Acts Bible Studies (Ch. 1-10) - Ministry Exchange (MX)

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Acts Bible Studies, Chapters 1-10 Acts Chapter 1: 1-11
Introduction to Book of Acts:
- Written by Luke. Part II of a letter to Theopholis (Greek)
- Luke was a doctor, therefore pays attention to detail
- He is a companion of Paul. Traveled with him. So much of acts is eyewitness
- The story of a community that is breaking out. YCF on the MOVE!
Refresher on Manuscripts. Why we use them. Their benefit. Suggestions for how to use them. ìTipsî
Read Acts 1: 1-11. Some personal study
What are some things you observed. Questions.
v. 1-2: ... All that Jesus Began to do and teach
- What is the stated purpose of the authorís first letter?
- What does the word ìBeganî imply? (Jesus has more to come)
- The whole Gospel of Luke is just the beginning of Jesusí work...
- Talk about something that God has begun in you
(maybe last year, this summer, church or youth group
experience, family, an experience you had)
- Why is it encouraging to think about ìBeginningsî when it comes to Godís work
(the best is yet to come)
v. 3-5: ... by many convincing proofs...you shall be baptized with HS
- Why is verse 3 important? (established a risen savior. many is key - 500
people saw Jesus after the resurrection)
- What was Jesusí plan? Why give lots of proof (assurance, prep for change)
- How do Faith and Proof work together?
- What was a convincing Proof for you in your personal faith
journey?
- Keeping the Faith will be hard at times this year. My Friend Daveís wise
words: ìWhen you feel like you are in the Dark, remember what you
learned in the Lightî -- knowing what we were convinced of in the past,
and being reminded of it can help us hold on when we feel in the dark
- What does Jesus do toward the end of his post-resurrection time in v. 4?
- What does he command them (remain in Jer. & wait)
- How do you imagine the disciples are feeling right now? (anxious, on fire,
wanting to know what will happen next, maybe a bit scared)
- So Jesus gathers them and tells them to wait - he knows that they will have an
urge to scatter, either out of fear, or excitement. As Jesus prepares to depart
and impart upon them the Holy Spirit, it is essential that they stick together.
Why is togetherness important at Yale? How might it be possible for
Christians to scatter, instead? In what ways do Yale students resist
unity/togetherness/community?
v. 6-8 . . . Jerusalem, Samaria, Ends of the earth . . .
- Why do you think the disciples ask him this question in verse 6? (ready
to ride the wave ... want to be in on the next great thing ...overthrow
Romans. (power) Also, they are anxious of the future and want to know
what is coming next)
- Is it reasonable? What did they really want?
- How do people feel when they donít know what is coming next?
- What is Jesusí Response?

- Why does he ìkeep them in suspenseî - what seems more important to Him?
(Most important thing is what is coming. Rel. with God & HS)
- Jesus promises them a different kind of Power than they were thinking - the
HS....How is his plan different than the Discipleís Plan? (they will be witnesses
not conquerors)
- How is Jesusí Charge attractive? How is it scary?
- Look at the 3 dimensions of Jesusí charge in more depth. (Jer., Samaria,
ends) - what patterns or principles can you draw out of this charge?
(start at home, ministry expands, shoot big, etc.)
- What do you know about the Jewís relationship with Samaritans?
- How do you think they would feel about this charge, to go into Samaria, and
later into the land of Gentiles?
- How could this same mission be a charge to YCF (& you) today?
- Samaria was a place Jews tended to avoid. Where are places
at Yale (or in your life) that you would rather avoid?
Jesus gave this community a big challenge, but he left them well equipped with his Holy Spirit, the very
presence of God among them. Then he left, leaving the work of becoming a witnessing community to
them, and 2000 years later to us. The promise is that he WILL RETURN! And we still donít know
when....but in the meantime, we have the awesome privilege of being the continuation of all that Jesus
BEGAN to do when he was on earth!
Acts 2: 1-36
Explanation of how we do bible studies in YCF
About 10 minutes to read
Intro, exploratory Questions:
What do you notice?
What Questions did you find?
How do you think disciples felt -- what was going on for them?
What did you make of Peter?
2 sections - here: Experience & Explanation. We will talk about both, but mostly focus on the first
section, vs. 1-13.
When have you experienced Godís power or presence in your life? or if
that is hard to think of, describe a time when you have experienced something bizarre,
unexplainable, mysterious.
Vs. 1-4 (Read)
When does this all this happen?
Who knows that the day of Pentacost is? (7 weeks after the Feast of First fruits)
(one of 4 important Jewish Feasts....attracts lots of pilgrims).
Where were the disciples? What were they doing and why (waiting....just as
Jesus commanded...brief review of last week). They are being good boys
What happens next...someone paint the scene.
What would it have been like?
Letís pause and talk about this first section.
What about this section feels a bit uncomfortable?
(Talk about how Godís power/mystery, etc. can be hard for us today, being
a very rational, tangible, scientific society, etc.)

