DISCUSSION GUIDE
Now is the Time: Acts is a 30-day journey through the book of Acts that calls participants to change our world by engaging with God s Word and acting it out. Note to Ministry Leaders: This suite of resources includes tracks for adults, youth, and children. Companion materials include reading planners, discussion guides, and sermon outlines. Adult Track Youth Track Children s Track To access these materials, go to NowActs.com. Check out the Acts 1.8 Assignment (NowActs.com/Act) and live out Scripture everywhere, every day. Directional Leadership Team for Now is the Time: Acts Dr. Mac Pier NYCLC Rev. Gary Frost COPGNY Rev. Dr. John Edgar Caterson ABS All Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Contemporary English Version 1991, 1992, 1995, 2006 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. Now is the Time: Acts 2013, American Bible Society Cover design by Rob Giorgio Editor: Dorette Saunders, M.A. NowActs.com Now is the Time: Acts is a collaboration between: NowActs.com 2
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ABOUT ACTS Acts is considered the sequel to the book of Luke. When it opens, Jesus commands his followers to tell everyone everywhere in the world what they have seen and heard him do. Before he ascends to heaven, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come and give them power to carry out this command. WHAT TO EXPECT This interactive Discussion Guide is designed to allow each participant to dig into the text in order to understand the struggles the Early Church experienced, and to realize that some of those struggles are still evident today. Prepare to relive miracles as you discuss how the explosive power of the Holy Spirit changed lives and swept through cities, bringing people of other cultures, who were previously excluded, into the family of God. Expect to learn, to be challenged, to grow as you discuss and engage the text and other members of your group. Expect, too, to act on what you have discovered while on this journey through Acts, and use your discovery to positively impact your church and community. GETTING TO THE CORE One of the central themes of Acts is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. As you discuss miracles, challenges, and themes in the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, study them with an introspective eye. What does the Holy Spirit want to do in your life? Does the Holy Spirit have unlimited access to do so? ACT NOW! The accounts in Acts will become alive in the life of each participant if he/she is willing to share the good news of Jesus and prayerfully take action. Each week, for a period of five weeks, discussion points, questions, and activities will challenge you to not only recall what you ve read, but also to look beyond the text for the unmistakable hand of God as he guides his Church. All the Scripture texts are taken from the Contemporary English Version (CEV), an easy-to-understand translation which makes the Scripture come alive. A weekly affirmation called Act On It! taken from Scripture, will encourage you to put learning into practice. Participants will also be introduced to weekly Memory Verses. These Memory Verses provide a point of reference to the text and allow the Word of God to be etched in your mind and heart for lifelong benefit. Continued Next Page NowActs.com 3
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE (CONTINUED) ACTS 1.8 ASSIGNMENT Scripture Engaged is Scripture Lived! During your 30-day journey, you will select, plan, and initiate a group outreach project that we are calling the Acts 1.8 Assignment. Feel free to do a project as an individual, but our hope and prayer is that it will be a church-wide, organization-wide, community, family, or small group project. The Acts 1.8 Assignment allows children, youth, and adults to make a positive difference in their communities and cities by personal involvement and practical application. Adapted from, and used with the permission of Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA, the model presents 50 practical ways to share the good news of Jesus and express the love of God to those around you. Your project will be a major focus for your group over the next 30 days. Here are your next steps: 1. Recruit a group member to be your Acts 1.8 Champion. Your Champion will keep everybody moving forward with the project. Our Acts 1.8 Champion is: 2. Have the Acts 1.8 Champion go to NowActs.com/Act to find examples and ideas for your group to undertake. Your Champion can report back to your group at your next meeting. 3. What do you plan on doing? Share your group project stories and photos on the American Bible Society Facebook page. We trust that this journey through Acts will transform your life and your family, and that you, in turn, will decide to share the good news as far as the ends of the earth or as near as your next door neighbor. Now is the time! NowActs.com 4
WEEK ONE [ACTS CHAPTERS 1-5] 1. When the book of Acts opens, the author refers to a previous letter, a likely reference to the Gospel of Luke, in which he had written about what Jesus did and taught from the very first until he was taken up to heaven (Acts 1.1, 2). On what, however, is the book of Acts focused (Acts 1.8)? 2. How would you explain the connection between Jesus words in John 14.12 and Acts 1.7, 8? Discuss the significance of the connection. 3. Cite some examples of the impact of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of the apostles (Acts 2.40-42; 3.1-10; 4.1-22). 4. Before we can become effective followers of Christ, what changes need to occur in our lives (Acts 2.38)? 5. Why do you think God wants us to yield our lives totally to him (Acts 2.44; 5.1-11)? Prayerfully consider the areas of your life you haven t yet yielded to the Lord and ask God to help you make that commitment. ACT ON IT! We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4.20) Plan to tell someone this week about the good things God is doing in your life. ACTION/REACTION Imagine you were an eye witness of Peter and John healing the lame man (Acts 3.1-10). Write a blog entry describing the account, including your reaction. MEMORY VERSE the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world. (Acts 1.8) Check out the Acts 1.8 Assignment on the Now Is The Time: Acts website (NowActs.com/Act) and choose some ways to serve others in your community as you live out the gospel everywhere, every day. NowActs.com 5
