The Spirit of Truth and Generosity

Transcription

1 SESSION 3 The Spirit of Truth and Generosity Summary and Goal Generosity should be a defining characteristic of the church because God is generous. The Father gave His Son. The Son gave His life. The Father and the Son gave the Spirit. And the Spirit gives the followers of Christ hearts of generosity. The Spirit works through these hearts to bring unity to the body of Christ through their loving support for one another. Greed is contrary to who God is and invites His judgment. The Holy Spirit of God helps us distinguish between generous and greedy giving. Main Passage Acts 4:32 5:11 Session Outline 1. The Spirit strengthens the church in unity and generosity (Acts 4:32-35). 2. The Spirit distinguishes between generous and greedy giving (Acts 4:36 5:2). 3. The Spirit judges and purifies the church (Acts 5:3-11). Theological Theme Sin in the church must not stand in the way of the gospel s expansion. Christ Connection In obedience to the Holy Spirit s prompting, the early Christians shared their resources and gave generously to those in need, just as Jesus gave up heavenly riches to share His inheritance with all who trust in Him. But Ananias and Sapphira s deceptive action was a sin against the church and against the Spirit. The Spirit distinguishes between giving that is from a heart of generosity and giving that is greedy and deceitful. Missional Application God calls us show our unity with other believers, always being generous and honest as a reflection of Christ s truth and love. Date of My Bible Study: LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

2 Session Plan The Spirit of Truth and Generosity Pack Item 3: Spirit-Led Giving Throughout this session, refer to the points on this chart that relate to Barnabas Spirit-led giving and Ananias andsapphira s greedy form of giving that grieved the Holy Spirit. Point 1 Option Prior to the group meeting, enlist a volunteer from your church or community who is involved with social causes or mercy ministries (e.g., crisis pregnancy centers, homeless shelters, etc.). During the group meeting, read the Essential Christian Doctrine Social Concern (leader p. 36; PSG p. 30). Then ask your volunteer to share about his or her Christian motivation to serve in this capacity and to address the following questions during the presentation (a printable copy of these questions is available on the DVD in The Gospel Project for Adults: Leader Pack): Why should Christians, more than anyone else, care about human society and your area of work in particular? How much does your work depend on generosity? Introduction Contrast Ulukaya and Shkreli and what their actions have said about their respective worldviews (leader p. 34; personal study guide [PSG] p. 28). How might you expect these two business leaders to view the world differently and live differently from each other? Clarify that the Bible teaches the world is a place of abundance; then summarize this session on Christian generosity (leader pp ; PSG p. 29). 1. The Spirit strengthens the church in unity and generosity (Acts 4:32-35). Ask a volunteer to read Acts 4: Recall Jesus teaching about relationships between believers from Mark 3: Explain why Jesus teaching was scandalous for His day, and shocking for ours (leader pp ; PSG pp ). How have you experienced the blessing of the family of God? State that in Acts 4, these new Christians now found themselves part of a new family with brothers and sisters in Christ. Thus, if someone had a need, they responded with radical generosity. Emphasize that love for the family of God is the centerpiece of the passage. We need to ask ourselves how we ve made space for that kind of generosity with our own resources for the sake of other Christians (leader pp ; PSG pp ). Why might biblical stories and examples of radical generosity make us nervous? What would a life of radical generosity in the church look like today? 32 Leader Guide