Why would Godís spirit manifest itself in different tongues like this?
(communication, values multi-ethnicity...other reasons)
Vs. 5-13 (Read)
What happens next...set up the scene
Describe the people listening...what were they like (devout, multiethnic)
Devout or ìSpiritually interestedî
Who are spiritually interested people that you know -- where are
you likely to find the ìdevoutî at Yale?
So how do the people respond? (amazed...wondering what it means...some
skeptical and look for alternative explanation)
What principals to we learn about the Holy Spirit in our first encounter with it -
in other words, what is close to Godís heart on the day he births His
church
(- communicating about his deeds of power...outward focus
- reaching people and valuing their national heritage: He didnít
HAVE to speak in native tongues...most were probably bilingual
and would have likely known the discipleís tongue (Aramaic)
Truly Experiencing God may often feel out of control
- Is this attractive or scary to you? Why or why not?
Some thought they were filled with Wine - What are skeptical alternative
explanations that you have heard about your Christian
activities. What are some you think of yourself?
What do you think it means to have faith in the face of skepticism?
V. 14-35 Letís look a bit at Peterís response
What does Peter do?
Who does it with him? (the 11...standing by each other....this is important)
How can we stand up with each other?
Lots in his Response that we wonít necessarily get to....but what are things
you noticed about HOW Peter responds?
- Use of scripture (O.T.) - knows it well.
- Bold - speaking right to them
- Refers to Godís plan and Power a lot (especially vs. 22-24)
- Identifies with audience ìFellow Israelites in v. 29)
Explain Peterís Logic.
- O.T. talked about Coming of Lord...accompanied by Spirit filling
and signs (this is something that all listeners knew and
expected...common ground)
- We are not drunk....but filled by the spirit.
- Messianic Era has come
- Therefore Messiah has come
Further Corroborates with use of David...
- God had a definite plan with this Jesus who YOU crucified
- Messiah is not bound by Death (Also refers to David)
- We saw Jesus alive. He is Messiah, & YOU are not just innocent
Peter EXPLAINS what he EXPERIENCED in terms the listeners understood.
he ìInterprets Godî on their own turf
Application: Where do you see yourself in this passage? Who do you identify with? Disciples,
Skeptics, Peter?

What would it take for you to be more like peter (boldness to
explain, more experience, etc.) - Be Specific....letís share about
the challenges we encounter at Yale regarding the public
explanation of of our Spiritual lives..
Acts 2:37-47
2. Read Passage
3. Review ñ What are the people responding to and why? (Last Week)
4. What is Peterís Answer to them? Why Repent & Be Baptized. Why both? What is purpose of
baptism?
- Have you ever been public in your faith? What was it like?
5. Exhortation - ìSave yourselves from this corrupt generationî
- What is corrupt about our generation?
- What are some ìargumentsî that we might use with our friends?
6. Community:
- Imagine 3000 new believers....What would it be like? What would you do if in charge?
What would a typical week look like?
- What was the crowd like in V. 42 - what did they do? (4 things: teaching, fellowship,
breaking of bread, prayer)
- Talk about these components. Why is this a good prescription for this growing
community. How might it be a good prescription for us today?
- What two characteristics of this community do you see in v. 44? (together & sharing)
- How is this Radical?
- Why is it Valuable/Important?
- Why is it Attractive?
- How could it be practical today?
7. What happens in Vs. 47? (Together...Temple (i.e. preaching)...goodwill) What does Goodwill of
people mean? Why were people being added? -- (Witnessing Community)
- is this possible at Yale? Can you believe it?
8. What should a true Witnessing Community look like at Yale?

