced under David and Solomon. This was what they STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 1:6-8 5 minutes GUIDE: As time allows, share some facts about Hoover Dam.* > > Hoover Dam was designed to control the Colorado River and provide water and hydroelectric power for the developing Southwest. > > Construction on Hoover Dam was completed in At the time it was the largest dam in the world. > > Hoover Dam was constructed with 6.6 million tons of concrete, enough to pave a road from San Francisco to New York City. > > Holding back the Colorado River, Hoover Dam creates the reservoir known as Lake Mead, which holds 46 billion cubic yards of water. > > The water pressure near the base of the dam is approximately 45,000 pounds per square foot. The dam resists this force, harnesses it, and uses it to generate electricity. > > Hoover Dam generates more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to serve 1.3 million people. 89

6 THE POINT The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. *Sources: Hoover Dam and Hydroelectric Power, PBS Learning Media, [cited 3 September 2015]. Available from the Internet: Hoover Dam, [cited 3 September 2015]. Available from the Internet. Lead group members to consider the tremendous power generated by Hoover Dam, and imagine if all that power were kept inside the dam or perhaps used to power just one home; how ridiculous that would be. Suggest the same is true for those of us who have been transformed by the power of the gospel. It s not meant to be kept just to ourselves. READ: Ask a volunteer to read Acts 1:6-8. GUIDE: Call attention to verses 6-7. Note that initially, the disciples viewed the gift of the Spirit as an answer to their hopes for a new political kingdom for Israel. But God s plan was bigger than a regional government a temporary kingdom His mission is to reach all people on earth with a message that impacts eternity. expected with Jesus the Messiah on the throne. Now as the disciples met with Jesus after His resurrection, they again asked about the kingdom that was coming, hoping it was the right time for their dream to become reality. Verse 7. Jesus didn t reply to the primary focus of their question their hope for Israel s worldwide prominence. Instead, He emphasized that times and periods were none of their concern. Though Jesus used different Greek words related to time (chronos [times] a specific time or date, or period of time; kairos [periods] the right time or the appropriate moment or season), likely He intended little distinction between the words. That was not what was important for the disciples. Jesus noted that the dates God the Father has set are His alone to know. Previously Jesus noted that even He didn t know the specific day or hour of the end (Mark 13:32). Jesus words are a good reminder our primary concern should not be to speculate if certain events in our world indicate the approaching end times. Verse 8. It was important, however, for the disciples to understand the kingdom that was coming and how it impacted them and others. Unlike what the disciples imagined, God s kingdom was different from all earthly kingdoms where powerful human kings sit on thrones in specific places for a limited time. Instead, God s kingdom is about the eternal, immortal, invisible God ruling in human lives. It is about God s Spirit living in those who trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. The kingdom of God is about the power of God enabling the people of God to fulfill the mission of God. This power is unlike anything Rome or any other nation has ever possessed. It is the supernatural capability and potential that was experienced in the miracles of Jesus, including His resurrection from the dead. Jesus promised this same power to His followers. Note the certainty of Jesus promise: you will receive power and you will be My witnesses. Jesus promise was not a statement of wishful thinking but rather one of fact; it would happen. The Greek word for power is the same root from which we get our English words dynamic and dynamite. This power is a gift God would give to His people through His Spirit. His power was not given for their benefit so they could be prominent or dominant but so they could be His witnesses. This was also a certainty. 90 Session 7

7 Jesus promised to empower His followers to enable them to share a testimony with others of their experiences with Him. With these brief words Jesus didn t explain everything the disciples wanted to know about the kingdom, but He did tell them all they needed to know about the kingdom and their role in it. God s mission involves using His people to invite all of humanity to become a part of His family living in a growing relationship with Him through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus. This mission was to start in Jerusalem and to expand throughout Judea. But it was not for Jews only. It included the despised people of Samaria, considered halfbreeds by most Jews. And it also included people in far away lands, Gentiles (non-jews) in nations all over the globe, even to the ends of the earth. Though Jesus promise was initially spoken to the disciples who knew and followed Him during His earthly ministry, His words are spoken to all believers in all times none are excluded either from the promise, the result, or the mission. Stress that God s mission involves using His people to invite all of humanity to become a part of His family living in a growing relationship with Him through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 88): What do these verses teach us about God s mission? (Alternate: What circumstances can cause us to doubt we have God s power within us?) Acts 1: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem a Sabbath day s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. TRANSITION: The Holy Spirit empowers our witness, and prayer keeps us focused on the mission. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 1: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read verses Prayer unites believers in our focus on Christ and His mission. Verse 12. The disciples meeting with Jesus and His subsequent ascension to heaven had taken place on the Mount of Olives, which was just east of Jerusalem (Acts 1:9 11). Luke noted it was a Sabbath day s journey away, or about three-fourths of a mile. This was simply a 91

8 THE POINT The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 89): How is praying with others for a common mission different from your personal prayers? SUMMARIZE: Call attention to the numbered statements on PSG pages Summarize what the author sees happening in the disciples prayer meeting. 1. Prayer is primary. For many people, prayer is a last resort. But prayer was not the last resort for the early church. It was not an item on a crowded agenda; it was the main agenda. 2. Fear can be a great motivator. Those who crucified Jesus might come for His followers as well. It was fear, not piety that drove the believers to pray. Prayer is your life when you re scared to death. 3. Prayer unites us. The disciples were single-minded, joined together as one. Jewish reference of distance and doesn t imply the meeting was on the Sabbath. Thus the disciples had only a short walk to return to Jerusalem where Jesus had instructed them to wait. Verse 13. Once in the city, the eleven disciples went to the room upstairs where they were staying. Some have thought this might have been the place of the last supper or an upstairs room at the house of Mary, mother of John Mark. But these speculations are neither certain nor important. It was likely a large room on the top floor of a large house. The fact that the disciples were staying there suggests it was where they slept and met with other believers. The list of disciples is the same as those noted in Luke 6:14 16, excluding, of course, Judas Iscariot. The order of the names is slightly different in the two lists, perhaps reflecting the prominent roles Peter, John, and James would have in the church in Jerusalem. Verse 14. One thing that became constant for the disciples following the ascension was prayer. They continually prayed together. The word continually suggests more than just occasional or brief prayers. It pictures them as being devoted to it they were intense and persistent in their praying. This was an example they had seen in Jesus life and was obviously important for them as well. Exactly what the disciples prayed is unknown, but whatever the content of their prayers, the disciples were united. This means they had the same heart and commitment, which was to glorify God and fulfill His purpose. They may have prayed for unity (just as Jesus prayed for them on the night before His death John 17:20 23). But certainly they experienced unity as a result of their ongoing praying together. There were more than just the eleven disciples in that upper room, however. Luke mentioned the women, likely a reference to those who had followed Jesus, had been there at His crucifixion, and had even prepared Jesus for His proper burial. The Gospels note that women initially discovered the empty tomb and were the first to encounter the risen Lord. Almost certainly those women would have been a part of this group gathered for prayer. The women could have also included any wives of the disciples. Luke also noted that Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers also joined the disciples during that time. Mark 6:3 92 Session 7

9 notes that Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters. These were the natural children of Mary and Joseph, so technically Jesus was their half-brother. During His earthly ministry His brothers did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). On one occasion His family even questioned Jesus sanity and tried to restrict His movements (Mark 3:21). But since they were with the disciples in the upper room after the ascension, obviously something had happened to change their thinking about the true identity of Jesus. We know that after His resurrection Jesus appeared to His brother James (1 Cor. 15:7), so James testimony of his encounter with the risen Christ may have led the other family members to believe that Jesus was in fact the Messiah. Though this is the last time Mary is mentioned in the Bible, both she and her sons provide a good example of unity with other believers around the mission of Christ. James later became a prominent leader in the church at Jerusalem and helped the believers stay focused on the universal nature of the gospel message the invitation to repent and believe in Jesus Christ to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life is for all people. He also wrote the New Testament letter that bears his name, which provides very practical guidance for living as a follower of Christ. His brother Jude also wrote one of the New Testament letters and may have later become the leader of the Jerusalem church. The emphasis of Jesus and the example of His followers in the days before Pentecost remind us of what we as believers are to do and how we are to do it in our day. Our priority is to be witnesses for Jesus sharing the truth about God, sin, and salvation, and our testimony of what we have experienced (forgiveness of sins and eternal life) through faith in Christ. This is what we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to do. But we don t do this alone prayer keeps us connected with God so we can receive and walk in His wisdom, strength, and guidance for the mission. And unity with other believers in fellowship and in prayer gives us the family we need for support and the encouragement we need to keep moving forward as we work together to spread the gospel. SAY: When we pray and seek God s will together, He will unify us and keep us focused on our common center: Jesus the Lord. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 90): What common mission can our group pray for together? (Alternate: What is it about praying together that unites people?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity Lord, By Your Power (PSG, p. 90). 93

