Bible ReadingActs 9:32-43 “Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”
[01:21] [04:03] [18:46] [29:25] [45:32] [48:48]Acts 9:10-19 “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.”
[20:08]Acts 8:26-40 “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.’ And the eunuch said to Philip, ‘About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.”
[19:09]Observation questions- In Acts 9:32-35, what details are given about Aeneas’ condition, how long he had been in it, and what Peter told him to do? [16:44]
- What does Acts 9 say happened after the people of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking, and after Tabitha was presented alive in Joppa? [49:48]
- In the story of Dorcas, what were the widows physically showing Peter in the room, and what did that reveal about the kind of life she had lived? [37:25]
- Before speaking to Tabitha, what specific steps did Peter take in the room? [45:32]
Interpretation questions- Acts 9 never records Aeneas asking Peter for help. What does that suggest about how God’s grace works when a person is stuck, weak, or unable to move toward the answer? [13:06]
- Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa were places where people were constantly moving through. How does that help explain why these miracles led so many people to turn to the Lord? [10:12]
- Aeneas did not give a speech; he simply got up and made his bed. What does that say about the power of visible obedience as a witness to other people? [17:22]
- Peter put everyone outside, knelt down, and prayed before he spoke to Tabitha. What does that reveal about the difference between spiritual noise and spiritual dependence? [43:37]
Application questions- Where does life feel stuck right now—emotionally, spiritually, relationally, or practically? What would it look like to believe that God still sees that exact place and has not lost the address? [02:22]
- Some blessings are meant to become a witness and not just a private comfort. If God brings healing, provision, or breakthrough in a certain area, how could that point other people to Jesus instead of drawing attention mainly to self? [49:26]
- Aeneas followed a simple instruction and his walking became a testimony. Is there a clear act of obedience that needs to happen right now, even if it seems small or ordinary? [16:44]
- Dorcas’ kindness left behind real evidence in other people’s lives. Who is nearby right now that could be helped in a practical way through generosity, skill, time, or attention? [22:16]
- Quiet service still matters deeply to God. For someone who feels overlooked or behind the scenes, what would it look like to keep serving faithfully without needing a platform? [15:03]
- Not every noise is God. What kinds of voices, pressure, or hurry tend to fill the room of the heart, and how can more space be made for prayer before reacting? [46:32]
- Dorcas was remembered because people could point to what her life had done for them. If others had to describe the fruit of this season of life, what would they be able to hold up and say was made, given, or strengthened through it? [37:43]