Acts 3:1-16
Introduction:
- Think back and describe a time when you went out on a limb for something and you werenít
sure it was going to work. A time when you remember making a choice where the outcome was quite
unsure.
Read Acts 3:1-16
What is the natural inclination of Peter and John? What is there habit on a given day? (Pray - its not
explicit, but you get the sense that this is an ordinary day, and they were doing what they usually do in
the afternoon).

Relate a habit of prayer to what happens on this particular day - how might their lifestyle have influenced
their bold action? (able to see need better, more confidence, boldness, passion, fire, etc.)
Letís look at the Crippled man...
- What do you think life was like for him?
- What did he need?
- Where do you see people in need around you today?
- Specifically at Yale, what are needs you can think of on campus?
- What tends to ìcrippleî Yalies?
- How Good are you at seeing Needs?
How do Peter & John Respond?
1. Look Straight at him/ îLook at usî - Why was this first step important?
(focus oneself on needs of others, gets manís attention, raise
expectation for man, treat as important, etc. )
- It Committed Pete & John to really do something...not just casual
awareness of needs
- In what ways do we tend to look past peopleís needs?
What factors keep us from focusing attention on others?
(Time, Schedule, self, fear, etc. Lots of possible responses. Discuss)
2. ìSilver and Gold I have not, but...î What are Peter and John saying?
- Felt Needs vs. Real Needs
- What was manís felt need?
- What was his Real need? What is the difference between these
- Why is it important to discern both of them for others? (real
need is the persistent one, but need to know felt in order to connect)
- ìIn the Name of Jesusî - What does this mean?
- What do Peter and John do next after talking to the man? Why is this important?
(they take his hand... actually DO something...lay it on the line, out on a limb)
- God had to come through. They set themselves up to look like fools if it didnít ìworkî
VERY Risky and bold of them. Peter and John donít water it down, protect selves,
have a back-up plan, have an alternative explanation, etc. ì Iím not sure God will
heal you, but....î
- So is this possible today? What principals do we get here?
Boldness
- What does it take to have this kind of boldness in our lives?
- In touch with God (praying)
- Confidence in Godís promises (ìYou will do greater things than theseî)
- Willingness to lay it on the line. Risk.
- Sureness of Godís power/ability, etc.
-What usually holds us back from experiencing a bold Christian life?
(fear of disappointment, lack of confidence in self, etc.)
The Crowds
- vs. 9-11: What is the effect of a healed person on others? (awe)
- How does Peter continue the momentum in vs. 11-13?
(Why are you surprised...shows his total confidence of his position and Godís)
(Turns into a sermon - takes advantage of the moment - has a mission in mind)