10 THE POINT The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 91; see text to the right). Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Lead the group to say or sing together stanza 3 of the hymn, Breathe on Me. (OPTION: Distribute hymnals IN ADVANCE.) Holy Spirit, breathe on me, Fill me with pow r divine; Kindle a flame of love and zeal Within this heart of mine. Breathe on me, breathe on me, Holy Spirit, breathe on me; Take Thou my heart, cleanse ev ry part, Holy Spirit, breathe on me. LIVE IT OUT Acts 1:8 is our mandate. It s mine, and it s yours. It s an impossible task, but we can fulfill that mandate by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. How has God spoken to you during this study? Which application will you adopt this week? > > Accept the mission. You may not have accepted Christ s mission because you never have accepted Christ. If that is the case, turn from your sin, and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. See the article on page 2 for guidance. Then start being His witness wherever you go. > > Embrace the gift. Understand the Holy Spirit is the source of your strength to be the witness God has called you to be. Start praying for opportunities to share your faith. Rely on Him for guidance and power. > > Pray together. Enlist 2-3 people from your Bible study group to meet twice a week outside of your regular Bible study period. Use Acts 1:8 as a guide to develop a prayer list for local, regional, national, and international needs. Get a map and circle specific areas God leads you to pray for. Seek God s will in how to pray, not forgetting to pray for opportunities to share your faith as you go about your regular routines. PRAY: Thank God for His indwelling Spirit who empowers us to spread His gospel of grace. 94 Session 7

11 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/DAVID ROGERS/MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM/MILWAUKEE A Jewish school in Jerusalem where devoted Jewish students study for the rabbinate. The following excerpt is from the article To Make Disciples (Sum. 2001), and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter at biblicalillustrator. Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible Studies for Life. The imperative to make disciples way. Their attachment to Jesus began with a commitment to believe in Him and continued as a lifelong process of learning from Him. A true Christian disciple is a person given over to Christ in mind and heart. Discipleship requires more than mental assent. The Lord demanded a commitment to live as He lived day by day. Jesus said, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine (John 8:31). He made that statement to Jews who said they believed in Him. Jesus told them that true discipleship results in more than verbal commitment. It includes continued obedience. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Without the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are powerless to live the life God desires for us. His power becomes available to us when we turn from sin and place our faith in Christ alone. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers (matheteusate) originated from to consider using this article the verb manthano learn from as they have opportunities to someone or come to know. As lead others to Christ. Jesus pupils, His disciples learned from Him about how to live God s > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 95

12 GET INTO THE STUDY GUIDE: Direct the group to look at the picture (PSG, p. 92). DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 92): What often gets you sidetracked during the day? GUIDE: Review The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 93). Invite a volunteer to read the original mission statement of Harvard University. Then note how far the institution has drifted from its original purpose. 10 minutes SAY: Christians have a message that will keep us from suffering from mission drift. GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 93): Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. Comment that the church we read about in the Book of Acts showed us what can happen when believers remain focused on the unstoppable message of salvation in Christ. SESSION 8 UNSTOPPABLE MESSAGE The Point Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. The Bible Meets Life There are many good groups and organizations in our communities seeking to benefit society in some way. The church, however, is unique. Many organizations are short-lived or diminish as the need they seek to meet is realized. Or they change when the leadership changes. The church is different. Christ gave His church one unchanging message to proclaim: the message of salvation in Christ. The Passage Acts 2:22-24,32-33,36-38 The Setting After Jesus ascension, the disciples followed His command to return to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. Gathered together on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon them with the sound of a violent rushing wind and the appearance of flames, like tongues of fire. The disciples began to speak in different languages, which the Jews gathered for Pentecost from the various nations could comprehend in their own languages (Acts 2:1-6). The crowd was amazed and Peter took this opportunity to tell them about Jesus and the good news of the gospel. 96 Session 8

13 Acts 2: Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. 23 Though He was delivered up according to God s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. 24 God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. KEY WORDS: Miracles, wonders, and signs (v. 22) Miracles show the power of God. Wonders emphasizes the response of people who witness miracles. Signs are intended to point back to God. Jesus died and rose again to bring salvation. Verse 22. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came in power just as Jesus had promised. The believers in Jerusalem who were empowered by the Spirit spoke in many other languages and drew the attention of a crowd. Most if not all of the crowd was comprised of men of Israel. Many Jews were in Jerusalem at that time, not only those who lived in the city and throughout Judea but also Jews who lived in other countries throughout the Mediterranean world. They had come to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. This holy day, also known as Pentecost, came 50 days after Passover and was one of the three most important festivals in the Jewish year. Peter initially quoted words from the prophet Joel that confirmed what was seen and heard that day (2:28-32). Then he directed the men to listen to him to understand what he was about to say. In what is considered the first Christian sermon, Peter called attention to Jesus. Peter clarified who Jesus was by calling Him the Nazarene, that is, He was from the town of Nazareth. Jesus was sometimes identified as the Nazarene during His earthly ministry. Rather than immediately jumping to the reality that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter emphasized that Jesus was a man. Thousands of people had encountered Him during the previous three years. So while any skeptic could have questioned Jesus deity, there was no question of His humanity. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 2:22-24 GUIDE: Introduce the focal passage by sharing the information found in The Setting (p. 96). READ: Invite a volunteer to read Acts 2: GUIDE: Call attention to the KEY WORDS feature on PSG page 94. Invite a volunteer to read the information. Note the phrase Jesus was a man pointed out to you by God (v. 22). Emphasize that God chose Jesus for a unique position a role that no one else could fill. In addition, God worked in and through Jesus humanity to prove who He really was. The people who had encountered Jesus would not have forgotten the astonishing and overwhelming things He did among them. 10 minutes SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF OCTOBER 23 97

14 THE POINT Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. SUMMARIZE: In verse 23, Peter s message holds two truths that some people tend to set against each other: God s sovereignty and man s responsibility. The cross was God s determined plan (v. 23), yet lawless people killed Jesus. God is in control, but the men involved are held responsible for their deeds. God planned for the death of His Son because there was no other way for sinful people those who were His enemies to be in a right relationship with Him. Stress that we all are responsible for Jesus death. Jesus resurrection was also part of God s plan from the beginning. Jesus resurrection broke the hold death had on humanity. (LEADER PACK: Stress this truth by pointing to Item 6: He s Alive. ) GUIDE: (OPTION: IN ADVANCE, display a jigsaw puzzle put together entirely but missing a few key pieces that reveal the picture. Invite group members to identify the image in the puzzle.) But Jesus was far from an ordinary man. Peter went on to note that Jesus was pointed out by God. This phrase translates a Greek term that originally came from the political realm, where it referred to someone chosen or elected to an office. But the word also carries the sense of showing or proving a person s identity. Certainly both meanings of the word apply to Jesus. God chose Him for a unique position a role that no one else could fill. In addition, God worked in and through Jesus humanity to prove who He really was. Peter reminded the people of the miracles, wonders, and signs done by Jesus. Miracles show the power of God. Wonders emphasize the response of people who witness miracles. Signs are intended to point back to God. The people who had encountered Jesus would not have forgotten the astonishing and overwhelming things He did among them. It was these miracles that caused many people to follow Jesus, either for what they could receive (such as healing or food) or perhaps just to see what He would do next. But not everyone who followed Him had a genuine interest in Him. Many Jewish religious leaders followed Him with sinister motives, either hoping to catch Him violating the law or trying to trap Him with words they considered blasphemous. But while the religious leaders claimed Jesus power to do supernatural works came from the Devil (Matt. 9:34; Mark 3:22), the Jewish people generally were in awe of what Jesus did and many thought God was working through Him (Luke 7:16). Some believed He was a mighty prophet because of the miraculous things He did that were reminiscent of Elisha or Elijah. Verse 23. Despite the admiration many of the Jews in Judea had for Jesus, Peter emphasized that they played a role in His death. The Jewish religious leaders had wanted to get rid of Jesus for some time because He did not follow their traditions and He threatened their popularity and position. Finally they arrested Jesus and had their own pretense of a trial. And after they arrested Him they delivered up Jesus to those who could carry out their ultimate desire. The Jews used lawless people (that is, the Romans, who did not have the Mosaic law) to kill Jesus. And though the civil authorities found no cause to put Him to death, the Jewish leaders incited the crowd to call for Jesus to be crucified. Peter emphasized the brutal Roman method of execution where a condemned man was nailed to a cross and forced to suffer 98 Session 8

