citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYyshX28jgs
Objective
To better understand Acts 3:1-10. To encourage people in your group to know who Jesus is, how powerful He is and the Jesus who lives within.
Leaders Note
Choose one or both of first two sections in this study for time’s sake if needed. I encourage you to do the last section – Spend time with Jesus. Discuss what best suits your group.
Have fun Jesus' people as we follow Jesus together.
Read
Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
The gate beautiful
The Jewish historian Josephus described this gate on the temple mount; made of fine Corinthian brass, seventy-five feet high with huge double doors, so beautiful that it “greatly excelled those that were only covered over with silver and gold.”
1/ Expectation
Expect to get something – FAITH
Peter looked at the man who was not named in scripture. The man in turn gave Peter and John his full attention expecting to get something. He had no idea what he was about to get, but perhaps as he stretched out his cup, he was thinking a few dollars or a sandwich.
Read and discuss
Ephesians 3:18-20
may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Discussion and Questions
Do you live with expectation and faith in God almighty?
Do we wake up in the morning with expectation?
Come to church or Connect Group with expectation and an open heart?
What are you expecting today?
We should expect things from God as we believe what the bible tells us. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” We sometimes settle for less than what God wants to give us. Low expectations can rob us of potential breakthrough, new things, provision and a dynamic faith filled walk with Jesus. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can see God do great things in our life. When we are stepping out into new things I love the saying “If you can do it, you would not need God”. Peter and John did not have much, but they had Jesus.
There are worse things than not having silver or gold.
Imagine a church without Jesus, a Christian Walk life living day by day without Jesus and worst of all an unbeliever on their way to eternal separation without Jesus
2/ The Risen Jesus in you
Peter reached out and pulled the beggar to his feet and “instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong”. This was a release of the gift of faith 1 Corinthians 12:9. A supernatural ability to trust God in a particular situation. Peter and John did this under the specific prompting of the Holy Spirit and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Re-read
Acts 3:8-10
He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him
Discuss the responses of the healed man and what should our responses look like when we receive something from God?
As soon as he received his miracle he immediately:
He attached himself to the apostles (Spend time with other Spirit filled, godly believers)
Verse 8 “went with them into the temple courts”
Used what God had given him (His healing and life change experience)
Verse 8 “walking and jumping”
Praised God with all he had (Give everything to Jesus, surrender to Jesus)
Verse 8 “and praising God”
4/ Spend time with Jesus
Read and discuss
Acts 4:1-14
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’[a]
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
Peter and John were ordinary people with an extraordinary God. Peter and John had spent time with Jesus, seen him do miracles and had also moved in the power of God. So, when this opportunity arose, they knew Jesus, seen what Jesus can do, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Possible discussion questions:
(Leader: Allow some people to share some good news faith stories)
How do we develop a deeper relationship with Jesus?
How do we develop faith to step out, hear the voice of God and be bold when God requires?
How does reading Gods word prepare us for good deeds and faith actions?
Read and discuss
Romans 8:11 NKJV
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Imagine what God can do with you. I love the confession Peter made; Silver or Gold I do not have. We often do not have the answers, the skills, or we lack confidence. But we have JESUS. You HAVE JESUS! We can build our faith through relationship with His Spirit, reading the word of God.
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
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