- v. 15: ìYou killed the author of Lifeî -
- Why is this a critical part of the message?
- How can we say a similar thing in our message today?
-v. 16: Peter names the Agent of the Healing. He explains and Interprets what God
is doing. Healing/Evangelism connection. We need to explain an interpret
what God is doing and what response is required (in rest of CH 3, Pete calls
for repentance, etc.)
Discussion
Are there ways that you feel ìCrippledî personally, and need God to lift you up?
What do you need in order to live like Peter and John, boldness in helping people
with their real needs
Acts 6:1-15
1. What is the nature of the trouble brewing in this Christian Community ñ what is
happening in verse 1?
-Who are the Hellenists? What is happening to their widows?
Why does this conflict occur ñ whatís the context? (growth, ministry-focus., basically good things
making racial issues be overlooked)
How serious is this issue?
What would it feel like to be a Hellenist?
·
A Hellenist widow?
·
A Hellenist man?
·
When have you experienced something unfair or unjust in your life? Was
Race, family, or ethnic heritage a factor? (note: encourage dialogue if possible around the
race issue. Be sensitive, though ñ talking about racism experiences can be a delicate
matter).
What would if feel like to be a Hebrew?
·
why were the Hebrews in a position of Power or Privilege in this community?
·
Are there ways you have overlooked or are prone to overlooking people of another
race or culture? What about people in need?
·
What factors contribute to this overlooking needy people? (focus on growth,
your needs are met ñ position of privilege, other things seem more important ìit is not right
for us to neglect the word.î
How do the Hellenists address the problem? What might have happened if they didnít bring up their
issues or questions? What can we learn form this model (important to put sensitive issues out on the
table up front, not wait for something to explode)?
Letís talk about how to deal with Criticism in a Christian Community.
Healthy ways and unhealthy waysÖ.
2. How do the Disciples Respond?
·
Call together the whole community. Why was this important? (deal with
race/injustice issues in public. Prevent division. Way to deal with criticism)
·
Clarified their purpose ìnot right for us toÖ.î Why did they say this? (vision,
understanding important things, knowing when to say no)
·
They donít stop there, though ñ go on to appoint leaders. What would have
happened if they simply said ìitís not our problem, donít worry about it, etc)?
·
What are the criteria for the
·
SMALL GROUP LEADERS ONLY: Letís talk about Delegating, how to raise up

leaders. Who are people you already see with leadership potential? ìFull of Spirit and
Wisdom, good standing, etc.î How can you begin to think strategically of cultivating this?
3.
What do you notice about the people who are selected? (All of them are Greek names). What does
this mean? Why is it a significant way to handle the race conflict? (Discuss awhileÖthe implication
that comes out of this passage is that the Disciples have the wisdom to find a way to empower those
without power, to give a voice to the voiceless. Best way to solve the conflict. )
4.
The delegation of new authority, by appointing leaders and giving away power, ends up not only
solving the current crisis, but doing much much more. What do you begin to see about Steven in the
second half of this passage? (full of wisdom. Bold. Begins leading beyond his appointed task.
Canít be stifled).
5. Application:
·
Who are people that could be ìoverlookedî in our community?
·
How you can meaningfully interact with someone from another culture or ethnicity
this semester.
·
SGL ONLY: Where is the Power in YCF? What does it look like to delegate and
give it away?
ACTS 8:4-25
Phillip
What happens in verse 4? (Scattered) Why? (review context from last week).
What did the disciples do when they were scattered?
What does verse 4 tell us about their strategy for World evangelization? (Consumed
with the gospel, place doesnít matter... in fact there appears to be no
overt strategy - just to enamored with the Gospel that they canít help but
share even after persecution and scattering).
How might this effect our own consideration of career, calling, where you
go after Yale? (A key principle is that we are to be consumed with sharing Gospel, and not that
consumed with where we are going in life).
Who was Phillip (1 of the 7 appointees). Why is this significant? (ministry moved way
beyond administrative task to one of power-- mainly because of his character)
Where does Phillip go? What is significant about going to Samaria?
What does he do? What accompanies the message (power/miracles)
When does the power come (after faithfulness to the message). Why does it come? (to
authenticate ministry in new setting).
What would it look like to model Phillip at Yale? Where is ìSamariaî?
Simon
Who is Simon? What did he do? (not just miracles, but taught as well).
What was his passion in life? (Importance, Status, respect, etc.)
Do you secretly long to have verse 10 be said of you? Can you relate to Simon?
Where does Simonís power come from? (interesting question...not sure of the answer)
So what interrupts Simonís World? (Phillip comes to town - another takes ctr. stage)
How do you deal with your world being interrupted? Perhaps having your pursuit of importance
challenged?
How does Simon respond? (Interesting - at first he believes & Follows). What are his
motivations? (Mixed, perhaps. Some genuine, some trying to tap into Phillipís power)
(Leaders Only: Tag-a-long effect is a GOOD sign).
What happens in verse 14? (Peter & John sent. Holy Spirit.) - (Weíre not going to debate the theological