15 in agony, often slowly suffocating for hours and hours before death finally came. So while the Jewish leaders plotted to put Jesus to death and the Romans carried out the sentence, the Jewish people also bore the responsibility for what had happened. They should have recognized who Jesus was, God s Messiah. Though most people who knew Jesus did not anticipate His death (despite His repeated teaching about it), God was not caught off guard. God not only anticipated it, He also prepared for it before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20). The sacrificial death of Jesus was part of God s determined plan for His creation. The Greek word for determined refers to something appointed or a decree. And the word for plan emphasizes God s will, that is, His sovereign purpose that will be fulfilled. God had not only decreed that Jesus would die but also set the appointed time for it to happen (Gal. 4:4-5). While Peter did not elaborate on this plan, it was part of God s purpose to make atonement for the sins of humanity. God planned for the death of His Son because there was no other way for sinful people those who were His enemies to be in a right relationship with Him. Verse 24. The death of Jesus, however, was not the end. Peter stressed that God raised Him up restored Jesus to life again. This was also part of God s plan for the salvation of humanity. Death is certainly humanity s most common fear and may in fact be our greatest fear. It is painful to consider and often painful to experience certainly this was true for Jesus. But God ended the pains of death Jesus experienced, both physically and emotionally. Because He was restored to life He would never again endure that pain. The Greek word for pains is similar to the word for cords or restraints. Peter also could have used the word as a reminder that just as Jesus was freed from the cords of death that held Him, Jesus resurrection broke the hold death had on humanity. Why was it not possible for death to hold Jesus in its grip? Because His death and resurrection were a part of God s unstoppable plan! God had chosen Jesus for His unique position as Messiah to make salvation possible for all humanity a truth Peter would clarify soon enough. Nothing, not even death itself, could hinder God s purpose! Ask if anyone in the group has ever worked a jigsaw puzzle and gotten to the end only to discover you were missing the last few pieces. Comment that you could probably still tell what the picture was unless the missing pieces happened to be crucial pieces in determining key details about the subject. Point out that telling about Jesus without mentioning His death and resurrection is like showing someone a puzzle with crucial pieces missing; they won t be able to see the true picture of the Savior. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 95): What can we learn from Peter s approach to sharing the gospel? (Alternate: What are the essentials of the gospel message?) TRANSITION: Not only did Jesus die for our sins and rise from the dead, He is also Lord of all. 99

16 THE POINT Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 2:32-33,36 10 minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read Acts 2:32-33,36. GUIDE: Briefly review the story of Polycarp on PSG page 96. Note that persecution of Christians is increasing. Acts 2:32-33,36 32 God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! Jesus is exalted as Lord. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 96): What are the personal implications of recognizing Jesus as Lord? GUIDE: Lord is a majestic title showing God s sovereignty and divine power. The word points to the Deity of Jesus. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 97): What are the worldwide implications that God has made Jesus Lord? (Alternate: What can cause people to struggle with the certainty that Jesus is Lord?) Verse 32. After citing David s prophecy in Psalm 16:10 proclaiming God s plan, Peter again noted that God resurrected Jesus from the dead just as He had planned. The resurrection of Jesus was the primary focus of the apostles preaching after Pentecost. That s because the resurrection is the foundational truth of the Christian faith. It provides assurance that Jesus sacrificial death brought victory over sin and death for all who believe. Paul later noted that if the resurrection did not happen then our faith is worthless (1 Cor. 15:17) and all humanity is still held captive by the guilt and power of sin. Peter added that he and the other apostles were witnesses of it. They had not only seen Jesus die and be buried; they also saw Him restored to life after being dead for three days. While the other eleven apostles were standing with Peter in front of the crowd (Acts 2:14), the witnesses could have included many of the 120 who were gathered together when the Holy Spirit came upon them (1:15). Scripture confirms that Jesus appeared to over 500 people after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6), so many others could have testified as well to the truth of the resurrection. Verse 33. There was even more to proclaim, however, than just Jesus resurrection. He was, after all, no longer walking on earth as one who had simply been revived from death 100 Session 8

17 only to die again at a later date. Instead, Jesus ascended into heaven where He is living still and where He has been exalted to the right hand of God. The person seated at the right hand of a king was in a position associated with great power and authority. On the morning of His crucifixion, as He endured the pretense of a trial before the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus prophesied that He would soon sit in this exalted position at the right hand of the Power of God (Luke 22:69). This is the place Jesus now occupies in heaven as He reigns with His Father over God s kingdom and over all creation. In this powerful position Jesus received the Holy Spirit and the authority to distribute the Spirit to others in accordance with God s promise. Thus like water is poured out from above and floods whatever is below, God s Spirit was poured out from heaven and engulfed the believers who had gathered in the room in Jerusalem. Peter went on to emphasize that what the people of Israel had seen and heard that day the Spirit s powerful activity that enabled the believers to speak in different languages (Acts 2:4) was further evidence of Jesus identity and authority. Only the One chosen and exalted by God the Father, acting on His behalf, could have freely poured out the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of prophecy. Verse 36. Point by point, Peter carefully constructed his sermon using prophetic Scripture, the Jewish people s knowledge of events, the apostles personal experience, and the activity of God s Spirit. Then he reached the most important point of his message revealing the full identity of this Jesus he had been proclaiming to them. In a powerful summation Peter emphasized a point he did not want the house of Israel to miss. (The Greek word for house refers to a family or lineage; in this case Peter was referring to the patriarch Israel s descendants.) All of them needed to know with certainty the truth about Jesus. Peter s conclusion contrasted the difference between how the Jewish people responded to Jesus and how God responded to Him. God has exalted Jesus as both Lord and Messiah. The people, however, had crucified Jesus like a common criminal. In referring to Jesus as Lord, Peter reached the climax of his message. More than simply a designation of respect (as it was sometimes used in the Bible), the word Lord here indicated the divine nature of Jesus. Jesus had earlier claimed equality with God and the Jews tried to stone Him (John 10:30 33). In the Greek, verse 36 ends with the words translated whom you crucified. Perhaps Peter ordered his SUMMARIZE: Jesus is Lord, co-equal with God; that truth is central to the gospel message. It matters that Jesus is more than a good Man or a great Teacher. Because Jesus is Lord and Messiah, He alone is able to save. Call attention to the numbered statements on PSG pages Emphasize that because Jesus is Lord and Messiah: 1. He is worthy of our worship. He s not only worthy of our respect, but also of our worship. He is the One before whom every knee one day will bow (Phil. 2:10-11). 2. He is worthy of our obedience. Because Jesus is Lord and Messiah, He deserves to be sovereign in our lives. He has the absolute right to tell us what to do and expect our complete obedience. TRANSITION: Because Jesus is Lord, we cannot remain neutral to the gospel. All people are called to make a decision. 101

