Discussion Guide - Acts 9:32-43

ICE BREAKER: What do you still want to accomplish with your life?

Acts 9:32-43, read it aloud…

Acts begins with the resurrection ministry of Jesus and his promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus appears to a multitude of people in his glorified body, gives instruction to wait for a gift that the Father has promised, and then ascends into heaven. So the apostles wait, and the Pentecost happens. In chapter 2 the Holy Spirit descends on these people and dwells within their hearts. The early church is starting to establish itself and community is being developed through sharing and generosity. In chapters 5-7, we read of the persecution happening to the apostles. Stephen, a man full of faith, and under the power of the Holy Spirit, argues the case for Jesus as the Messiah from Israel’s history as recorded in Jewish scripture before being stoned to death. We read in chapter 8 about the church itself becoming scattered and people fleeing for their life. Those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went. Now there was a man named Saul, he was a religious leader, determined to shut the movement of Jesus Christ down. To rid the earth of these people who he thought were preaching blasphemy. Saul was there at Stephen’s stoning and he was responsible for putting countless believers in prison. He was a man feared among many, but this would soon change. In Acts 9, he has his Damascus road experience. Jesus appears before him and transforms his life. The people he persecuted now become his friends. His religious anger turns into a fervent passion for spreading the message of Jesus Christ.

 The story of Saul is a great example of transformation. What are some of the characteristics of a transformed life as seen through Saul’s experiences?  What was the single factor that led to Saul’s transformation?

THE HEALING OF AENEAS AND TABITHA Of the many healings performed through Peter’s ministry, Luke mentions two of them in Acts 9:32-43; Aeneas and Tabitha. Aeneas was from Lydda and Tabitha was from Joppa. Aeneas was a paralytic and Tabitha was devoted to good works and charity. Peter is determined to preach the message of the Gospel which is healing and restoration through Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the healer, he’s our healer. As read in verse 37, Tabitha was busy doing the good work but became ill and died shortly thereafter. Upon death, a body would normally be buried before sundown. Right away, the disciples sent two men to retrieve Peter. After hearing this message, Peter hurriedly left for Joppa on foot which was about 15 km from Lydda. Upon his arrival, Peter took in quite the scene; a room full of widows mourning for the one they loved. The widows greatly appreciated Tabitha and everything she had done for them and they showed Peter all the clothing that Tabitha had made for them. Peter then sends the group of wailing women out of the room, and says, “Tabitha, get up.” With these words, Tabitha opens her eyes, sees Peter, and sits up. Peter extends his hand towards Tabitha to help her up and invites everyone back into the room to see that Tabitha is in fact alive! Word spread throughout Joppa and many would come to faith because of this miracle.

 In what ways was the raising of Tabitha similar to the raising of Jairus’s daughter? Read Luke 8:49-56 and discuss.

In both these situations, healing came at different points in their journey. Aeneas was bed ridden for eight years and paralyzed before God’s transformation happened in his life. For Tabitha, she was already at work doing good deeds when death came upon her. The healing came a lot quicker for Tabitha than it seemed for Aeneas. The important thing to remember is that as Christians we live by God’s timing and not our own. Transformation can happen at any moment. Psalm 27:14 reads, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” There is hope in waiting for the Lord for yourself, your family, and your situations in life. God is at work, redeeming, transforming His people and lavishing His love upon us. Right away, we read that through this miracle, the word spread quickly about how Tabitha was brought back to life. Through the transformation that happened in Tabitha’s life, many would come to faith in Jesus Christ. When you allow the Word of God to transform your life, it transforms others. People will recognize the change that has happened within you. It is a change that only comes through Jesus Christ.

 How would you describe transformation?  What are the qualities of a transformed life?  Have you experienced life transformation? Share some of your experiences of transformation that you have witnessed.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT L: Leadership development. Who in your group is growing as a leader? I: How can you as a leader involve your group in biblical service? F: Who is a friend you can invite to become a part of your group? E: How can we use this passage to equip us as followers of Jesus?