implications of vs. 14-17...they are bit controversial. Does it, for example, mean that when you first
believe you may need a ìsecond baptismî an anointing or filling of the holy spirit? Some churches teach
this and use this passage as an example. Other church traditions teach that the very fact that Phillip was
unable to impart the Holy Spirit is an indication that the baptism of the Spirit was a specific imparting of
the original apostles at key ìbreak-outî times in the churchís growth, i.e., when a new set of believers
came into the fold, i.e., the Samaritans, and then the Gentiles. Clearly not everyone was prayed for, and
future conversions didnít always require the Apostleís presence to impart the Holy Spirit).
What does Simon observe in vs. 17? (Something apparently much greater than the other miracles that
Phillip had been performing....)
What does he do?
What does Simon want? What motivates him?
( Simon wanted not so much the experience of God, the gifts to use for the furtherance of the gospel in
this community, but he wanted the ability to give them out, i.e., the power/status that was evident in the
apostles. - not even like he wanted to do miracles, etc., but wanted to control power)
( Maybe to be above Phillip...he perceived that Phillip couldnít lay hands for the Holy Spirit to come).
(Hint: vs. 23 ìGall of Bitternessî - Jealousy is a big factor)
- Whatís wrong with offering them $$?
- Religion serving the purpose of pride or ambition (status, importance)
- Implication that the Rich can obtain further privilege and power
- trying to control Godís power, not only stupid (canít happen), but cheapens it
- Holy Spirit is freely given to all
What are Peter & Johnís response? (Chance for repentance)
How does Simon respond? (Repents)
How do you respond when given the chance to repent?
Random Bonus question .... Why doesnít Simon drop dead like Ananias?
Application:
How might you be tempted to use your own resources to gain power or status? (In life? In YCF?
At Yale? -various contexts for discussion) What (or whom) are you jealous or bitter?
Acts: 8: 26-38
Opening Question: What does a spiritually hungry student look like at Yale? Especially one who is not a
part of a fellowship.
Read Acts 8
1. Reminder of the Context. What has just been happening in first part of Ch. 8?
2. What does the Angel Tell Phillip?
- What do you think is going through Phillipís head? How would it feel?
(What is he leaving, what is he going to?)
- What does the Angel LEAVE out in his command?
- Notice the kind of travel Phillip is called to....describe a ìwilderness roadî
- Phillip simply obeys. Without knowing the future.
- How would you describe the road you are currently on spiritually -
a desert (wilderness) experience? Top of the Mountain (Revival)?
- How important is knowing the outcome/future to you before
you do something to follow God?
3. Who does Phillip encounter? Describe this person.

- What is the spiritual condition of the Eunuch? (came to worship)
- What was his physical condition (rich, ìforeignerî)
- What is he doing? (Reading) (Note: not common habit to read silently,
so he was likely reading out loud)
4. What happens next? How do you think the spirit led? Does Godís Spirit lead the same way today?
- What is Phillipís strategy for responding to the prompting of God
(Go, Observe, question/invite).
- So, how do Phillip and God partner in this conversion? In other words,
where does Godís direction leave off, and Phillips creativity/boldness come in?
(Notice God doesnít tell him what to do other than to go to the chariot).
5. What does Phillip do in response to the Eunuchís question? (Begin with the context and explain the
Good News of Jesus?)
How can we model this strategy with our friends?
We need Discernment to see the ìChariotsî God bring to us. What else
do we need? (proximity - risk taking to listen & respond). Can this
model happen today? Share examples, real or hypothetical.
6. Why is this encounter so significant?
A. First Full Gentile conversion
B. Ethiopia is considered the ìend of the earthî at this time
C. Nubia - strong kingdom of Africans. Known for Black Skin
D. Eunuch in key position - treasurer to royal family
How do we discern spiritually hungry people like this Eunuch?
What factors can mask them to us (Phillip may have ignored a rich, foreign
chariot - not his culture, not comfortable)
7. By The Way - long term result was a Christian Kingdom for 700 years in Nubia (Ethiopia/Sudan).
Pre-Muslim roots for Africa.
The Phillip Pattern: Willingness to leave comfortable place, even place of Godís move....listen to
the prompting of God. Antennas are up, radar is on, looking and praying in anticipation......follow
the prompting......respond in context to the situation (the ? he asked was key - it was bold, risky, and
if unsaid, they would have likely never really spoken). ......follow up and explain the Gospel.
Think of some possible roads you could travel down this weekend where you might encounter a
spiritual chariot situation. Pray and Ask God to give you an opportunity. Pray or share with each
other to conclude.
Acts 10: 1-48
Opening Question: Would you eat a live cockroach for $20,000 ? Would you eat a bowl of
cockroaches for 20k? If you were forced at gunpoint to eat either a rat or a half-a-dozen cockroaches,
which would it be?
Read the passage - disclaimer: this is a long passage, and we are certainly not going to talk about all
parts, so read it a little more "broadly" than normal. Look for broad strokes, themes, principles.
Particularly, indicate on the manuscript things God is doing to further this master "plan" of His.
v. 1-8: Cornelius.
What is Cornelius' relationship with God like up to this point?
Was he lacking anything?