18 THE POINT Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 2:37-38 words intentionally, wanting the people to bear the weight of guilt and responsibility for their actions: they had actually killed the Lord Himself. 10 minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read Acts 2: SUMMARIZE: In the original Greek, Luke s words actually mean they were cut to the heart. These people didn t merely feel bad or ashamed; they were filled with anguish and horror over the sin of having rejected and crucified the Messiah. When we share the gospel, our goal should not be to make people feel guilty or condemned, but to open their hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Explain the difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation brings a general feeling of worthlessness. It can paralyze you from realizing God s love and plan for your life. Condemnation leaves you feeling powerless and immobilized. Acts 2: When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: Brothers, what must we do? 38 Repent, Peter said to them, and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. KEY WORD: Repent (v. 38) In the New Testament, repent means to change one s mind in the sense of turning away from sin and self and turning to God (Jesus), making God (Jesus) the center of one s life. The message of Christ calls for a response. Verse 37. The message of Christ calls for a response. What the Jews experienced that day was more than just the wellcrafted words of Peter s sermon. While earlier they had seen evidence of the Spirit at work in the lives of believers, now they experienced Him at work in their own lives. On the night before His death, Jesus told His disciples about the Holy Spirit s ministry. Jesus promised that the Spirit would convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Now on the day of Pentecost, with thousands of Jews from around the world gathered in Jerusalem, the Spirit carried out His assignment as He brought a deep conviction on the people who had heard Peter s message. A more literal translation of deep conviction would be cut to the heart. Peter s words, like a figurative dagger driven deep into their hearts, brought intense emotional pain as the Jewish people realized the enormity of their sin. It was natural that they wanted a solution to their problem. So they asked Peter and the other apostles: Brothers, what must we do? 102 Session 8

19 Verse 38. The solution to their problem was to repent. They needed to change their thinking, especially about Jesus, sin, and salvation. To repent in their thinking about Jesus they needed to acknowledge Him as Lord and Messiah. To repent in their thinking about sin they needed to understand sin separates us from God and Jesus provided the perfect, final sacrifice for our sin. To repent in their thinking about salvation they needed to know that faith in Jesus is the only way to come into right relationship with the Father and experience eternal life. The biblical usage of repent also refers to a change of action not only thinking differently but also acting on this new belief. Thus Peter added that each of them needed to be baptized. Baptism is an outward picture of an inward change that has happened to a person. Thus after the people changed their thinking about Jesus, sin, and salvation they were to give evidence of that change by being baptized. Both repentance and baptism were familiar to the Jews. John the Baptist called for both as he prepared the Jewish people for the coming of the Messiah (Luke 3:1 18). Being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ means acknowledging His identity and accepting His authority. Peter had challenged the Jewish people with the truth that Jesus is Messiah and Lord. For them to be baptized in Jesus name would reflect their newfound commitment to Christ. 1 This is the only place in the Book of Acts where there is any question about the relationship of baptism, repentance, and forgiveness of sins. The misunderstanding comes from the Greek word translated for, which in the New Testament can indicate either requirement (purpose) or result (basis). Thus some have incorrectly interpreted this verse to teach that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins. But this is not taught anywhere else. Not long after Pentecost on a different occasion, Peter specifically charged people to repent so that your sins may be wiped out (Acts 3:19) without a mention of baptism. At other times belief (10:43) or faith (26:18) are mentioned as the basis for forgiveness of sins. Thus the phrase in 2:38 should be understood as forgiveness of sins as a result of repentance, and baptism is the outward demonstration of the changed mind and life. To those who experienced salvation, Peter noted they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus would give them His Spirit. This was the One God had promised, the Spirit who had come upon the disciples earlier that day in the upper room (2:1 4). This gift does not refer to special manifestations of the Spirit (which are His gifts), but instead to His indwelling presence in believers lives. Conviction brings awareness of specific sins, attitudes, and habits in your life that need to be changed. When the Holy Spirit convicts you, it is with the loving desire that you turn from sin and turn to Christ. Conviction motivates and encourages you to change. GUIDE: Use the Bible commentary 1 to clarify Peter s statement: Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (v. 38). DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 100): As we share the gospel, how can we work toward the goal of conviction rather than condemnation? (Alternate: How did you initially respond when you heard the gospel?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity The Essentials. (ANSWERS: Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins; Jesus rose from the dead and lives forever; Jesus is Lord, co-equal with God.) 103

20 THE POINT Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 101; see text to the right). Encourage each group member to commit to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Emphasize that all people need to hear the message of love and forgiveness through faith in Christ. LIVE IT OUT Let s avoid mission drift. In our lives and churches, let s not forget that the message of Jesus Christ and His salvation is the reason for all we do. How will this study affect your life going forward? Consider which application God is leading you to adopt this week. > > Focus. Evaluate your spiritual life. Is it focused on following Jesus and serving others in His name? Or do you find yourself focusing more on pleasing yourself? Determine one way you will support your church in spreading the message of Jesus beyond what you are already doing, whether it s inviting someone to church, volunteering for a missions opportunity, or (fill in the blank). > > Develop. Improve your skill at sharing your faith in Christ. Talk to your Bible study group leader about your desire to grow in this area of your life. Ask about opportunities your church may offer to help believers make evangelism a regular part of their lives. > > Share. The message of salvation is for all Christians to share. Pray for opportunities to share the message of Jesus in your everyday conversations. Be sensitive to the divine appointments God will send your way. Keep a journal of your experiences. SAY: Let s be people that help others discover that Jesus is their only hope. PRAY: Father, thank you for sending your Son to die for our sins, rise from the dead, and reign as Lord. Strengthen us to remain focused on sharing that message. Amen. 104 Session 8

21 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/KEN TOUCHTON House top of Simon the Tanner at Joppa. The following excerpt is from the article Peter s Messages (Fall 2000), which relates to this session and can be purchased, along with example, preaching history writer David Larsen considered all 8 speeches as preaching by Peter, while O. C. Edwards, Jr. did not identify any as the original sermons. Since many commentaries and study Bibles label parts of Acts as Peter s sermons, how can we decide what Luke, the probable writer of Acts, thought were Peter s sermons. One way is to look for characteristics in Peter s discourses common to first-century Jewish and Christian preaching. Lawrence Wills described such preaching as an oral form in three parts: an introduction of authoritative SHARING THE GOOD NEWS The message all people must respond to is the call of Christ to turn to Him in faith to receive forgiveness of sin and the free gift of eternal life. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. other articles for this quarter, at Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible Studies for Life. Peter s discourses are found in evidence, a conclusion, and an exhortation. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article the first half of Acts (see Acts as they have opportunities to 2 5; 8 12; 15). He has 8 of the 24 lead others to Christ. speeches that contain almost a third of the verses in Acts. But scholars do not agree on which, if any, of the 8 are sermons. For > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 105

22 GET INTO THE STUDY GUIDE: Lead the group to look at the picture on PSG page 106. DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 106): What are some employee benefits that would get you excited? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 107). Note the list of company benefits. Invite volunteers to share how company benefits have increased in their lifetimes. Stress that the love of Christ Christians show one another certainly makes for an inviting culture in a church. Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 107): Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. 10 minutes SAY: Let s see today how the love the first Christians showed one another might affect the way we love one another. SESSION 9 UNSTOPPABLE LOVE The Point Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. The Bible Meets Life The United States is well known for its humanitarian aid to other countries, and its citizens give to a host of organizations seeking to alleviate various forms of suffering. While the motives for giving to these groups may vary, giving within the church is motivated by love: a love for Christ expressed in love for the person. Out of their common love for Jesus, the early church expressed love for each other. The Passage Acts 2:41-47 The Setting On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus. Empowered by the Spirit to speak to the Jews present in Jerusalem for Pentecost in their own languages, the people were amazed and Peter preached to them, telling them about Jesus and the good news of the gospel. Acts 2:41-47 details that about 3000 people believed after Peter s sermon and describes the growth of the early church. 106 Session 9

