Bible ReadingActs 4:5–12 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
[01:05] [02:20] [03:46] [04:16]Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
[07:50]Acts 5:1–11 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
[14:48] [16:58]Acts 6:1–7 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
[21:15] [22:18]Observation questions- When Peter is asked by what power the lame man was healed, what parts of Peter’s answer make it clear that he refuses to take credit for himself? [03:17]
- What did the rulers notice about Peter and John, and what explanation did they give for their boldness in Acts 4:13? [08:23]
- What was the difference between Barnabas’s giving and the actions of Ananias and Sapphira?
- What qualities did the church look for in the seven people chosen to serve, and what specific need were those servants appointed to address? [22:18]
Interpretation questions- Peter says the healing happened in the name of Jesus, and salvation is found in no other name. What does it mean for a believer to live, speak, and serve in Jesus’ name rather than in personal strength or for personal recognition? [06:17]
- The leaders recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. Why might time in prayer, worship, and God’s presence produce a kind of courage that knowledge alone cannot produce? [10:07]
- Ananias and Sapphira were not condemned because they kept part of the money, but because they lied and wanted to appear more surrendered than they were. Why is honesty before God so important for genuine spiritual boldness? [17:19]
- Acts 6 connects being full of the Spirit and wisdom with serving a practical need in the church. What does this show about the relationship between spiritual maturity and ordinary acts of service? [21:40]
Application questions- Where do you currently feel pressure to be quiet about your faith, compromise what God has asked of you, or back away because of fear? What would it look like to take one faithful step in that situation? [06:47]
- Prayer is more than spoken words; it is an awareness that God is near throughout the day. What ordinary moment this week—driving, working, caring for family, or facing a difficult conversation—could become a regular place of prayer for you? [12:41]
- What false identity or repeated lie has been speaking loudly in your mind—“I have failed too much,” “I am not enough,” or “I cannot do this”? How can you bring that lie before Jesus in prayer and replace it with what God says is true? [13:17]
- Public courage needs private integrity underneath it. Is there any area where you have been more concerned with looking spiritually faithful than being honestly surrendered to God? What would honest obedience look like there? [18:06]
- Think about an assignment God may be placing in front of you: serving, encouraging someone, sharing your faith, repairing a relationship, or stepping into a ministry need. What fear has kept you from moving, and what small step of obedience could you take this week? [23:01]
- Courage often comes after obedience rather than before it. Can you name a time when you acted in faith while still afraid and found that God met you there? How might that experience help you face your next step? [24:35]
