February 3-7
Overview: Unstoppable Mission (Acts 1:6-11)
Without a doubt, God did an incredible work in and through His people on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came upon believers, Peter proclaimed the gospel, and 3,000 people responded in one day! But God did not sustain the early church moving forward by this form of evangelism explosion. We see in the rest of Acts 2 that, out of their common love for Christ, the believers came together, shared meals together, praised God together, and met the needs of others together.
Acts 2:43-45 describes the depth of this love. Three characteristics are prominent: unity, selflessness, and mutual care. Many of the first Christians were so committed to caring for others they even sold their own possessions and property to provide for anyone among them who was in need. That’s pretty radical. But the love did not stop there. Perhaps if the believers had done nothing more, none of us would know about Jesus today. At some point, in addition to praying for and helping people, they had to tell them about Jesus—who He is and why He lived, died, and rose again. They had to give voice to the message behind their loving acts.
God increased the church through preaching on the Day of Pentecost, but He consistently multiplied the church as believers began to love others for the sake of the gospel. So much of Acts is that ripple effect of love: one opportunity leading to another. And the same is true today. Caring for people is an incredible way to open a conversation about Jesus Christ. We never know the power of one seemingly small encounter with a random person. Even when we feel inadequate, God has a way of multiplying encounters with others. May we be challenged this week by the culture and reputation of the early church’s love.
Day 1: True Fellowship (Acts 2:42-47)
1. When did you first meet your church family? What aspects of church life have been especially meaningful to you?
2. Of the activities listed that the new Christians did with one another, which one sticks out to you? Why?
3. As modern readers of Acts 2, we are certainly challenged by how much early Christians gave or sold financially to help others. How would you describe a healthy balance between giving and keeping in today’s world?
4. Think of some specific needs in your local church. What can you do to meet those needs this week?
Day 2: A Gospel Reputation (Acts 2:42-47)
1. According to this passage, how do we know the believers evangelized?
2. Is evangelizing just sharing the gospel? Why or why not?
3. Do you find it easier to evangelize with someone who is your friend or a stranger? Explain.
4. Take a moment to think about these three simple acts: prayer, care, and share. How do these three actions go together with evangelism? In which of the three acts, praying, caring, and sharing, would you like to grow?
Day 3: A Divine Appointment (Acts 3:1-10)
1. How does this passage demonstrate that individuals matter to God?
2. What do Peter and John’s actions toward the lame man say about their priorities?
3. Describe a time when you were obedient to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and He turned a “random encounter” with another person into a divine appointment for the gospel?
4. Notice that Peter and John were not on a mission trip; they were traveling to a place they regularly attended. How, then, are you relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in your day-to-day routine and encounters with others?
Day 4: The Ripple Effect (Acts 3:1-26)
1. Where were Peter and John originally going before they met the lame beggar? What happened immediately after in verse 8? What made that even more significant from the context that verse 2 provides?
2. This passage records the first miracle performed by the early church. There are many other miraculous “acts” of the Spirit’s power in the Book of Acts, but why is it fitting that this miracle is recorded first?
3. How did Peter and John’s interactions with the formerly lame man set up an even greater gospel opportunity?
Day 5: Peter’s Second Sermon (Acts 3:11-4:4)
1. Look back to Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2:14-41. What is similar with this message? What is different?
2. What do you notice regarding Peter’s character and relationship with others when you bring together his interaction with the lame man and his interaction with the crowd? Is there something here that Christians of today need to learn? What is it?
3. What resistance do the disciples start to experience? What motive is behind it?
4. Does it encourage or discourage you that genuine gospel love will be resisted? Why or why not?