Community Group Leader Guide
Acts Lesson 5
Community Group Leader Guide Peter & John Defend the Faith [Acts 3:1-4:31] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS Primer Question: Have you ever tried to tell a friend about Christ? How did it go? What was their response like? Look at Acts 3:1-4:31. This is a very long reading. Due to the length, we recommend listening to an audio version instead of reading aloud. http://tinyurl.com/Acts3-1-4-31 Over the last two weeks, we’ve heard some key points from this passage on Sunday mornings. This evening, we will focus on one thing: what we can learn from this story about evangelism. Throughout Acts, various “ways” of doing evangelism, or elements to evangelism, are demonstrated. This passage shows one. Let’s explore the story and learn. First, what stands out to you from this story? What principles can we learn about evangelism from Peter’s message?
Peter and John depended on the power of God, not their own. They were deliberate in making known that God performed this miracle (vv. 12-16) The healing had purpose & created an opportunity to glorify Jesus. Peter took advantage of the opportunity God gave to share the gospel. Peter knew his audience. When explaining the gospel to Jewish people, he carefully referenced OT Scriptures to show how Jesus was the Messiah.
How does Peter tell the people about Jesus? What points does he make? Why are these significant for them and for us? [Leaders: see Notes for highlights] The healing, as well as Peter’s message, creates quite the commotion, which draws the attention of the religious leaders. What do we learn about evangelism from their response and Peter’s defense?
The Christian message will be rejected by some even though it is valid (vv. 14-17) The apostles’ courage and knowledge came from being with Jesus (v. 13) The Holy Spirit empowered them when they needed it, and will empower us (v. 5) They didn’t pull punches. They explained that Jesus was the only way to God. www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 5
APPLICATION
God gave the apostles some spectacular opportunities to share the good news of Christ! But that wasn’t just for then. God also gives us opportunities to share our story. Read 1 Peter 3:15.
Most of our application will be working through some activities. [Leader, go to activity sheet]
[If time allows, discuss this here. If not, discuss in huddles] This section closes with the believers gathering together to pray. How do they pray through what they’re facing? What can we learn from this? o They acknowledge the difficulties before them, cling to God’s sovereignty, ask for ability to speak the word with boldness, and ask for miracles o Rightly, any attempts to share the good news of Christ depend on God’s power. Let’s likewise commit ourselves to pray in this manner.
PRAYER
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 5
Activity1 Here are some things for us to consider about our own story. I.
Your spiritual journey A. Using an index card, write one word best describing your life during each of the three phases of your spiritual journey to knowing Christ. Then, if you would like, share them without commenting: 1. Before ____________ 2. How _____________ 3. After _____________ B. Write down 3 phrases or words that describe different attitudes, circumstances, or actions you had before you came to know Christ, then share them if you would like. C. How would you summarize your differences and what you had in common?
II.
The story of Jesus Christ A. How did you hear the gospel (who, where, when)? B. What did you understand about the claims of Jesus Christ? This is the part of your testimony that must be clear and about HIM, not you!
III. Victory in Christ A. What is an area you have seen change in your life because of Jesus? A true testimony relates to personal experience. B. How has God comforted you through relational conflict, deep loss, illness, financial or job pressures? You have a message! C. This is how we preach the good news.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 5
Study Notes Peter & John Defend the Faith [Acts 3:1-4:31] BIBLE REFERENCE Acts 3-4 is on page 592 of the Crossway Bible. Use this reference for newcomers.
EXTENDED NOTES (FOR USE IN DISCUSSION) How does Peter tell the people about Jesus?
He talks about who God is (God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) [v. 13]
He talks about Jesus’ life and death
He talks about mankind’s responsibility for crucifying Christ
He talks about Jesus’s victory over death (resurrection)
He talks about the necessary response to this message (repentance, faith)
He talks about what Jesus will bring (wipe away sins, times of refreshing, eventual return)
He anchors his message in God’s revealed word (Old Testament passages that point to Christ as Messiah)
Provided to aid your study and preparation, these additional notes are adapted from various sources, including commentaries, dictionaries, textbooks, and the ESV Study Bible.
1
This activity comes directly from Keller, Evangelism: Studies in the Book of Acts, 42–43. My thanks to him for this wonderful resource on evangelism in the book of Acts!