23 Acts 2: So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. KEY WORDS: The fellowship (v. 42) The Greek word koinonia comes from a root word meaning common. In this context, koinonia expresses shared interests and concerns, full engagement in a community of believers. Breaking of bread (v. 42) Most likely this refers to the Lord s Supper, which is a reminder of Christ s body and blood sacrificed for the salvation of those who place their faith in Him. Unstoppable love meets spiritual needs. Verse 41. On the day of Pentecost, the people in Jerusalem witnessed the powerful activity of the Holy Spirit. Then they heard a clear and powerful message from Peter explaining the events. The Holy Spirit empowered Peter s words and brought conviction to the people. This led to Peter s call for them to accept God s offer of salvation and be baptized (Acts 2:1 40). As a result, many Jews accepted his message. The Greek word for accepted carries the idea of coming to believe something is true and then acting on that belief. The people turned (repented) from their old thinking and wholeheartedly believed what Peter had said the truth about Jesus, sin, and salvation. Those who believed were then baptized, which means to be immersed or submerged. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward transformation. It was a reflection of what had just happened to these new believers, whose thinking, especially about Jesus, had changed. They now acknowledged that Jesus is more than a man who died; He is in fact the resurrected Savior and Lord their Messiah who reigns with His Father in heaven. Baptism identified them as followers of Jesus people who have died to their old way of life and entered into a new life where Jesus is their focus. As His disciples they would continue to learn and obey what Jesus had said. Following the resurrection of Christ there were about 120 believers (Acts 1:15). But after Peter s message on Pentecost, Luke noted that about 3,000 people became STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 2:41-42 GUIDE: Remind the group that they learned in the previous session about the powerful message Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost. Use the information in The Setting (p. 106) to introduce the focal passage. READ: Ask a volunteer to read Acts 2: minutes DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 108): What aspects of church life have been especially meaningful to you? SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF OCTOBER

24 THE POINT Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. GUIDE: Focus on verse 42 and the believers devotion to prayer. Note that insulin is lifesustaining medicine for people with type 1 diabetes; similarly Jesus said without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Point out the line on PSG page 110 that reads, The reason we don t pray is not because we re too busy, but because we re too confident. Lead the group to imagine the consequences of anyone needing life-sustaining medicine and being too confident they could manage without it. (OPTION: IN ADVANCE, enlist someone to interview who depends on a life-sustaining medicine. Ask the interviewee to tell what would happen if he or she was too confident to rely on the medicine and tried to manage without it.) followers of Christ. This incredible response to the gospel was a reminder of what Jesus had promised that as a result of Him returning to His Father, those who believed in Him would do even greater works than He did (John 14:12). Verse 42. The events noted in verses cover an extended period of time. During this time the new community of believers was developing and growing. Their fellowship was characterized by several distinctive activities. In fact, Luke wrote that they were devoted to these things. This word expresses more than a loyalty to or an interest in something. Instead, it implies that the believers gave dedicated attention to these actions; they were persistent in doing them day-by-day. The goal of Peter s preaching on Pentecost was not simply to lead people to accept Christ as Savior. Instead, he and the other disciples were focused on making new disciples as Jesus had commanded them (Matt. 28:19 20). A disciple is first a learner, which is why the apostles teaching was an essential element in the new community. On a daily basis the apostles taught the new believers what they had learned from Jesus, as their goal was to help believers become more like Jesus. This apostolic instruction could have included Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in Christ; Jesus resurrection; as well as what Jesus taught about God and His kingdom including faith, prayer, giving, relationships, and priorities. The apostles most certainly shared personal stories about Jesus life and ministry that served as examples to believers and gave direction for the disciples lives. The New Testament letters we have from Paul, Peter, James, and others may be much like what the apostles taught new believers in the months after Pentecost. In these letters we see key doctrines that are important for believers to understand as well as specific guidance for putting scriptural knowledge into practice in daily life. The apostles letters (and thus their teaching) are a reminder that true learning does not happen apart from both information and application. Jesus emphasized this at the close of His Sermon on the Mount when He said that sensible people act upon what they hear from Him, building a solid foundation for life that prepares them for whatever may come (7:24 27). Jesus also noted that obedience to His commands is actually an expression of a person s love for Him (John 14:15,23). The new community of believers was also devoted to the fellowship. This means more than just eating a meal 108 Session 9

25 together, as the contemporary use of the word often implies. The Greek word points to believers unity with Christ or with each other. This is highlighted in all the common elements of Christianity. Believers have a common relationship with God through faith in Christ and we share His Spirit who lives within each of us. Believers also have a common focus of loving God and loving others. And believers have a common mission of growing in their faith and helping others know Jesus and grow as His disciples. The unity of the believers in Jerusalem was expressed in their actions which could have included worshiping God together, eating meals together, being physically present and emotionally supportive in times of distress, and even giving material possessions to help meet others needs. Another common action the disciples carried out consistently was the breaking of bread. Beyond a regular meal, this was most likely a celebration of the Lord s Supper. This ordinance Jesus initiated on the night before His crucifixion prompts believers to remember Him and what He did (Luke 22:14 20). It represents God s new covenant that was initiated by Christ s sacrifice. It also symbolizes the believer s communion (relationship) with Christ and with others in His body. A fourth activity that characterized the new community was the prayers. The definite article (the) in this sentence could refer to specific prayers, such as the scheduled Jewish prayer times at the temple. Acts 3:1 notes how Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon, so it is entirely possible that the believers, who were Jews, continued to participate in these Jewish prayer services. But most certainly the believers also prayed with and for each other as they met together in homes. These were surely more than memorized prayers as would have been offered in the temple service, and could have included prayer for unity, boldness, wisdom, provision, guidance, and strength. Stress that prayer is not something we should turn to as a last resort after we ve tried and failed at everything else. Prayer should be our daily lifeline that enables us to live our Christian faith and reach others with the gospel. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 110): In what ways have you experienced prayer as transformative? (Alternate: What is the relationship between prayer and love?) TRANSITION: We know that prayer meets spiritual needs, but it also meets physical needs. 109

26 THE POINT Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 2:43-45 READ: Ask a volunteer to read verses GUIDE: Emphasize that these believers didn t just meet together to pray and worship. Verses show how they provided for one another s needs. Call attention to the bullet points on PSG page 11. Note these three prominent characteristics: Unity. They were together and held all things in common. Selflessness. They sold their possessions and property. Mutual care. They distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Point out that caring for people is wonderful way to open a conversation with someone about Jesus Christ. When people see your sincerity, they re more willing to listen to you. 10 minutes Acts 2: Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. Unstoppable love meets physical needs. Verse 43. Because of what was happening in and through the believers, Luke noted that a sense of fear came over everyone. This was not the feeling of dread or panic people experience when they are afraid. Instead, it refers to a deep respect, admiration, or reverence. It was not just a one-time occurrence either. The verb suggests an ongoing action everyone continued to experience this reverent awe. Surely the believers were amazed and probably even overwhelmed by what God was doing in and through them. But likely the response refers more to those who were not believers, especially Jews in Jerusalem who witnessed the work of God in ways they might never have seen before. Part of what they witnessed or heard about was the many wonders and signs that God did through the apostles. These were miraculous actions similar to those done by Jesus that met physical needs, demonstrated the power of God, and pointed people to God. The word wonders indicates and is associated with the people s reaction, while signs is a word used to point to the miracles source. The miracles were intended as directional markers that pointed people to God. This is important because it was God who was doing these miracles. The apostles were simply the human vessels through which He worked. These wonders and signs were a reminder of Joel s prophecy of the last days that Peter proclaimed on Pentecost: God was carrying out wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below (Acts 2:19). Verse 44. This summary verse from Luke was another reminder of the close fellowship of all the believers in the 110 Session 9

27 fledgling community of Christ. The word together emphasizes the unity of the Christian community. Its meaning could include simply gathering together on a regular basis. But it also may suggest some actually shared their homes with other believers. 1 The believers also held all things in common. Ancient Greek thought suggested the concept of an ideal society in which the people held everything in common and shared equally all things. This thinking eventually gave rise to the tenets of modern communism where such sharing was forced upon a group of people. But for the early disciples, this sharing was not forced. It was a completely voluntary action they engaged in because of their love and concern for one another. This kind of community wasn t a new concept to the Jews of that time, however. A Jewish religious group, who lived in an isolated community in a place known as Qumran near the Dead Sea, practiced a form of communal life that was characterized by self-denial. In addition, Jesus and His disciples had a common money-bag in which they kept their shared finances to provide for their needs (John 12:6; 13:29). Perhaps the believers after Pentecost followed this practice and had a similar community fund where giving and receiving were ongoing practices. Verse 45. Poverty was a reality throughout Judea and Galilee during the first century. It is likely that at least some of those who became believers during that time were already living in poverty before they trusted in Jesus. And those who had come from other towns or countries but remained in Jerusalem, perhaps anticipating the Lord s imminent return, may have found only marginal work after Pentecost, which would have added to the number of people who did not have adequate provisions. Because of their love for each other, the disciples determined to take care of anyone who had a need. Thus they sold their possessions and property to help meet physical needs. Again, this was not a required action for any disciple, as seen in the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira that happened sometime later (Acts 5:1 11). This deceitful couple sold some property and gave part of the proceeds to the community of believers but lied about how much they had received. Peter confronted their dishonesty by asking, Wasn t [the land] yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn t it at your disposal? (v. 4). His piercing questions stress that ownership of possessions was not wrong in the community of Christ. Even so, the believers obviously held a loose grip on their belongings and allowed God to use whatever they had when there was a need. Use the Bible commentary 1 to help the group understand the voluntary nature of the sharing that was going on among the believers. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 112): What would it look like for our group to practice the extravagant love we see in this passage? (Alternate: How do you live with the tension of being generous while providing for your own needs?) TRANSITION: When we meet people s needs in the love in Christ, we will find opportunities to share the gospel. 111

