Jesus’ ministry and followers somehow went from a few loved left ones at the Foot of the Cross to an ever expanding group of disciples and followers who were willing to die for the sake of the Gospel. How did this happen? Something had to have happened. This is that story.
September 9, 2026 - Ballentine Hall 145
Ice Breaker
- Rejoice = THJ PLC MP (Philippians 4:4, 8)
- Share at least ONE THJ PLC MP that you thought about this week and explain.
- What is ONE thing, even if very simple, that you can choose to rejoice in right now?
Opening Prayer
Study Questions
Read: Acts 3-4:4
The Jewish Hours of Prayer in the first century were divided into 12 hours starting from sunrise (approx. 6:00 AM). While pious Jews prayed throughout the day, three specific times emerged as formal hours of daily prayer:
The 3rd Hour (approx. 9:00 AM): The morning prayer coinciding with the morning temple sacrifice.
The 6th Hour (approx. 12:00 PM): Midday prayer.
The 9th Hour (approx. 3:00 PM): The afternoon prayer, coinciding with the evening temple sacrifice.
- According to the text, what time did Peter and John go to the temple?
- Peter and John were still faithful to go to the temple even though Jesus had come as the final fulfilling sacrifice, and they now had direct access to Him through the Holy Spirit living inside them. (see: Hebrews 4:14-16, 10:4-10)
Discuss why they might have still been faithful to those ordinary practices.
- Why is their example of going to the temple, even though it was no longer necessary, important for us to remember and practice today?
- God most often works through simple ordinary faithful services and practices of our lives to do the extraordinary.
a. How did He do that here?
b. Why do you think He primarily works that way? (see: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
c. How does this chapter challenge your understanding of how God can do extraordinary things in the midst of ordinary things to make Himself known?
- In Peter and John’s day, there were not social systems outside the family, like we have today, to care for the poor. It was very ordinary for those in need to show up where they knew the religious crowds would be entering and ask for support. It would also be very UNCOMMON for people to abuse the system as those begging would be known, questioned, confronted, and driven out if lying.
Do you struggle with knowing how to help those in “need”? explain
- How can Peter and John’s example help us know how we should respond to those in “need”?
- How can the following verses help us in discerning how we allow God to use us with those in need?
READ: Exodus 20:15-17, Deuteronomy 15:11, Psalm 41:1, Proverbs 14:31,19:17, 28:27, Matthew 5:42, Mark 14:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15
- The lame man asks for money, but Peter gives him something entirely different.
When have you asked God for a specific, practical fix (like "silver and gold"), only to receive a completely different spiritual or personal transformation instead?
- Peter tells the man to "Look at us" in verse 4.
a. Why do you think establishing eye contact and personal connection was important before the miracle took place?
b. How does this challenge the way we can often interact with people in need today?
- We live in a culture that thinks that the more silver and gold taken from people to give to other people the more we will fix the issues we have.
How do Peter and John expose how trusting in the resources of this world will only at best leave us where we are not fix the real issues we have?
- What does the healed man's response to his healing teach us about a proper response of gratitude, praise, and following Jesus?