SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

The hope of our writing team and staff is for this material to provide valuable content around Scripture, biblical principle(s), themes, or books of the Bible being taught. The purpose of this Discussion Guide is to encourage us to KNOW, GROW, and GO in our relationship with Jesus by creating:

Conversation amongst one another
A better understanding of God’s Word
Application of Scripture in our lives

For each Small Group, our prayer is that every member has the opportunity to share ideas and thoughts during group. For our leaders, facilitation (not teaching) achieves this goal. As discussion unfolds, use discernment to ask additional questions if it helps one another to grasp biblical truth. With that in mind, life is messy. There will be times when an important theological breakthrough happens or a member experiences a significant life event that gives good reason to intentionally pause the study and allow discussion to go in a different direction. There is always freedom to pivot when necessary.

We understand that everyone is coming to a Small Group with a wide range of biblical understanding. We hope each person will walk away with an increased knowledge of the specific passage and its place in the broader Biblical narrative and apply its truth to their lives. Small Group discussions can be a springboard for group members to dive deeper into their own personal study and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

OVERVIEW OF SCRIPTURE

Main Scripture: Acts 5:27–42

Author and Audience: The Book of Acts does not specifically identify its author. From Luke 1:1–4 and Acts 1:1–3, we know that the same author wrote both Luke and Acts. Scholars agree that Luke, a companion of the apostle Paul, wrote the books of Luke and Acts (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11). Luke was a doctor who accompanied the Apostle Paul on several missionary journeys.

Date of Writing: The book of Acts was likely written between AD 61 and 64.

Purpose of Writing: The Book of Acts provided a history of the early church. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Acts records the apostles being Christ’s witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding world. The book of Acts sheds light on the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our Counselor. The book of Acts covers the transitional time between the ascension of Christ and the completion of the New Testament canon. It also serves as a transition from the Old Covenant to the New.

Brief Summary: The book of Acts gives the history of the Christian church, the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (locally, regionally, globally), and the mounting opposition to it. It was primarily written for believers and those who were not Jewish. The Book of Acts covers 30-40 years and shows how Christians and the church were outward-focused. The Book of Acts gives us a glimpse into how Christ-followers, even under Roman rule, were good citizens, reasonable, peaceful, and charitable. Throughout the 28 chapters, the Book of Acts tells the story of how God first invited the Jewish people, and then people of all nations, to follow Jesus.

Practical Application: God can do amazing things through ordinary people when He empowers them through His Spirit. The book of Acts shows how God essentially took a group of fishermen and commoners and used them to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). God took a Christian-hating murderer and transformed him into history’s greatest Christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the New Testament. God used the persecution the Christians endured to help stimulate the incredibly rapid expansion of the fledgling church. God can and does do the same through us—changing our hearts, empowering us by the Holy Spirit, and giving us a passion to spread the good news of salvation through Christ. If we try to accomplish God’s work in the world in our own power, we will fail. Like the disciples in Acts 2, we must faithfully proclaim the Gospel, trust God for the results, and devote ourselves “to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

KNOW

Read Acts 5:27.

Who is “them” and why were the religious leaders so upset with “them?” See Acts 5:18, 29.

In light of Acts 5:28, Read Matthew 27:20–25 paying special attention to verse 25.

How do the religious leaders’ actions in these two passages of Scripture contradict themselves?
What do you think led them to take such a polar opposite stance in terms of their responsibility for Jesus’ death?
Why do you think they refer to him as “this Man” and refuse to even say His name?
Why is the name of Jesus more disruptive than saying, “God, church, Christianity, etc.?”

In Acts 5:30, Peter directly accuses the council of murder. This is a particularly poignant accusation because it openly calls them out as murderers in front of everyone, defying their authority, assaulting their spirituality, and threatening their power over the people. The word for murder is “diacherizo” which means “to put to death with one’s own hands.”

What is the significance of Peter using this exact word (diacherizo) with this specific group of leaders?
What ramifications would it have on them if it were indeed true (which of course, it was)?

Read Acts 5:33.

Why do you think the Jewish leaders reacted so strongly and with such hatefulness?
What does their response prove about them?
Why do you think truth often invokes an intense reaction from those who openly reject it?

Gamaliel was a highly respected Pharisee whose council seemed wise to the religious leaders.

Read Acts 22:3–5, who did Gamaliel mentor? Based on the actions Paul describes in this text, what can we glean about who Gamaliel was as a leader and what values he instilled within his students?
Was Gamaliel’s advice to the council truly wise? Is it true that “whatever plan succeeds in life has God’s blessing?” Why or why not?

Read Acts 5:40–42.

How did the apostles respond to being beaten for sharing about Jesus Christ?

Compare 1 Peter 4:13 and Colossians 1:24 to the apostles’ response in Acts 5:41–42.

Although it seems counterintuitive, how does possessing joy after being persecuted show solid evidence that the * Holy Spirit has sincerely changed a person’s heart?
How can suffering and persecution change and impact us in a good way?

GROW

Remember your discussion from the above when you discussed Acts 5:28 and Matthew 27:20–25. The religious leaders placed the blame for their sin on others.

Why is it that we can sometimes place the blame for our sin anywhere and everywhere except with ourselves?
How can we recognize and correct our actions in such a circumstance?

In Acts 5:33 the council and the religious leaders were enraged.

Have you ever seen someone react with anger or open contempt when faced with the reality of their sin and their need for a savior?
How could we as believers (thinking outwardly) help someone who gravitates towards this type of response to hearing the Gospel?

In Acts 5:27, 29 the apostles were commanded not to share the name of Jesus. Peter and the others responded by saying, “We must obey God rather than men.”

How would we respond in such a scenario? What fears or apprehension would you have if commanded not to share the name of Jesus?
What would strengthen or prepare you to be bold in a moment like the apostles faced?

Read Romans 5: 3–5, 1 Peter 5:10, and Psalms 34:19.

Can you think of a time in your life when suffering produced a stronger character or faith for you? Share with your small group.

In today’s message we heard, “You should never feel guilty for being blessed… you should just feel responsible.”

How can we take everything we’ve been blessed with and responsibly use it for the mission of Jesus?

GO

What would it take to be so outward focused, in our prayers and life, to have the last thing we’re focused on be ourselves?

In Acts 5:28 we read that all of Jerusalem was filled with the apostle’s teaching. In short the Christ-followers had filled all of Jerusalem with the gospel!

It is believed that Jerusalem had a population of about 100,000 at that time, and Hilliard has about 40,000 now. Discuss practical ways each of us can fill our local communities with the Gospel?

The apostles remained steadfast in sharing their faith in Jesus even while being surrounded by people who viewed this unfavorably. Think about one person in your sphere of influence that needs to know Jesus and pray for boldness in interacting with them.

How can you share the life change Jesus has made in you with them?
In the coming weeks, invite that person to coffee, dinner, a ministry event, or maybe church (if they’re ready).

PRAYER

Small Group Prayer Requests: Take some time to gather prayer requests from the group. Have someone write these down to see how God moves and answers prayer.

Northwest Prayer Highlight: Continue to focus on our 60-Day Prayer Challenge of praying twice a day for:

The presence of God
Increased faith
Purity of God
Boldness