28 THE POINT Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 2: minutes READ: Ask a volunteer to read verses SUMMARIZE: The early church prayed and cared for others. Perhaps if they had done only these two things nothing more none of us would know about Jesus. At some point, in addition to praying for and helping people, they had to tell them about Jesus who He is and why He lived, died, and rose again. They had to speak the message behind their love and caring acts. Acts 2: Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. Unstoppable love creates opportunities to share the gospel. Verse 46. On a daily basis the believers continued to meet with each other in the temple complex. The mention of the temple is a reminder that the believers at this time still saw themselves as Jews. They had accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah but they still held to many of the tenets of Judaism and continued to observe many of the Jewish practices. Later this became a problem, however, as controversies arose between Jewish and Gentile believers about clean and unclean foods (ch. 10), as well as circumcision and other elements of the Mosaic Law (ch. 15). Even as the believers met together in the temple courts, they had in mind their witness to Jews who were not followers of Christ. Every day crowds of Jews came to the temple to participate in worship. It was a natural place to share their faith. They wanted others to experience the forgiveness and life they knew because of their relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus. While public, larger group gatherings in the temple were important, it was just as important for the believers to spend time together outside the temple. Thus they also gathered from house to house, that is, in many different homes throughout the city. It was in these intimate small groups where they broke bread. This probably refers to a regular meal, which could have concluded with an observance of the Lord s Supper. Such combination meals, known as love feasts (Jude 12), apparently were a regular practice for the early church (1 Cor. 11:17 34). The love of the early believers in Jerusalem for one another and their unity in the faith resulted in a joyful 112 Session 9

29 and humble attitude within their fellowship. The joy they experienced refers to extreme joy or gladness, exaltation. The Greek phrase translated humble attitude occurs in the New Testament only in this verse and literally means simplicity of heart. It carries the idea of sincere devotion, a mindset solely focused on pleasing God. Verse 47. One other notable characteristic of the believers was their time spent praising God. Their worship undoubtedly included words of thanks to God for all He had done for them not only for the eternal life they experienced because of Jesus but also for the abundant life they enjoyed because of the Spirit s presence within them. The believers did not live their lives in isolation. The community of Christ was well-known throughout the city. Luke noted that they enjoyed the favor of all the people, that is, the unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem. The believers lives and their fellowship were characterized by great love, and likely this was the key to the goodwill they received from outsiders. Their love was noteworthy and became a witness to others, just as Jesus had promised: By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). The results of their sacrificial love and ongoing witness were astounding. The Holy Spirit empowered their witness, just as Jesus had promised in Acts 1:8, and every day people were being saved. As a result, the Lord added these new believers to the community of faith. Out of their common love for Jesus, believers in the early church expressed love for each other. And this love spread throughout Jerusalem as the believers loved their fellow Jews enough to share the good news of the gospel with them. As a result, the church continued to grow and was held in high regard even by those who were not part of it. The Holy Spirit empowered their witness, just as Jesus had promised in Acts 1:8, and every day people were being saved. As a result, the Lord added these new believers to the community of faith. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 114): Loving others involves praying, caring, and sharing. In which of these areas would you like to grow? (Alternate: Why is it so important that we make the move from caring to sharing?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity, Prayer Care Share (PSG, p. 114). 113

30 THE POINT Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God. GUIDE: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 115; see text to the right). Encourage group members to choose an application that fits best with what God is calling them to do. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Emphasize that Jesus said people would know we are His disciples because of our love. Challenge group members to evaluate the love they have for others. LIVE IT OUT The early church was known for its culture of praying, caring, and sharing. It was a powerful trio that fed explosive church growth. Consider how you can begin to make this a part of your Christian walk in the coming week and beyond. > > Prayer. Instead of merely taking an exercise walk through your neighborhood, take a prayer walk. Pray for the people who live in each house in your neighborhood. Pray for their spiritual, emotional, and financial needs and pray especially for their salvation. Ask God to work in their lives and to use you as His chosen instrument to tell them about Jesus. > > Care. Actively look for someone in need this week. Determine to give sacrificially, whether of your time, money, or other resources to help that person in the name of Jesus. > > Share. Think of someone you ve prayed for or helped in practical ways but never talked to about Jesus. Bring Jesus into your conversation with that person. Let them know your concern for them is motivated by the love of Christ in your life. PRAY: Father, give us the grace to reach out in love to serve others and to let our love be a testimony of our love for You. Amen. 114 Session 9

31 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/JUSTIN VENEMAN Men s plaza at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The following excerpt is from the article Herod s Temple (Win ), which relates to this session and can be purchased, feet long, 90 feet wide, and 50 feet high. The highest point of the structure soared to about 207 feet, or approximately ten stories. Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians destroyed the magnificent structure in 586 B.C. When the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian captivity, Zerubbabel led in the building of a new temple. But those who had seen Solomon s Temple deemed this structure to be disappointingly inferior. Zerubbabel s Temple was the one that Herod the Great determined to rebuild and enlarge. Since Herod was really SHARING THE GOOD NEWS The blessing of loving God and others begins when we turn from our sin and experience the love of God in His free gift of grace through faith in Christ. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. along with other articles for this quarter, at biblicalillustrator. Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible Studies for Life. Bible students refer to Herod s an Idumean rather than a Jew, he thought doing this would please the Jews as well as win recognition for himself particularly in the eyes of his Roman overlords. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article Temple as the second temple, with the magnificent structure Solomon built being the first. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. The scriptural description of Solomon s Temple suggests that the inside ceiling was 180 > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 115

32 GET INTO THE STUDY GUIDE: Lead the group to look at the picture on PSG page minutes SESSION 10 UNSTOPPABLE OPPORTUNITIES DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 116): When has a chance encounter changed your life? GUIDE: Introduce session 10 by telling the story from The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 117) of how Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak met and from that chance meeting they cofounded Apple. Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 117: We intersect daily with people who need Christ. SAY: Think about places where you encounter people from different walks of life. Keep this in mind as we look at God s word together. The Point We intersect daily with people who need Christ. The Bible Meets Life Whenever you drive any distance at all, you pass intersection after intersection. Many times we just pass through those intersections without noticing what s around. These intersections are like our lives. Every day we intersect with people, but we should take the time to notice them without simply passing by. God put us on this pathway to impact and influence lives along our journey. Intersections become opportunities. The Passage Acts 3:1-10 The Setting The early Christian church in Jerusalem was comprised of Jews. Most if not all of them continued to participate in the Jewish rituals and worship. One day, as Peter and John were going up to the temple complex to take part in the afternoon hour of prayer, they encountered a lame man begging at the temple gate. They used this opportunity to demonstrate the power of Jesus Christ to this lame man and all those present at the temple. 116 Session 10

