Sermon Discussion Guide Preaching Passage: Acts 5:17–6:7 Sermon Series: Acts of the Risen Lord Sermon Title: “Life in Word A

Sermon Discussion Guide

Preaching Passage: Acts 5:17–6:7 Sermon Series: Acts of the Risen Lord Sermon Title: “Life in Word and Deed” Date: March 1, 2020 Preacher: Bart Box

Discussion Questions:

1) Persecution is clearly a major theme of Acts 5:17-42. In light of that, discuss the following questions concerning persecution. a. [Q] As you look at this encounter between the apostles and the Jewish authorities, which party is full of fear? And which party is full of power? i. [Q] What does that say to us today who are prone to fear persecution?

b. [Q] Can you think of any specific teachings from Jesus that you see his disciples now embodying in this passage?

c. [Q] In what areas do you foresee persecution—or at the least, opposition—coming for faithful Christians in our current day? i. [Q] Specifically, in your individual life, do you see any possibilities for this on the horizon (whether at work, school, etc.)?

d. [Q] If persecution came, and the enemy knew right where to hit you to cripple you, where would that be? What would be taken away?

e. [Q] What does it look like to prepare our hearts now for whatever cost we will incur for following Jesus? i. [Q] If persecution came to you tomorrow, is what you see in these disciples what you’d expect from yourself? Why or why not?

f. Persecution in the church is not just a first century reality, but one that exists today around the world. i. [Q] What effect does persecution have on the church in Acts 5:40-42? ii. [Q] What ought we to learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters today? iii. [Q] How might we pray more faithfully for them?

2) [Q] What did you learn from Bart’s treatment of Gamaliel’s advice offered in Acts 5:38-39? a. [Q] Had you ever thought of both the rightness and wrongness of Gamaliel’s suggestion before? b. [Q] What (or who) were you prompted to view with a greater sense of urgency in light of this?

3) The final two points of the sermon were taken from Acts 6:1-7. Discuss those, as well as the three questions that Bart closed with on the note sheet (listed below): a. Life looks like care for the needy. b. Life looks like attention to the Word. i. Do you know this Life? ii. Are you immersed in this life? iii. Are we practicing this life?