3 2. The Spirit distinguishes between generous and greedy giving (Acts 4:36 5:2). Read Acts 4:36 5:2. Talk about the issues of the heart raised by the examples of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira (leader pp ; PSG pp ). What are some ways dishonesty might creep into our giving? How can we guard ourselves against dishonesty in giving? Connect the hypothetical scenario of a husband giving his wife a new Lexus for Christmas with the motivations of Ananias and Sapphira (leader p. 38). Encourage your group members to examine their own motives for giving (leader p. 39; PSG p. 32). (Highlight some of the characteristics of Spirit-led giving on Pack Item 3: Spirit-Led Giving to help your group evaluate their hearts.) For Further Discussion Why do we often fail to see hidden or ongoing unrepentant sin as a matter of life and death? Why should we see disassociation from the church in discipline as more serious than receiving the death sentence from a secular court of law? How can reflecting on the gospel of Jesus lead us to joy in generous giving for the benefit of others in need? 3. The Spirit judges and purifies the church (Acts 5:3-11). Read Acts 5:3-11. Acknowledge the shocking nature of the couple s death and why this punishment was necessary since the unity of the family of God was at stake (leader pp ; PSG p. 33). (Consider comparing this New Testament judgment scenario with the Old Testament narrative of Achan s disobedience and judgment using Pack Item 2: Hearing the Old Testament in the New.) How might this biblical narrative feed into some misconceptions people have about the God of the Bible? What truths of the Bible would help us respond to those misconceptions? Speak to how the Spirit s judgment was necessary in the life of the church. Add that the discipline we experience may not be as severe as Ananias and Sapphira s, but sin always has consequences. Note the Spirit-guided process taught in the New Testament that is meant to preserve the purity and unity of the church (leader pp ; PSG p. 34). What do the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira say about the purity of the church? Conclusion Express that Jesus serves as our model for radical giving and the Holy Spirit enables us to follow in His steps (leader p. 41; PSG p. 35). Apply the truths of this session with His Mission, Your Mission (PSG p. 36). Christ Connection: In obedience to the Holy Spirit s prompting, the early Christians shared their resources and gave generously to those in need, just as Jesus gave up heavenly riches to share His inheritance with all who trust in Him. But Ananias and Sapphira s deceptive action was a sin against the church and against the Spirit. The Spirit distinguishes between giving that is from a heart of generosity and giving that is greedy and deceitful.... Missional Application: God calls us show our unity with other believers, always being generous and honest as a reflection of Christ s truth and love. 33

4 Expanded Session Content The Spirit of Truth and Generosity Voices from Church History The Christian ought to regard all the things that are given him for his use, not as his to hold as his own or to lay up. Moreover, giving careful heed to all things as the Lord s, he should not overlook any of the things that are being thrown aside and disregarded, should this be the case. No Christian should think of himself as his own master, but each should rather so think and act as though given by God to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters. 1 Basil the Great (circa ) Introduction In early 2016, Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of the Chobani Yogurt company, made front page news with a business decision. The company had recently experienced raging success, riding the wave of protein-rich fad diets that made Greek yogurt more popular than its ordinary siblings. To celebrate the success, Ulukaya called together his company s employees and announced that he was giving 10 percent of the company s stock to be distributed amongst them. If the company ever goes public or sells to someone else, the stock will be incredibly valuable. If the employees retire or leave, they can sell their stock back on their way out. The result is that some of these employees working a blue-collar manufacturing job at a dairy company will be millionaires. Contrast this with the story of Martin Shkreli, the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, who raised the price of a medication from $13.50/pill to $750/pill. Shkreli was universally loathed for this decision. And yet, it was perfectly legal and permissible. These stories awaken our own inner compass for what is right and what is wrong. But to be more specific, what separates Ulukaya and Shkreli isn t just their character on display in their business decisions; it s their sense of the kind of world we live in. What should we expect from the world? And how should we act as we go about our business in it? How might you expect these two business leaders to view the world differently and live differently from each other? For Ulukaya, the world would seem to be an abundant place, and the proper response to success, wealth, and thriving would be extending it to others, especially to those who made the success possible. For Shkreli, the world would seem to have a scarcity of resources, so the more one can acquire the better, no matter the cost. In other words, it might destroy your reputation to raise the price of a drug 5,000 percent, but if it makes you rich, then it is worth it. 34 Leader Guide

5 The Bible is clear that the world is a place of abundance, and it calls us to a life of joyful generosity in response, whether that is with our money, our possessions, our time, or our very lives. Session Summary Generosity should be a defining characteristic of the church because God is generous. The Father gave His Son. The Son gave His life. The Father and the Son gave the Spirit. And the Spirit gives the followers of Christ hearts of generosity. The Spirit works through these hearts to bring unity to the body of Christ through their loving support for one another. Greed is contrary to who God is and invites His judgment. The Holy Spirit of God helps us distinguish between generous and greedy giving. 1. The Spirit strengthens the church in unity and generosity (Acts 4:32-35). The Holy Spirit inspired radical generosity in the early church, which inspired them to share all they had and to care for one another s needs: 32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. To understand what s happening here, we need to see it in the light of Jesus statements about relationships between believers. In Mark 3, Jesus redefines the way believers should prioritize their relationships. At the time, He was traveling around teaching and eating with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners, and His own blood-relatives were unsure of what He was doing. So they sent for Him with the intention of settling Him down or perhaps even bringing Him home: His mother and His brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him and told him, Look, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside asking for you. He replied to them, Who are my mother and my brothers? Looking about at those sitting in a circle around him, he said, Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother. (Mark 3:31-35) Further Commentary One of the most remarkable features of life among the early believers was their unity. This is expressed here in the words they were one in heart and mind, a typically Hebraic turn of phrase indicating their complete accord (cf. 1 Chron. 12:38) This unity, based on the recognition that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism one God and Father of all (Eph. 4:4ff) in short, on their mutual love of God was demonstrated, as it had been from the first, in their readiness to meet one another s needs, their love of neighbor (cf. 2:44ff). 2 David J. Williams Further Commentary In sum, this unit testifies to the community s mutual care and the concrete expression of its unity in the voluntary pooling of resources on behalf of the community. These resources are used for the care of those in need This meeting of needs is a theme that will surface here and there in Acts. The unity of heart and soul in this community is transparent. Not only do its members declare the word of God powerfully; they also make sure that each one in the community has access to everyday needs. Community life means both mission and mutual care. These occur because people care about one another and the cause they share. 3 Darrell L. Bock 35

