10. Read :16. Could the priests and leaders of the temple deny that a miracle occurred? Why or why not? Small Group Questions How does this understanding add credibility to the “The Church Afire: Leaping Like Deer” account? Acts 3:1-10 11. How did the crippled man react to the miracle? 1. How do you respond to the beggar on the street corner in front of the hardware store? 12. Read :5-6. In Acts 3, Luke uses a rare word for leaping. It is the very same word used in the Greek a. What is the appropriate way to respond? translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint or LXX) of Isaiah 35:5-6. How does this understanding b. Is giving a hand-out always the most appropriate (that Luke uses the same word for leaping as was used action? Why or why not? in the OT version from ’ day) shed light on our passage? 2. Describe a time in your life when you found yourself without money. 13. Read Leviticus 21:17-19 and then read Acts 3:8. Where does the lame man go immediately after he is able to 3. Peter and John are often found together in Scripture stand and walk? Why would he go there? (Lk 22:8; Jn 20:3; :14). Why do we so often find them placed together? 14. How did the people at the temple respond to Peter and John after they heard about the miracle? 4. What do you think prompted Peter and John to stop suddenly and minister to the crippled man? a. What opportunity did this miracle provide for Peter?

5. How long has the crippled man been lame (3:2)? See b. How did the healing of the blind man at the temple also Acts 4:22. promote the spread of the gospel?

6. What were Peter and John unable to give the crippled 15. Steve suggested this weekend that there were four man (3:6)? interesting aspects of this miracle. Discuss the importance of each of the following: 7. What did Peter and John give the crippled man? a. The healing was unexpected. 8. What is the importance of Peter’s statement: “In the b. The healing was done in the name of Christ. name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (3:6)? c. The healing was instantaneous. d. The healing was complete. 9. What credibility does the fact that Luke (the author of Acts) was a medical doctor add to this particular 16. How is Jesus healing some crippled area of your life? miracle? 17. Which is more important: ministering to a crowd of over 3,000 () or ministering to a solitary crippled man (Acts 3)?

Next Steps:

G I will not underestimate the value of ministering to even one solitary person.

G I understand that even if I am unable to give financially, I should look for other ways that I can give.

G I am so glad that God, through Christ Jesus, has brought the spiritually crippled back into his presence.

G I will live in wonder and amazement at what God has done for me and seek to give him the praise.