Providence Church of San Diego

Text: Acts 9:32-43

Text: Acts 9:32-43

Main Idea: The mission of Jesus continues as He displays His power through Peter, who is growing to be like Jesus, and is prepared for expanded ministry to Gentiles.

The power of God working through Peter.

Luke 8:41-56

The progress of Peter in being like Jesus.

Luke 5:24-25

The preparation of Peter for expanded ministry to the Gentiles.

Discussion Questions: Why do you think Luke recorded these two miracle stories in Acts 9:32-43? What do you make of the relationship between the apostolic miracles and apostolic witness in Acts? How does that shape your expectations in the Christian life today? How does the picture of final resurrection in the resurrection of Tabitha reassure and excite you about your future? How will that affect the way you think today? Why is it significant that Peter stayed at the home of Simon, the tanner? How might the power of Jesus to heal the diseases and raise the dead also break through barriers and boundaries for you to reach people for the gospel?

Text: Acts 9:19b-31

Main Idea: As Saul enters the work of the ministry; he proclaims Jesus, suffers persecution, and is rescued and encouraged by other Christians.

Points of Application:

Ministry involves persistence through suffering.

Ministry involves making the most of peace.

Discussion Questions: What can we learn from Saul's trials? Why is Barnabas an example worth emulating? If ministry is a team effort, how can you help the team? How can Christians make the most of times of peace? What would it look like for you to walk "in fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit" today? Do you want to see the church multiply and grow? Are you willing to be used by God to do the work of the ministry? How can you serve and encourage someone by pointing them to Jesus this week?

Text: Acts 9:1-19a

Main Idea: The amazing grace of God in saving the worst of sinners is on display in the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

The arrest of Saul as an enemy. (vs. 1-9)

Galatians 1:13-14

Conversion is by God's amazing grace not sincere works.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

Conversion involves a life-changing encounter with Jesus in which one surrenders to Him.

The commission of Saul as a saint. (vs. 10-19a)

Conversion is going from blindness to sight by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 26:16

Conversion makes you a new person, with a new purpose, and a new family.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Discussion Questions: Read some of the other passages related to Saul's conversion and note the similarities and differences (Acts 22:1-21, 26:12-23; Romans 1:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:8-10; Galatians 1:11-24; Philippians 3:4-11; 1 Timothy 1:12-17). What are some of the similarities between Saul's conversion experience and other conversion experiences? What does this passage teach about God's grace in salvation? What does this passage teach about Jesus? What practical lessons might be learned from Ananias' inclusion in this story? What about Jesus' commission of Saul resonates with you?

Text: Acts 8:26-40

Main Idea: God leads Philip to a desert area to give the good news of Jesus to an Ethiopian eunuch, who believes and is baptized.

Points of application:

Pray for divine appointments.

Colossians 4:2-6

Prepare for divine appointments.

2 Timothy 2:15

Expect that God will make divine appointments in your daily life.

1 Timothy 2:4

Walk through the door when the Spirit opens it.

Discussion Questions: What does this passage teach about being led by the Spirit? What does this story teach about the need to explain the Bible to others? Read Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12; what does this text teach about Jesus? This week: Pray for God to set divine appointments, do one thing to prepare for that divine appointment, be aware of the people around you in expectation of a divine appointment; and in faith, walk through the door when the Lord opens it for you.

Text: Acts 8:1-25

Main Idea: The mission of Jesus advances as persecution increases and the Christians scatter throughout Judea and Samaria, bringing the transforming power of the gospel with them.

The mission of Jesus advances through supernaturally transformed people. (vs. 1-4)

Discussion Questions: Discuss how God's sovereignty in light of the advance of the gospel after Stephen's martyrdom. Can you look back and see how God uses trials to draw and shape you? How does the power of the Gospel transform people? What are some distractions that Christians "pay attention" to that get their focus off the Gospel? Do you get easily distracted? What distracts you? How can you keep your attention on the Gospel? How does the reality of spiritual powers of darkness affect your life? How could you adjust your daily life to be more intentional about proclaiming the Gospel?

Text: Acts 6:8-7:60

Main Idea: In the life of Stephen, we can clearly see what it means to be Christlike.

Christlikeness is an internal quality with an external radiance. (Acts 6:8-15)

Luke 21:12-15

Christlikeness yields to the Holy Spirit and courageously proclaims truth. (Acts 7:1-53)

Amos 5:25-27

Christlikeness follows Jesus wherever He goes - even into suffering. (Acts 7:54-60)

Ephesians 1:16-19

Discussion Questions: From where did Stephen receive his power? How are the Spirit and wisdom related? How is Stephen like Jesus? How is Jesus "greater than the temple"? What impresses you most about Stephen's sermon? Could you narrate the Old Testament story that culminates in Christ if someone asked you to do so? If not, begin a reading plan that includes Genesis, Exodus, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and Matthew. How does the vision of Christ's standing at the right hand of the Father encourage you? What about Saul's involvement in these matters most resonates with you? What is your reaction to Stephen's willingness to forgive his murderers? Do you need to forgive some people in your life? What advice would Stephen give you? How does Stephen's story inspire you?

Text: Acts 6:1-7

Main Idea: A healthy church will preserve the priority of the mission of Jesus as it deals with growing pains.

A healthy church will have growing pains. (vs. 1)

James 1:27

A healthy church will deal with such pains in a way that preserves the priority of the mission. (vs. 2-4)

Luke 24:45-48

The ministry of a healthy church is shared. (vs. 5-6)

Acts 1:8

God blesses a healthy church. (vs. 7)

Discussion Questions: What does this passage teach about church growth? How should we view it? Why did the apostles consider caring for widows important? Why was the unity of the church threatened? Why must prayer and proclamation be central in pastoral ministry? How did these seven men assist the apostles? How was their role similar to that of deacons today? What does it mean to have shared ministry in a local church? On which do you prefer your local church to focus: management or mission? Explain. What is your reaction to the conversion of these priests? How should it impact your church's outreach to unbelievers? What does this passage teach about appointing leaders in the local church? Pause and pray for the unity of your local church, asking God to advance the gospel through it.

Text: Acts 5:12-42

Main Idea: The mission of Jesus cannot be stopped as the gospel advances by His Spirit-filled witnesses through difficult opposition.

The gospel advances supernaturally despite the tension of the high cost. (vs. 12-16)

Acts 4:29-30

The gospel advances by risky obedience in the face of opposition and danger. (vs. 17-32)

Deuteronomy 21:22-23

The gospel advances because it is the unfailing plan of God. (vs. 33-39)

2 Timothy 1:8-10

The gospel advances as a passionately God-centered church stays laser focused on glorifying God through faithfully preaching Jesus, even if it means dishonor and suffering. (vs. 40-42)

"Now, I charge every Christian here to be speaking boldly in Christ's name, according as he has opportunity, and especially to take care of the tendency of our flesh to be afraid; which leads practically to endeavours to get off easily and to save ourselves from trouble. Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for him who died lovingly for you." - C.H. Spurgeon

Discussion Questions: Do you feel any tension from the high cost of following Jesus? Why or why not? If the success of the Gospel is ultimately dependent upon Divine power, how should we respond? What risky obedience might God be calling you to? How should an understanding of God’s sovereign plan of redemption before the ages began (2 Tim. 1:8-10) inform and affect your witness for Jesus? What hinderances have taken your focus off a lifestyle of sharing the Good News with others? Upon studying this passage, where is repentance and faith needed in your life today?