Bible Study for Home Church October 31, 2021

GREETINGS!

We would like to encourage you to take some time to read and look at the following scriptures and study points with your group during your time together.

Though we are intentionally meeting in separate homes, we are one in Christ; looking into His Word together, fellowshipping together, and lifting one another up in prayer.

HOUSE CHURCH BIBLE STUDY – Acts 4:1-22

Read the passage together, discussing among yourselves the following teaching points either as you read the scripture, or following the reading of the scripture. These points are offered to assist in starting conversation amongst yourselves; use them however you choose to. If you desire more, please continue with Acts 4:23-31, and/or Acts 4:32-37.

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CONVERSATION STARTER STUDY POINTS

Acts 4:2

Point: They were disturbed because they preached that in Jesus, there was resurrection from the dead. 

Question: Why do you think resurrection was the point that made them upset?

Acts 4:7

Point: They questioned them by asking, “By what power, or what name did you do this?”  This is connected to Acts 4:14. “But because they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”

If they could not deny the evidence, they could only question the source.

Question: Have we ever questioned the source because something did not fit into our theology? How do we reconcile that discrepancy?

Acts 4:8

Point: Peter is recorded as, “filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Question: Do you think it is coincidental that Luke records this right after the rulers, elders, and teachers of the Law asked, “By what power…?”

Acts 4:9

Point: Peter’s response is understandable; “If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness…”  One can almost see the look of confusion on Peter’s face as he tried to grasp why these leaders were so opposed to what had happened. Someone, lame from birth, just was miraculously healed.

Question: What do you think the motivations or reasons were for the leader’s opposition?

Acts 4:10

Point: Peter responds to their question with, “It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… that this man stands before you healed.” And then Peter turns it into a teaching point.

Question: Is declaring something, “In the Name of Jesus Christ” an authoritative mantra to be spoken? Or is it more than that?

Also, opposition sometimes opens the door to create a platform for proclamation where there was only silence. Have you any examples of where you were able to ‘proclaim’ in the midst of opposition coming against you?

Acts 4:13

Point: The leaders ‘saw the courage’ of Peter and John, and were astonished. They took note that these men had been with Jesus. ‘Being with Jesus’ seems to present itself with courage and boldness.

Question: Consider Acts 4:31. What does this tell us how we can ‘be with Jesus’ and witness similar fruit in our daily life?

Acts 4:16

Point: “What are we going to do with these men?” They were frustrated, because the evidence was undeniable, and spoke volumes to the people, and they feared it would continue to spread. Sadly, the question of society today is not, “What are we going to do with these men?” but instead, “What men?”

Question: The modern church, in many sectors of society, is largely invisible or barely tolerated. The ‘undeniable evidence’ that makes leaders wonder ‘what they are to do with us’, is difficult to come by. Is the problem that there is actually not much evidence, or is the problem that the evidence is not being ‘sent’ into the world?

Also, when there is real, tangible evidence, society becomes frustrated and tries to find ways to ‘shut us up.” How do we, or should we respond to that?

Acts 4:19-20

Point: Peter and John’s response to that was two-fold; “Which is right in God’s eyes; to listen to you, or to Him?” and, “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Question: Have we ever wavered between doing what we know God would want, and what we know society would ask of us?” What was the result of that ‘wavering’?

Also, it is hard to speak about what we have seen and heard, if we have not seen or heard much. How do we go about correcting this?

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GOD BLESS your households as we take these last Sundays of each month to learn new ways of worshipping, fellowshipping, and creating opportunities to reach those who either cannot, or will not attend a regular church service.