6 99 Essential Christian Doctrines 90. Social Concern All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the Spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends, Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth (Mic. 6:8; Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Thess. 3:12). To our modern ears, this already sounds strong. But to a first-century Jew, this was a far more radical statement. As Joseph Hellerman writes in When the Church Was a Family, first-century people prioritized groups over individuals and brotherhood over all other bonds, including marriage: The central value that characterized ancient family relations was the obligation to demonstrate undying loyalty toward one s blood brothers and sisters. 4 We live in an age when people are more tribal and individualistic, and the idea of denying one s own family isn t nearly as foreign, shocking, or offensive as it was in the first century. But in Jesus day, these comments were truly scandalous. He was disrupting the primary way people thought about loyalty, family, and community. To be sure, His comments weren t an outright rejection of His family but rather a redefinition of family. Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother, He said. Our primary bond should not be blood but faith in God. In a way, this statement was actually an invitation to His family members. Rather than respond to their request that He leave the house where He was eating with sinners, He invited them to come inside. It s a picture of how the gospel works. It s not a matter of sinners and the lowly raising themselves up to a level of acceptability but of the so-called righteous humbling themselves and finding community with sinners in the presence of Jesus. We know from the rest of the Gospels that Jesus mother and brothers eventually did find themselves there (Acts 1:14). How have you experienced the blessing of the family of God? In Acts 4, this same dynamic is at work. These new Christians now found themselves part of this new family, and the bond that they once reserved for blood relatives and siblings was applied to their brothers and sisters in Christ. If someone had a need, they responded with radical generosity. Those who were wealthy and had more than they needed sold their resources and properties to provide for others in their new family. It s important not to misunderstand what was happening here. This isn t a call to poverty, and it isn t a demand for Christians to sell everything they have and give the proceeds to the poor. In fact, it isn t a demand at all; it s an invitation. Generosity is a fruit of God s grace, something that an individual should feel compelled to do from their own hearts (2 Cor. 9:7). While in one way this understanding liberates us from any legalism around giving, it simultaneously heightens our expectations for giving. Because generosity flows from the heart, it is a tangible way of seeing the condition of the heart. This is why Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:21). 36 Leader Guide

7 We give to what we love. The picture in Acts 4 is of a church united by the Spirit and motivated by love for one another to radical generosity. Not generosity in general, not motivated to poverty, not disgusted by money or wealth, but motivated by a love for their brothers and sisters in Christ to give sacrificially. Love for the family of God is the centerpiece of the passage. We might be shocked and scandalized by the radical steps these believers took, but we should be more stunned by the love that motivated them. When we examine our own lives, we should ask how we ve made space for that kind of generosity with other Christians. In the body of Christ, we are all now brothers and sisters, and when a family member has a need, it should inspire the family to respond with love, care, and radical generosity. Why might biblical stories and examples of radical generosity make us nervous? What would a life of radical generosity in the church look like today? 2. The Spirit distinguishes between generous and greedy giving (Acts 4:36 5:2). God is always more concerned with the heart behind our giving than the gift itself. Joyful giving, whether it s a lot or a little, whether it s all we have or just a portion, is something that God delights in. By contrast, reluctant giving, constrained giving, or giving that s meant as a display of our own righteousness a way to impress the people around us reveals the heart as well. It reveals a heart that is unmoved by grace, or a self-interested heart. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet. 5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles feet. There s a familiar story here, and one that many of us can probably identify with on some level. Joseph, more popularly known as Barnabas, moved by the gospel and by his love for the church, chose to sell a field he owned and to give the money to the apostles for them to distribute to those in need. We can imagine that there was some kind of applause or at least acknowledgment for what was genuinely and certainly a generous action. This recognition, whether it came from the apostles or the disciples as a whole, was what subsequently motivated Ananias. It was not that he wanted to be generous but that he wanted to be seen as generous. Voices from the Church Believers are never told to become one; we re already one, and we re expected to act like it. 5 Joni Eareckson Tada Further Commentary Like Paul, Luke is ever the master of contrast. Immediately following the brief testimony of Barnabas, he tells us about two other Christians who sold property so they could participate in the church s communal care program. The name Ananias means God is gracious, and Sapphira means beautiful. This was a joint effort even if the cultural patterns of the time put Ananias first. Luke tells us he kept back part of the money, using the verb nospizo which means to put aside for oneself. Already this narrative reminds us of Achan in Joshua 7:1-26. This couple wanted acclaim without sacrifice and comfort without commitment. They caused the first demonstration of defeat within the ranks since the betrayal of Judas and denial by Peter. The outward act seemed so appropriate. Notice the identical wording in 4:37 and 5:2: Put it at the apostles feet. What appeared to be public generosity was actually family conspiracy, but God was looking. 6 Kenneth O. Gangel 37