WEEK TWO [ACTS CHAPTERS 6-10] 1. According to Acts 6.1-7, what was the reason for the first known disagreement in the church? How did the apostles solve the problem (Acts 6.3-5)? 2. Briefly describe Stephen s character (Acts 6.3, 8)? What happened to him (7.54-60)? 3. What did the Lord s angel tell Philip to do (Acts 8.26)? What did the Ethiopian feel led to do as he listened to Philip explain the good news about Jesus (Acts 8.34-38)? What character trait is evident in the responses of both men? 4. What important event happened on the road to Damascus (Acts 9)? Describe the highlights of this event. 5. Why do you think Ananias had mixed feelings about going to pray for Saul (9.13, 14)? How do most of us feel about those who challenge our beliefs or mock our faith? In light of your response, discuss Matthew 5.44. ACT ON IT! All who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name. (Acts 10.43b) Take time this week to encourage those who have never put their trust in Jesus, to do so. ACTION/REACTION Basing your views on Stephen s appearance before the council and its result (Acts 7.1-59), produce a short high court video drama in which the prosecution argues against Stephen s ministry and the defense argues for Stephen s right to practice his beliefs. Upload your video for future showing. After the drama, discuss how Christians today, here and abroad, are still being persecuted for practicing their beliefs. MEMORY VERSE Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone. (Acts 4.12) NowActs.com 6
WEEK THREE [ACTS CHAPTERS 11-17] 1. How is the power of God demonstrated in the miracles that are recorded in Acts 12.6-19 and 16.16-40? 2. What conflict do Paul and Barnabas face because of some people from Judea (15.1, 2)? Who ultimately makes the decision that resolves the conflict (15.6, 22, 23; 16.4)? What do they decide (15.28, 29)? 3. Discuss among your group why you think Paul and Silas wanted Timothy to go with them (16.1-5). How might someone like Timothy be useful on a mission trip today? 4. How are the Bereans described in Acts 17.10-12? What did the Bereans practice that we, too, can apply to our lives? 5. Paul successfully manages to bring the church and its leaders together to agree on a critical matter that would have affected the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 15.1-35). Later, however, he and Barnabas disagree strongly on a personal matter until each of them went his own way (Acts 15.39). What can we learn from these passages about the nature of conflict and how to handle it? ACT ON IT! You are to take the saving power of God to people everywhere on earth. (Acts 13.47b) If you are not already engaged in missions through your church or community, research a missions-minded organization that you can support. ACTION/REACTION Luke includes the baptism of a woman named Lydia and her family (Acts 16.11-15) in the book of Acts. Why do you think this information was included? What role did Lydia play in the ministry? (See also Priscilla, Acts 18.26.) Compose a song, A Place To Call Home, (or use a title of your own) with a lead singer and a back-up group, about Lydia s offer to Paul. MEMORY VERSE Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. (Acts 10.34, 35) Don t forget your Acts 1.8 Assignment (NowActs.com/Act) as you serve others in your community and live out the gospel everywhere, every day! NowActs.com 7
WEEK FOUR [ACTS CHAPTERS 18-23] 1. Paul focuses his preaching ministry on the Jews while he commissions Silas and Timothy to preach to the Gentiles. The Jews, however, insult Paul and refuse to listen to his message. How does he respond to them (Acts 18.4-6)? Discuss Paul s response in relation to what Jesus teaches in Matthew 10.14. 2. Paul and his ministry partners are continually traveling in and around Asia Minor. Using the following verses (Acts 18.1, 18, 23; 19.1, 21), locate the cities in which they preached. What was their goal (18.1-4)? How does this relate to Acts 1.8? 3. To whom is Paul s address directed in Acts 20.17-35? What are some of the spiritual truths that Paul highlights in this passage? 4. Describe Apollos according to Acts 18.24-26. How does Apollos respond when Aquila and Priscilla instruct him (18.26-28)? How would you react if someone tried to instruct you in an area in which you thought you were already competent? 5. What are the commands to the Church in the book of Acts? Have they changed for the Church today? ACT ON IT! Lord, please make us willing to do what you want. (Acts 21.14) Are there things in your personal life or ministry that God is calling you to accomplish? If you feel hesitant, pray and ask God to make you obedient. ACTION/REACTION Use a blank wall or purchase a large piece of foam core from an art supply store and designate it your Missions Prayer Board. Seek permission from friends, relatives, or community residents of various ages, genders, and ethnicities (and countries) to have you take their photos to place on your Missions Prayer Board. Underneath each photo place their first name and country. For example: Jorge, El Salvador. Add any artistic designs you would like. Hang the board in a prominent location. As you add photos, pray for the person whose photo is used, and pray for the missionaries who serve that country. MEMORY VERSE God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn t far from any of us. (Acts 17.27) NowActs.com 8
WEEK FIVE [ACTS CHAPTERS 24-28] 1. How does Paul respond to the accusations brought against him (Acts 24)? Review Jesus response to his accusers in Mark 15.3-5. Discuss why you think Paul and Jesus responses were effective. How can being prepared (1 Peter 3.15, 16) and studying the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3.14-17) positively influence our response to accusation? 2. With what political leader does Paul share the gospel in chapter 26? How does the leader respond? 3. What is Paul s message to his shipmates in Acts 27.21-26? On what authority does Paul base his message (27.23, 24)? 4. What does Paul and his partners in ministry spend much of their time trying to persuade people to do? What is God, through the Holy Spirit, saying to you right now? 5. Paul spent all his time preaching the gospel (Acts 18.5; 28.23). How much time do you spend spreading the gospel on a one-to-one basis or on a larger scale? ACT ON IT! You are to tell others what you have learned about me... (Acts 26.16b) Be intentional this week and share the gospel with someone. ACTION/REACTION Using your own style, draw and paint a community mural that includes panels showing Paul s incarceration, shipwreck, his attack by the serpent, and his preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Title it, Preach On! [Acts 28.31] (or choose your own title). Add your personal tags to each panel. Display the mural at your place of worship or the larger community. MEMORY VERSE Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what he promised. (Acts 27.25) Don t forget your Acts 1.8 Assignment (NowActs.com/Act) as you serve others in your community and live out the gospel everywhere, every day! NowActs.com 9
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