33 Acts 3:1-4 1 Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon. 2 And a man who was lame from birth was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. 4 Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, Look at us. See the opportunity your intersections with people provide. Verse 1. The love, unity, and witness of the first Christians was truly remarkable. In the closing paragraph of Acts 2, Luke provided a brief summary of the activities of the growing community of believers (Acts 2:43 47). They spent time together in each other s homes. They met together in the temple on a daily basis. They took care of each other and provided for each other. And what came as a result of their new community was astounding. They enjoyed the goodwill of people in Jerusalem who weren t believers. Every day new people were being saved. The apostles performed many miracles that resulted in awe and wonder in those who witnessed the events. Chapter 3 gives specific details of one of those miraculous events that drew the attention of many people in Jerusalem. Along with attention came the first conflict experienced by the new community of faith. The focus in chapter 3 is on Peter and John. These two men, along with John s brother James, were perhaps closest to Jesus among the Twelve who followed Him during His earthly ministry. They were the only disciples Jesus took with Him to the mountain for His transfiguration (Matt. 17:1). They were also the only ones to accompany Jesus when He raised to life the daughter of the synagogue leader (Luke 8:51). John was known as the disciple Jesus loved (John 13:23; 19:26; 21:7), while Peter typically was the spokesman for the disciples. Peter continued to have a prominent role in the Christian community, as is seen in the first 12 chapters of Acts; but, beginning in chapter 13 the STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 3:1-4 READ: Ask a volunteer to read Acts 3: minutes GUIDE: Refer to The Setting on page 116 to make the point that the early church in its infancy was comprised primarily of Jews who continued to participate in the Jewish rituals and worship. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask members to briefly name some of the major intersections they drove through on their way to church today. Ask them to name some of the busy intersections they attempt to avoid at rush hour or when they are traveling through a major metropolitan area, and to tell why they do this. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6 117

34 THE POINT We intersect daily with people who need Christ. GUIDE: Explain that the afternoon hour of prayer was a busy time at the temple when people came to pray and make evening sacrifices. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask members to name places where people gather in our community. (Suggestions may include: coffee shops, breakfast hangouts, malls, and so forth.) SUMMARIZE: The information in commentary 1, Digging Deeper (PSG, p. 121), and the Biblical Illustrator article on page 125 for information and possible locations of the temple gate called Beautiful. attention centers primarily on Paul in his journeys to take the gospel into other parts of the world. One day Peter and John were on their way to the temple, apparently to participate in the hour of prayer that happened each day at three in the afternoon. This was the time of the evening sacrifice. Jewish worship at the temple included a time of prayer as well as the priestly blessing of the people. Luke notes that the two apostles were going up, a reminder of the prominence of the temple in the city of Jerusalem. The temple complex included a number of courts, porches, structures, and buildings. There were restrictions about who could go into the different areas whether Gentiles (non-jews), Jewish women, Jewish men, priests, or the high priest. There were different gates, or points of entry, throughout the facility. Due to the design of the temple complex, depending on where an individual was he or she might have to ascend or descend to go to the temple. However, the Jews generally spoke of going up to worship at the temple. While both apostles were involved in this event, Peter was the only one who spoke. This leads some people to wonder why John was even mentioned. The apostles may have gone to the temple in pairs to witness as well as to worship. Likely they learned this from Jesus, who had sent them out in pairs on their mission to share the good news of the kingdom (Luke 10:1). This may have been done to fulfill the requirement of the law noted in Deuteronomy 19:15, A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Verse 2. 1 One gate in the temple was known by the name Beautiful. While there are no references to a gate by this name in either the Old Testament or in Jewish writings from the period, this may have been what was known as the Nicanor Gate in rabbinic literature. It is believed this massive gate made of Corinthian bronze was on the east side of the complex leading into the Court of Women from the Court of the Gentiles. The Jewish historian Josephus referred to 10 gates in the temple sanctuary (Wars of the Jews 5.201). He described the fine craftsmanship and impressiveness of this gate compared to the other 9 gates that were covered with silver or gold, which is likely why it was called Beautiful. Outside the gate a man was strategically placed where he could beg for alms from generous worshipers entering 118 Session 10

35 the temple complex. One essential practice of Judaism taught by the rabbis was almsgiving. By the New Testament period, alms could take the form of either charitable monetary giving or good deeds. To practice almsgiving was to be righteous. Since there was no government assistance, financial support for the needy was essential. Many Old Testament passages note God s concern for the poor and a number of laws highlight the expectation for God s people to provide for those in need (Ex. 23:6 7; Lev. 19:10; 23:22; Deut. 15:7 11). This practice is also found in the New Testament, where believers gave to help needy Christians (Acts 4:32 35; Rom. 15:25 27; 2 Cor. 8 9) and where providing for others in need is noted as a natural and expected result of experiencing the love of Christ (Jas. 1:27; 1 John 3:17 18). But Jesus Himself warned against any giving to the poor that was done to be to be noticed and admired by others (Matt. 6:1 4). Luke wrote that the man was lame from birth; family or friends carried him daily to the temple where he would sit to beg. It was most likely the only way he could get any money to help provide for his needs. The time of the evening services at the temple would have been one of the best times for begging, as people coming to and from the temple would have been more inclined to practice piety by giving alms to the needy. There are differing opinions as to whether the man would have been forbidden to enter the temple complex because of his disability, While some argue that legally the lame man would have been excluded from the temple, others disagree, saying that this was not the case and the reason the man was placed there was because it was the most advantageous position from which to gain alms from those coming and going from the temple. Verse 3. Peter and John were on their way into the temple complex when the lame man saw them. The man was over 40 years old (Acts 4:22) and had probably begged at the temple for many years. Thus he saw many of the same people on a regular basis. However, he would have called out to anyone who might give him something. As he probably did countless times every day, the man cried out as people passed by. He had most likely learned to hope for something but expect nothing from most people. Even so, he asked for help from Peter and John as they approached him. GUIDE: The Old Testament established God s concern for the poor and a number of laws highlighted the expectation for God s people to provide for those in need. This practice is also found in the New Testament, where believers gave to help those in need. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask How do you typically respond when you approach someone who is asking for money on the street or who is holding up a sign that says will work for food? READ: Ask a volunteer to read or summarize the story by David Sleppy (PSG, p. 118). Sleppy chronicled the lives of the homeless in the book No One Sees Me. The book s title is based on a conversation Sleppy had with a homeless man on the street. The photographer/author asked the man, What s the worst part about being homeless? The man replied, No one sees me. Verse 4. Possibly the beggar would look at and call out to one person or group then immediately turn and make the same request of someone else lest he miss a potential benefactor. Then he would repeat this again and again, especially before 119

36 THE POINT We intersect daily with people who need Christ. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 119): How can we get better at noticing the opportunities God gives us to love others? (Alternate: What emotions do you experience when God interrupts your day?) TRANSITION: Avoid eye contact is the advice given to people who encounter unpleasant life circumstances. Obviously, Peter and John did not follow proper street etiquette when they said to the man look at us. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 3:5-8 READ: Ask a volunteer to read Acts 3: minutes the times of the morning and evening sacrifices when crowds of people were entering the temple. The man s hope was for someone to give him a donation in response to his plea for help. Probably most people who gave to him did this almost mindlessly as they went to and from the temple. The apostles response must have been quite unexpected. Rather than hurrying past him they actually stopped and looked at him intently. This phrase denotes a fixed gaze or a deep consideration. They gave focused attention to him and saw his need. Because they were concerned about him they directed him to Look at us. The man evidently had turned away from them so they had to get his attention before they proceeded to talk with him. Acts 3:5-8 5 So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. 6 But Peter said, I don t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk! 7 Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. 8 So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them walking, leaping, and praising God. Share the love of Christ through those encounters. Verses 5-6. The lame man did as they requested and turned to them. It s possible he had heard the apostles preaching or heard about the miracles they had been doing in Jerusalem. But he probably did not know them by sight so he simply expected to get something from them. Maybe it had happened before that when someone spoke to him directly they were about to give him a significant sum of money. Thus the man gave them his attention. 120 Session 10