8 Voices from the Church A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God s. 7 Timothy Keller Voices from the Church There would be no needy believers in our communities either if we were as prepared to share our belongings as Barnabas was. 8 Paul Mumo Kisau When Ananias laid their gift at the apostles feet, the problem wasn t that they held back a proportion of the profit but that they presented it as if this were the whole value of the parcel they sold. (We ll see this clearly in verses 3-9 below.) So the issue was not the amount they gave or the amount they withheld; it was their dishonesty. The lie revealed the truth of Ananias and Sapphira s hearts they weren t giving out of generous hearts but greedy ones, and their greed wasn t simply material, it was also spiritual. They wanted to give so that they would be seen as radically generous. They wanted the praise of the crowd. What are some ways dishonesty might creep into our giving? How can we guard ourselves against dishonesty in giving? Jesus was often critical of this kind of religious performance. While teaching on giving, He said: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the poor, don t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matt. 6:1-4) Imagine, for instance, if a husband were to give his wife a new Lexus for Christmas. It s just like one of those commercials; on a snowy morning, she walks outside to find a silver SUV wrapped in a giant red bow, and she s completely surprised and overwhelmed by the gift. Now imagine what happens if she discovers that this gift wasn t motivated by his love for her but by his desire to impress and one-up his next-door neighbor, who had given his own wife a Toyota. Or if it were to spite a colleague at work or to evoke jealousy from a sibling with whom he had a rivalry. The wife s sense of joy would immediately evaporate, and the gift would be rendered hollow and bitter. No longer would it be a symbol of their bond and their shared joy but a token of his bitterness, his jealousy, or his sense of competition with others. Some could overlook this (it s a nice car, after all), but many would be so disgusted by the twisted meaning of the gift that they d have a hard time driving the thing, or even looking at it. 38 Leader Guide

9 This is exactly what happened with Ananias and Sapphira s gift. Their lies were birthed from a selfish desire either to compete (perhaps with Barnabas) or a selfish desire to impress the apostles and disciples. Their giving was decidedly not born from generous hearts eager to love God and serve His church. As a result, their gift didn t bring life; it destroyed it. For us, their story invites us to examine our own motivations in how and why we give. Are we giving with joyful hearts? Are we giving in response to God s goodness to us? Or are we giving to ensure our names show up on the right lists? Are we generous because we re joyful or because we want to display generosity? To return to an earlier theme, the difference between Barnabas and Ananias was their sense of what kind of world we live in. Barnabas had a sense that the world is abundant; he could share what he had with confidence because he knew that all he had came from God and that he could rely on God and God s people for his needs. Ananias lived in a world of scarcity; he didn t just cling to his wealth, he grasped for adulation and applause. Grasping at money and fame, Ananias soon found that he would have neither. How can reflecting on the gospel of Jesus lead us to joy in generous giving for the benefit of others in need? 3. The Spirit judges and purifies the church (Acts 5:3-11). What happens next to Ananias, and later Sapphira, is rather shocking: 3 Ananias, Peter asked, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Wasn t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God. 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. 7 About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Tell me, Peter asked her, did you sell the land for this price? Yes, she said, for that price. 9 Then Peter said to her, Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. 10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. Further Commentary We must be absolutely clear as to what Ananias sin was. It was not casual deception. Rather, he feigned a deeper spiritual commitment than he had. We share Ananias sin not when others think we are more spiritual than we are, but when we try to make others think we are more spiritual than we are. Examples of Ananias sin today include: creating the impression we are people of prayer when we are not; making it look like we have it all together when we do not; promoting the idea that we are generous when we are so tight we squeak when we smile; misrepresenting our spiritual effectiveness. 9 R. Kent Hughes 39

