Acts (Part 10): Jesus Is Building His Church

1. God overrules opposition to advance the Gospel. (17-28)
   

   
   

2. God calls us to obey Him above all others. (29-32)

   a. God’s people should not submit to government when they prohibit obedience to God.
   

   
   

   b. God’s people should not submit to government when they require disobedience to God.
   

   
   

   c. God’s people should be willing to submit to unjust consequences when we do not submit to government.

3. God gives joy in suffering. (33-42)

Small Group Discussion Questions

GOSPEL

1. What truths about Jesus are central to the apostles’ message before the Sanhedrin? Why is the mention of repentance and forgiveness of sins important in the apostles’ defense? (Luke 24:44–49)
2. How should we understand the doctrine of civil disobedience in light of Acts 5:29? (Romans 13:1–7 and Daniel 3:16–18)
3. Why is joy in suffering a distinctly Christian response? (Acts 5:41 and James 1:2–4)
   

   
   

COMMUNITY

1. Why is it important for believers to walk through persecution or opposition together, not alone? (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)
2. Why is shared mission essential to lasting Christian fellowship, and how do we see that in Acts 5? (Philippians 1:3–7)
3. In what ways does mutual suffering deepen the bonds of Christian love and trust? (2 Corinthians 1:3–7)
   

   
   

MISSION

1. How do we cultivate a heart like the apostles—a heart that rejoices to suffer shame for the name of Jesus (v. 41) if that’s what mission requires?
2. How does the boldness of the apostles contrast with the fear of the religious leaders? What lesson is there for us?
3. What needs around us might become bridges for gospel conversations?