Acts 4:23-37
What bold move are you contemplating: Dating someone new? Singing a solo? Leading a group? Starting a new career?
With what group have you sensed the most unity: A team? Bible Study? Family?
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- How do the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:15-17 and the disciples each view themselves and God? How do believers respond to the Sanhedrin’s threats?
- Why would the disciples begin the praying by recalling God's sovereignty in Acts 4:24-28? What do they confess about God? What do they ask God to do?
- What happened as a result of their prayer? What had the disciples been praying for when this happened?
- Did God allow, direct or anticipate Jesus' crucifixion? Read Acts 2:23; 3:17-18.
- How might Acts 1:8 be shaping the disciples' prayer in Acts 4:29-30?
- What is one purpose of the Holy Spirit after considering Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31?
- What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to successful Christian living? Moral courage? Evangelism?
- What attitudes, priorities, and feelings does the prayer reflect?
- Compare Acts 4:32-35 with Acts 2:42-47. What qualities mark this church?
- What does the name Barnabas mean? Why did the apostles give him this nickname? Name someone you have known who had a special gift for encouraging others.
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- How are your prayers in crisis like and unlike this prayer in Acts 4:24-30? Why would it be beneficial to recall God's character and actions in history?
- How is your Christian life characterized by boldness?
- How well does Acts 4:32 describe your relationship with others in your church? What would have to change for such sharing to be possible?
- Why did the believers sell their goods to support others who were in want (4:32)? How was this generosity related to 4:33?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Document for DBS
Series: Immeasurably More “Revival & Revolution in Acts”
It sometimes takes something big and extraordinary to get our attention. In the book of Acts, we see God establish and unleash the Church, and change the world forever! With just a handful of eyewitnesses and a powerful story, God did more than anyone could’ve imagined. And He still does today. It’s time to open your eyes and see God do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.
Title: “Holy Boldness” (Acts 4:8-31)
Bookmark: Click Here
Opening Thoughts: Speaking with boldness about Jesus comes from a place of conviction about him. When the stakes are high and the pressure is mounting, will you step up and speak out for Jesus?
Prayer: God, help us dare to imagine what you can do, and give us the faith to see when you do it.
Challenge us to imagine what God is doing and be aware of it.
Romans 10:14 NIV - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Do you let opportunities go by without saying something?
A person’s dress with an exposed price tag.
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Text: Acts 4:8-31
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.’
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. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
The Believers Pray
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
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Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
Reflections for applications:
Your greatest credential for sharing your faith is your connection to Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV - We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
Observations:
BOLDNESS is born out of conviction
BOLDNESS is powered by the Holy Spirit
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
BOLDNESS is not abrasiveness
Ephesians 4:15
They didn’t pray for an easier path, for protection, or for deliverance. They prayed for boldness!
Challenge to say this prayer throughout the series: “God, help us dare to imagine what you can do, and give us the faith to see when you do it.”
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Digging Questions:
How will you respond to God’s “Revival”? What transformative move needs to be made?
What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Hashtags #ImmeasureyMore #God #Revival #Spirit #Boldness
Sunday sermon link https://youtu.be/lOtnq-fFthw
Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes
Comments and resources with some more resources:
https://youtu.be/wv4outli0Po
https://youtu.be/8ufnF6M98k8
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