10 Voices from Church History It is [the Spirit] that sheds the love of God abroad in their hearts, and the love of all mankind; thereby purifying their hearts from the love of the world, from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. It is by Him they are delivered from anger and pride, from all vile and inordinate affections. 10 John Wesley ( ) Voices from Church History God desires to have a holy bride without wrinkle, spot or blemish, holy as he is holy. 11 Peter Riedemann ( ) Ananias was confronted for his deception, and he dropped dead. His wife did too. Some might think this was a harsh punishment, but it was a sign of the depth and severity of their sin, and ours too, for that matter. This wasn t about an accounting error, and really, it wasn t about money at all. It was about the unity of the family of God and how sin violates the trust, intimacy, and communion of His family. Because of the gospel, these Christians were living sacrificially and generously and enjoying the fruit of that generosity. For those with more than they needed, they got to take joy in giving to others. For those in need, they got to take joy in having their needs met. Ananias and Sapphira wanted the credit for their giving. More specifically, they wanted the credit for a greater sacrifice than they were willing to make they wanted the apostles to think they had given all they had received from the sale of their land, just as Barnabas had done. It seems unlikely that they d have dropped dead if they d either truly given it all or been honest about keeping a portion for themselves. But judgment came because they pursued their own glory rather than God s, their own good rather than the church s. How might this biblical narrative feed into some misconceptions people have about the God of the Bible? What truths of the Bible would help us respond to those misconceptions? The Spirit s judgment and the discipline that accompanied it were necessary in the life of the church. Ananias and Sapphira s story is a dramatic example, but discipline comes in many forms, and often in subtle ones. It comes not because God is a cranky and intolerant overseer but because He loves His church and longs for its purity (see Heb. 12:5-11). The discipline we experience may not be as severe as Ananias and Sapphira s (we should certainly hope not), but sin always has consequences, and the pain of those consequences is one way that God purifies and shapes us. If one commits adultery, there are deep and painful relational consequences, and while the gospel assures us that there is mercy available from God s throne, it doesn t promise that everyone else will simply brush off the mistake and that our sins won t leave scars. The pain that comes from broken relationships, from the long, difficult work of mending those wounds, and from uncovering our own motivations is often the very thing that sanctifies us and grows us in holiness. The Spirit works through that pain with us, bears that pain with us, and can bring us to healing. He brings us both to an awareness of our sin and to the possibility of being purified of it. 40 Leader Guide

11 This happens on both large and small scales. Big, earth-shattering relational sins like adultery have obvious consequences, but less obvious and more subtle sins white lies, greed, lust take their toll as well. Their consequences lost trust, lost health, lost desire are all invitations to repent and be transformed by the Spirit of God. In the church as a whole, this works in much the same way. Throughout the New Testament, we see examples of Christians being called to confront one another in their sin and, if one is unrepentant, to disassociate from them (see Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5). When this is a Spirit-guided process, it is one of both great seriousness and great joy, especially as it leads to sinners walking in repentance. The church deepens its purity as it listens to the Spirit, grows in conviction over its sins, and is healed of them by His power. What do the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira say about the purity of the church? Conclusion We live in an abundant world, as seen in the lavish way God made the world and in the way He pursues and provides for His people whether a ram in a bush, a lamb at Passover, or manna in the desert, and of course, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In this abundant world, giving somehow yields more than keeping does. As our supreme example, in giving away His life, Jesus became exalted above every name (Phil. 2:5-11). In following Jesus, we re invited to do the same, not clinging to what we have but giving it away, becoming a servant, and allowing God to multiply it for His good and glory in His church and in the world around us. The Holy Spirit s presence in our lives should inspire such radical generosity, transforming our hearts to mirror Jesus own so that we don t cling to what s ours by rights but give it away to those in need. Voices from the Church The unity believers have is a gift from God by the Holy Spirit that comes to those who submit to the Lordship of Christ. It unites people across social and economic lines and is rooted in the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. The unity of believers in the church leads to a profound reorientation toward worldly possessions. No longer do people think of their possessions as their own. Instead, they think of what they own as belonging to anyone in need. 12 Andy Chambers CHRIST CONNECTION: In obedience to the Holy Spirit s prompting, the early Christians shared their resources and gave generously to those in need, just as Jesus gave up heavenly riches to share His inheritance with all who trust in Him. But Ananias and Sapphira s deceptive action was a sin against the church and against the Spirit. The Spirit distinguishes between giving that is from a heart of generosity and giving that is greedy and deceitful. 41

