9. Joppa was at least 10 miles from Lydda. Why do you Small Group Questions think the disciples sent men to urge Peter to come to “The Church Afire: Following Faithfully” Joppa after Tabitha’s death (9:38)? Acts 9:31-43 10. Why do you think Peter sent everyone out of the room?

1. What did you do this week to be an encourager and a. What did Peter do first after the room was cleared mimic God’s love and mercy? (9:40)?

2. What do we see happening in the church in 9:31? b. What might that indicate about Peter?

3. Why do you think Peter was traveling about the country c. What is your first impulse in a difficult situation? (9:32)? 11. What effect was there on the community when it was 4. Who did Peter meet and what was his condition (9:33)? known that Tabitha had been raised from the dead (9:42)? 5. What did Peter tell Aeneas in verse 34? 12. Peter was with Jesus at least three other times when a. What does this suggest about Peter and his someone who was dead was brought back to life. Read actions? Mark 5:35-43, Luke 8:49-56, and John 11:38-44. List similarities and differences. b. How was Christ glorified through Peter’s actions? a. What impact might these events have had on 6. What was the result of Aeneas being healed (9:35)? Peter’s ministry in Acts?

7. Who was Tabitha (Dorcas) and why was she important b. What connection do you see between what Jesus to the church (9:36)? did in those passages and how Peter handled a similar situation in Acts 9:36-42? a. Steve mentioned that she was the only woman in the Bible to be specifically called a disciple. How do 13. With whom did Peter stay at Joppa (9:43)? you think her ministry was crucial to the church? a. Why is that notable? Hint: Steve talked about the 8. What kind of lifestyle must a person lead to be known role of a tanner in biblical times. as “always doing good and helping the poor” (9:36)? 14. Peter appeared to live as he saw Jesus live. What a. What good effects from this kind of personal, lesson does that hold for us today? individual involvement are evident? a. Where do we get our example of how to live today? b. Would people be able to say this about your life? 15. What was the purpose in the healing of Aeneas (9:35)?

16. What was the purpose in Acts 9:42? (See also 2:22, 43; 4:30; 5:12-14).

17. Why was Tabitha raised, but Stephen died (even though Peter was available for both (8:2)?

18. Discuss: God is at work every time I do my part to tell others about him. He may choose to perform a miracle, or he may not. That should not stop me from taking action to spread the Gospel.

19. Take a moment to ask yourself: “Am I in a place where my life can be used for the benefit of the expansion of the kingdom of God?”

a. If so, how am I contributing to the expansion of God’s kingdom?

b. If not, what do I need to do to be there? Review the things Peter and others have done so far in Acts. What physical actions have they taken to help take Jesus to the ends of the earth?

Next Steps:

GSome days I feel too busy to be bothered with people. I need a new perspective for my role in Jesus’ kingdom.

GI want to be part of the contagious movement of the Gospel in our community by sharing my story of transformation with ______this week.

GI am ready to make the way of Jesus my way of life.

GI want to exalt and example Christ in every area of my life.