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Community Group Leader Guide Peter & John Defend the Faith [Acts 3:1-4:31] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS Primer Question: Have you ever tried to tell a friend about Christ? How did it go? What was their response like? Look at Acts 3:1-4:31. This is a very long reading. Due to the length, we recommend listening to an audio version instead of reading aloud. http://tinyurl.com/Acts3-1-4-31 Over the last two weeks, we’ve heard some key points from this passage on Sunday mornings. This evening, we will focus on one thing: what we can learn from this story about evangelism. Throughout Acts, various “ways” of doing evangelism, or elements to evangelism, are demonstrated. This passage shows one. Let’s explore the story and learn. First, what stands out to you from this story? What principles can we learn about evangelism from Peter’s message?
Peter and John depended on the power of God, not their own. They were deliberate in making known that God performed this miracle (vv. 12-16) The healing had purpose & created an opportunity to glorify Jesus. Peter took advantage of the opportunity God gave to share the gospel. Peter knew his audience. When explaining the gospel to Jewish people, he carefully referenced OT Scriptures to show how Jesus was the Messiah.
How does Peter tell the people about Jesus? What points does he make? Why are these significant for them and for us? [Leaders: see Notes for highlights] The healing, as well as Peter’s message, creates quite the commotion, which draws the attention of the religious leaders. What do we learn about evangelism from their response and Peter’s defense?
The Christian message will be rejected by some even though it is valid (vv. 14-17) The apostles’ courage and knowledge came from being with Jesus (v. 13) The Holy Spirit empowered them when they needed it, and will empower us (v. 5) They didn’t pull punches. They explained that Jesus was the only way to God. www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 5
APPLICATION
God gave the apostles some spectacular opportunities to share the good news of Christ! But that wasn’t just for then. God also gives us opportunities to share our story. Read 1 Peter 3:15.
Most of our application will be working through some activities. [Leader, go to activity sheet]
[If time allows, discuss this here. If not, discuss in huddles] This section closes with the believers gathering together to pray. How do they pray through what they’re facing? What can we learn from this? o They acknowledge the difficulties before them, cling to God’s sovereignty, ask for ability to speak the word with boldness, and ask for miracles o Rightly, any attempts to share the good news of Christ depend on God’s power. Let’s likewise commit ourselves to pray in this manner.
PRAYER
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 5
Activity1 Here are some things for us to consider about our own story. I.
Your spiritual journey A. Using an index card, write one word best describing your life during each of the three phases of your spiritual journey to knowing Christ. Then, if you would like, share them without commenting: 1. Before ____________ 2. How _____________ 3. After _____________ B. Write down 3 phrases or words that describe different attitudes, circumstances, or actions you had before you came to know Christ, then share them if you would like. C. How would you summarize your differences and what you had in common?
II.
The story of Jesus Christ A. How did you hear the gospel (who, where, when)? B. What did you understand about the claims of Jesus Christ? This is the part of your testimony that must be clear and about HIM, not you!
III. Victory in Christ A. What is an area you have seen change in your life because of Jesus? A true testimony relates to personal experience. B. How has God comforted you through relational conflict, deep loss, illness, financial or job pressures? You have a message! C. This is how we preach the good news.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 5
Study Notes Peter & John Defend the Faith [Acts 3:1-4:31] BIBLE REFERENCE Acts 3-4 is on page 592 of the Crossway Bible. Use this reference for newcomers.
EXTENDED NOTES (FOR USE IN DISCUSSION) How does Peter tell the people about Jesus?
He talks about who God is (God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) [v. 13]
He talks about Jesus’ life and death
He talks about mankind’s responsibility for crucifying Christ
He talks about Jesus’s victory over death (resurrection)
He talks about the necessary response to this message (repentance, faith)
He talks about what Jesus will bring (wipe away sins, times of refreshing, eventual return)
He anchors his message in God’s revealed word (Old Testament passages that point to Christ as Messiah)
Provided to aid your study and preparation, these additional notes are adapted from various sources, including commentaries, dictionaries, textbooks, and the ESV Study Bible.
1
This activity comes directly from Keller, Evangelism: Studies in the Book of Acts, 42–43. My thanks to him for this wonderful resource on evangelism in the book of Acts!
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