12 Additional Resources The Spirit of Truth and Generosity References 1. Basil the Great, Letter 22.1, quoted in Acts, ed. Francis Martin, with Evan Smith, vol. 5 in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (IVP, 2001) [WORDsearch]. 2. David J. Williams, Acts, in Understanding The Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016) [WORDsearch]. 3. Darrell L. Bock, Acts, in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014) [WORDsearch]. 4. Joseph H. Hellerman, When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus Vision for Authentic Christian Community (Nashville: B&H, 2009), Joni Eareckson Tada, Glorious Intruder: God s Presence in Life s Chaos (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 1989), Kenneth O. Gangel, Acts, vol. 5 in Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2005) [WORDsearch]. 7. Timothy Keller, Generous Justice: How God s Grace Makes Us Just (New York: Dutton, 2010), Paul Mumo Kisau, Acts of the Apostles, in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), R. Kent Hughes, Acts: The Church Afire, in Preaching the Word (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008) [WORDsearch]. 10. John Wesley, The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption, in The Works of the Reverend John Wesley, ed. John Emory, vol. 1 (New York: Carlton & Phillips, 1853), Peter Riedemann, Confession of Faith, quoted in Acts, eds. Esther Chung-Kim and Todd R. Hains, vol. 6 in Reformation Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2016) [WORDsearch]. 12. Andy Chambers, Exemplary Life: A Theology of Church Life in Acts (Nashville: B&H, 2012), Rick and Shera Melick, Teaching That Transforms (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 274. Study Material Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. -- Exemplary Life Portrait 2: Acts 4:32-35 Chapter 4 from Exemplary Life by Andy Chambers -- Ananias and Sapphira: A Case of Malicious Identity (Acts 5:1-11) Article by Theology of Work Project; find a link to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including Poverty and Wealth in the Early Church, can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. Sermon Podcast J. D. Greear: A Church s Sin and God s Amazing Grace (Acts 4 5) Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Tip of the Week The High Calling of Teaching Teaching the Bible challenges us. We are handling the words of life. We have been called to be agents of reconciliation between God and man, and have been charged with facilitating growth to Christlikeness. The calling deserves our best effort. We must take advantage of every opportunity to sharpen both our understanding and our skills. It is not enough to wing it. God expects thorough preparation Our best, blessed with the Holy Spirit s power, can meet people in the intersections of life and lead them down a better path Leader Guide

13 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Leader Guide CSB Volume 6, Number 2 Winter Eric Geiger Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ed Stetzer and Trevin Wax General Editors Brian Dembowczyk Managing Editor Daniel Davis Content Editor Josh Hayes Content and Production Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor by to daniel.davis@lifeway.com or mail to Content Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at lifeway.com. Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Leader Guide CSB (ISSN pending; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Unit: 1 Mike Cosper is the founder and director of Harbor Media, where he develops podcasts that help Christians navigate a post- Christian world. Previously he served for 16 years as one of the founding pastors of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he oversaw Sojourn Music a collective of musicians writing songs for the local church. He is the author of four books, including (most recently) Recapturing the Wonder. Katie Orr (special session), creator of the FOCUSed15 Bible study method, is passionate about equipping busy women to experience God daily. She is a teacher, speaker, podcaster, and prolific writer for blogs, magazines, and Sunday School curriculum. A former Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) staff member and mother to three young children, she and pastorhusband, Chris, are part of the church revitalization movement. Unit: 2 Jason C Dukes (sessions 7-9) has been a church starter, a church renewer, and tries to be a disciple-maker. He s currently the Multiplication Minister with Brentwood Baptist Church near Nashville, Tennessee. He has authored books and periodically blogs, which you can learn more about at LiveSent.com. He and his wife, Jen, are thankful for their seven children. Daniel Im (sessions 10-12) serves as the Director of Church Multiplication for NewChurches.com at LifeWay Christian Resources. He is also a teaching pastor at The Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, and author of No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts That Will Transform Your Ministry and Planting Missional Churches. He is married to Christina, and they have three children, Victoria, Adelyn, and Makarios. WRITERS