Why do you think God chooses Cornelius for this very special task of bridging the Jew/Gentile
gap in regards to the church?
Do you think it's possible for people today to fear God, give
generously, pray constantly and still not be saved (be a Christian)?
What was the purpose of the Angel's visit? Why not explain the gospel
directly to him? Why send him to Peter? (What else is on God's Agenda)
Let's talk about the racial/cultual dynamics a bit:
What is the relationship between Jews and Gentiles like? Why?
Did God originally intend this gulf? To what extent?
(confusion of doctrine of election and doctrine of favoritism).
Why did many Jews embrace favoritism/elitism?
Where do we see the same thing in our own experiences today?
Where do we see racial gulfs - what are the consequences that come from them?
v. 9-29: Peter's Vision.
Why do you think God choses this form of communication?
Why does Peter respond the way he does in v. 14?
(Understand - this vision would have been disgusting to a good Jew - mixing unclean and clean
animals. Unclean not
unlike thinking of eating a bowl of cockroaches, or rats)
What is the significance of v. 15? What about all of God's other old testament commands about
these animals? Is He
fickle? (I think the image was meant to be symbolic...., but food chosen for
powerful effect....evident in Peter's response..."pondering the image")
What is Peter's response to the vision? (puzzled)
What does God do next? (bring 3 guys...timing is, well, `God')
What is the connection to these two events? (God is interpreting
the meaning of the vision in profound way - to mean people)
Peter then invites them to his lodging. You wouldn't do this with a gentile,
so it is evidence that Peter has GOTTEN the connection.
(His response in v. 28 also shows that Peter got it).
What happens next?
What does Peter tell Cornelius in the first encounter.
(v. 28 - not to call any ONE unclean...not any THING...doesn't negate the Law, or
imply moral relativism).
Let's look at the Transformation of Peter a bit more:
Get inside Peter's head a bit - what must this experience have been like?
(boxes being broken, stretching, scarry, exiliarating...maybe
remembering things Jesus did & said that didnt't make sense at the time).
How significant do you think it was that God used Peter like this? In what ways?
What did Peter have to a change to respond to God?
We don't have the privelege of a direct message from God, usually.
What kinds of similar transormative experiences do you think He
desires for us today (particularly in dealing with racial barriers,
cultural, non-chrisitan, career/ministry, etc.)
V. 34-48 - In Cornelius' house....
How does Peter begin his speech? why is this significant?
(He relates his personal experience....didn't have to do this. He could have
just given the talk out of it....choses vulnerability. Form of repentance)
What happened in the middle of his speech (Holy Spirit came)?

What do you conclude based on Peter and peer's response? (This is
one step further than expectaion. Didn't know they would get the
same power... Peter, I think, was actually surprised).
What happens in the very end? (v. 48) - (they stay. Evidence of full acceptance)
Application Discussion: God chose to use Peter to transorm him when he certainly didn't have to
from Cornelius' perspective. 2 implications: Call to missions, call to racial reconcilliation
Is there something God may be laying on your heart regarding either of these? (either
Immediately, or longer term)