Acts #4 – Study Questions
Acts 3:1-4:31
INTRODUCTION: It is the power of the name of Jesus that counts, here and everywhere. The idea of names having power is strange to those of us who live in the modern Western world (though we sometimes catch a dim echo of it when some important person, a civic or business leader, or perhaps a senior politician, says, ‘Just mention my name and they’ll let you in’). But most people in the first-century world, and many people in non-Western countries today, know exactly what’s going on here. Of course, names carry power: the power of magic, the invocation of hidden forces, the summoning up of new possibilities beyond normal human ability. And the point which resonates through the narrative from now on is this: the name ‘Jesus’ now carries that power. Mention his name, and new things will happen. This is as true now as ever it was. In this story, it turned a disabled man who sat outside the Temple into a worshipper who went all the way in. There’s something to ponder.[1] Jesus’ name has power because he is the only one who has defeated the undefeatable, that is, death. And, just like Peter and John, when we confront a broken world that needs healing, the single greatest thing I can offer to a hurting world is the truth of Jesus.
GETTING STARTED – There is a tension that Christians must navigate when responding to brokenness and pain in this world, offer material help first and then the gospel, or the gospel first and then material help. Talk about a time in your life where you had to wrestle through this dilemma. How did it go? What would you have done differently? Or, talk about a time you experienced timely help in your life. What changed in your heart from that help? Did it draw you closer to the Lord?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
[1] Tom Wright, Acts for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-12 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2008), 50–51.