37 But his expectation was quickly disappointed. Immediately Peter spoke and said, I don t have silver or gold. The man s heart must have sank as he realized he wasn t getting any money from the men. But Peter wasn t finished he had something else to say. But what I have, I give you. One can only imagine the thoughts that must have run through the lame man s mind as he wondered if he was really going to get something significant. Then Peter invoked the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. A person s name represented everything about the person, especially the person s attributes and characteristics. Thus the name of Jesus Christ represented His divine identity, authority, and power. Calling on the name of Jesus Christ was not a magic formula that forced Jesus to act (as Acts 19:13 17 confirms). Rather, it was a declaration of the Lord s power and authority to heal the man and the means by which Christ s power was released to work through Peter. To clarify the identity of Jesus Christ, Peter added that He was the Nazarene. Nazareth was a small village in the hill country of lower Galilee, about midway between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea. By identifying Jesus as the Nazarene, Peter was stating that this was the same Jesus from the town of Nazareth who had ministered throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. This was the same Jesus who had done miraculous things people had talked about healing those who were blind and lame, driving out demons, and even raising the dead. This was the same Jesus who was crucified by the Romans. This was the same Jesus who a large group of Jews believed was raised from the dead and was still the subject of conversation in Jerusalem. This was the same Jesus who Peter called on as he commanded the man to get up and walk! What Peter offered the lame man was far better than any amount of money. The man was given the opportunity to walk like everyone else; something he had never done before. Verse 7. Peter then reached out and grabbed the man s right hand and raised him up. This sentence appears to indicate the lame man s initial reluctance to act on Peter s command; after all, he knew his legs were useless. Just because a stranger told him to stand up and walk didn t mean he believed it would happen. The Greek word for taking is often used of someone being captured or apprehended and is sometimes translated seize (John 7:30,44; 10:39). Here it pictures Peter holding tightly to the man and pulling him to a standing position. Similar to some of Jesus healing miracles, Peter s touch was the conduit through which God s power flowed to bring healing and enable the lame man to stand up. GUIDE: Invite a volunteer to read the quote by Stephen Grellet (PSG, p. 120) : I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. Make the point that this should be also should be our attitude toward others we meet every day. SAY: Calling on the name of Jesus Christ was not a magic formula that forced Jesus to act. Rather, it was a declaration of the power and authority of the Lord to heal the man and the means by which Christ s power was released to work through Peter. GUIDE: Refer group to reflect on the two principles (PSG, p. 121) we can learn from Peter and John on intersections: 1. Peter and John gave what they had. 2. Peter and John relied on Jesus. 121

38 THE POINT We intersect daily with people who need Christ. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 121): When have you seen Jesus make a dramatic difference in someone s life? (Alternate: When have you felt led to care for someone in need?) TRANSITION: Note that it is not an every week worship experience to witness a miracle that has taken place. But it may be that we have lowered our expectations to the point that we never expect God to show up and do amazing things. When He does, people take note. Unlike a rehab patient who gradually regains the use of his legs, complete healing happened at once for the formerly lame man. As Peter pulled him up the man discovered his feet and ankles had instantly become strong. Verse 8. The man wasted no time getting familiar with his new legs. We might have expected him to be like a toddler, taking a while to get adjusted to walking, but this was not the case. First the man jumped up. Then the man stood, which was the next logical thing for him to do seeing if his legs would actually support him. After that he started to walk. The tense of the Greek verb indicates that he continued to walk. Once he got started, he couldn t stop. And he did not need any instruction or help. The first place he went was into the temple complex with Peter and John. The man who had formerly sat outside the temple at its entrance now entered into the temple on his own two feet. While in the temple the man was walking and leaping. The Greek word for leaping is the same word used by Jesus to describe the living water He offers, which is springing up within those who drink it (John 4:14). Inside the temple the man went beyond simply exercising his new legs. He was also praising God. He knew he had received a great gift actually a miracle and he joyfully acknowledged God as its source. By his words and actions he couldn t help but let others know what had happened to him and who made it possible. Other instances are found throughout the Book of Acts of people rejoicing and praising God, both in good times and bad (Acts 5:41; 8:39; 16:25). STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 3:9-10 READ: Ask a volunteer to read Acts 3: minutes Acts 3: All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him. One encounter often leads to more opportunities to share Christ. 122 Session 10

39 Verses The man s actions created quite a commotion. Evidently it was very unusual for a worshiper to leap about and shout praises to God in the temple complex. Thus it s no wonder that all the people took notice of him and his conduct. Isaiah had prophesied that in the messianic age, Then the lame will leap like a deer (Isa. 35:6), apparently no one expected it to happen in that place at that time. The people recognized the man. They had seen him for years as they walked to the temple. He was in fact the same man who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate. The people knew the man and his previous condition of being lame. But undeniably something miraculous had happened to the lame man, because now they saw him walking around praising God. Thus their response was to be expected: they were filled with awe and astonishment. Only Luke used these words in the New Testament. The Greek term for awe (thambos) describes a reaction to a sudden event that can be a response of either awe or fear. The Greek word for astonishment (ekstasis, from which we get our English word ecstasy ) is sometimes translated visionary state (Acts 10:10; 11:5; 22:17). The word can refer to a mind that s been thrown out of its normal state. This was what the people in the temple experienced the formerly lame man walking, jumping, and praising God right before their very eyes. This was not normal! What they saw stopped them in their tracks. They were overwhelmed with a sense of reverent fear at the miracle they witnessed. However, awe and astonishment are not the same as repentance and faith. A person can be astonished by someone or something without realizing the true meaning and purpose behind the event. In Acts 3:11 26, Peter would seize the opportunity to preach to the people in the temple, proclaiming that the miracle the crowd had observed of the man formerly lame healed and walking bore witness to the reality of the power of God and the salvation now available from God through His Messiah, Jesus Christ. Read the article Alms and Almsgiving in the Fall 2016 issue of Biblical Illustrator. Previous Biblical Illustrator articles Simon Peter: His Years of Ministry (Fall 2012), John, Follower of Jesus (Winter ), Begging in Jerusalem (Fall 2003), Peter s Messages (Fall 2000), and Peter s Miracles (Fall 2000) relate to this lesson and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at biblicalillustrator. Look for Bundles: Bible Studies for Life. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 122): How have you been affected personally by others obedience to Christ? GUIDE: Refer members to Intersections of Hope (PSG, p. 124) and ask them to jot down some intersections where they may encounter people who need the gospel message. SAY: What are some ways our group can help get the gospel message out in those places? List some means that might demonstrate God s grace and power there. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 124): How can we make room now so we can say yes to future opportunities to serve? (Alternate: How can we take the initiative to meet needs and share the gospel?) 123

40 THE POINT We intersect daily with people who need Christ. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: We intersect daily with people who need Christ. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 125 see text to the right). Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Encourage members to pay attention to the people they encounter in coming week who have special needs. Be on the lookout for ways to provide compassion and possibly meet a need. Look for opportunities to share the gospel with those who need Jesus. LIVE IT OUT Peter and John had a decision to make: Do we keep walking and carry on with our plans, or do we stop to see what God will do? We also face similar decisions. Our choices at those seemingly insignificant intersections can change a life s course. > > Look. Look for opportunities God has placed in your path to help someone in your family or church. Allow your schedule to be interrupted this week to minister by listening, offering encouragement, praying with someone, or helping with a need. > > Respond. Respond to opportunities God has placed in your path to reach out to someone at work or in your neighborhood. When you see a need, determine to be a first responder. Ask God to use you to show the love of Jesus to someone who doesn t know Him. > > Discover. Discover opportunities God has opened for you to show Christ s love to people in need nationally or globally. Respond to an opportunity to give, pray, or go to help someone far from you know the love of Jesus. PRAY: Ask God to open our eyes to people we will intersect with this week who need the gospel. Ask God to give us the courage to share what we have Jesus. 124 Session 10

41 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/RANDY HUGHES Model of Herod s Temple The following excerpt is from the article Herod s Temple (Winter, ), which relates to this session and can be purchased at Within the temple were three distinct areas. The first was designated for the women, the second for the men of Israel, and the third for the priests. The first section was called the women s court because women could go no farther. The next section was the court of the men of Israel. It was elevated above the court of the women. Access was gained through six gates, three on the north and three on the south, and by an opening, the Nicanor Gate, from the women s court. Moving through the court of the priests, one came to the inner recesses of the sanctuary. SHARING THE GOOD NEWS It s so important to always be prepared to share the gospel with people that we meet in the intersections of life. Even when it s at church or when our group gathers off site. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. The temple proper was set on a small terrace. A sign written in both Greek and Latin warned non- Jews: No Gentile may enter within the railing around the Sanctuary and within the enclosure. Whosoever should be caught will render himself liable to the death penalty which will inevitably follow. It consisted of a porch, the holy place and the holy of holies. Read the article Alms and Almsgiving in the Fall 2016 issue of Biblical Illustrator. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 125