LESSON #19 (Week ending 05/02/10)

ACTS 4:32-8:40

4:32-37: Sharing and Caring

Ø What was special and unique about these believers?

Ø Other than their belief in Christ, was there anything else that contributed to their sharing of all their possessions?

Ø Were they required to sell everything they owned for the common good?

5:1-11: Lying to the Holy Spirit

Ø Was it wrong for Ananias and Sapphira to keep part of the proceeds of their land sale for themselves?

Ø What was the lie that led to their demise?

Ø What do verses 3 and 4 tell us about the Holy Spirit?

Ø Notice that "great fear" seized the church. Application for us?

5:12-16: Signs and Wonders

Ø What was the reason for the great demonstrations of power that the Apostles showed?

Ø Was the main ministry of Peter and the others to heal the sick? If not, then what?

Ø Why do we not see such amazing signs and wonders today?

5:17-42: Persecution

Ø Why were the apostles arrested and persecuted?

Ø Even after witnessing the miraculous "escape" of the apostles from jail, the religious leaders still refused to believe. Why?

Ø Notice Peter's response to the religious leader's demands.

Ø Application for us?

6:1-7: Choosing the Seven

Ø Why was it necessary to choose specific men to handle specific tasks?

Ø Notice that the choosing of the seven formed two distinct "groups". Are those two "groups" still in evidence in the church today?

Ø What was the specific ministry of each "group"?

6:8-7:60: Stephen Arrested, Tried, and Stoned

Ø Why was Stephen singled out by the Sanhedrin for "special treatment"?

Ø How did Stephen respond to the charges brought against him? (This is the best concise review of the OT recorded!)

Ø How did the religious leaders respond to Stephen's amazing response?

Ø What does this teach us about our witness?

Ø Which future servant of God was instrumental in Stephen's death?

8:1-8: The Church Scattered

Ø How did God use the increased persecution to further His agenda?

Ø What were the results of the persecutions?

Ø Is there any application for the church today?

8:9-25: A Man Named Simon

Ø What is sorcery? Is it from God?

Ø What happened to Simon when he heard the word of God being preached?

Ø Once he believed and was baptized did his old nature suddenly go away?

Ø What indicated that Simon was truly born again?

Ø How do we get the victory over sins that have plagued us for a long time?

8:26-40: The Ethiopian Eunuch

Ø Notice from verses 8:4-8 that Phillip had a powerful ministry going on. Why did God lead him from that ministry to a single individual?

Ø How does God lead us today? Does seeing a need necessarily mean that God has called you to meet that need?

Ø "Ethiopia" here refers not to modern-day Ethiopia but to ancient Nubia, the region from Aswan in southern Egypt to Khartoum, Sudan.

Ø Is God a respecter of persons? Is the Gospel to be proclaimed to everyone? Did Phillip shy away from sharing Jesus with an "outsider"?

Ø Application for us?

LESSON #18 (Week ending 04/25/10)

ACTS 1:1-4:31

ACTS – An Introduction

ü Author: Luke

ü Date: 60-62 AD

ü Purpose: Acts is a transitional book giving an historical bridge from the Old Testament to the New Testament. A bridge from a Jewish economy to a Church economy. A bridge from an ancient belief system to a new uniquely different belief system. Acts chronicles the growth of the Church and its emergence as the major belief system in the world. Much of the action in the book of Acts is specific to the time and situation and must not be taken as normative.

Mills in The Acts of the Apostles records a list of notable 'firsts' which help us see the transitional nature of Acts:

1.	The First Outpouring of the Holy Spirit				1:1–2:4
		(The birth of the Church).
2.	The First Sermon				2:5–47
			(The Church starts its work).
3.	The First Public Miracle				3:1–4:31
			(God authenticates the Church).
4.	The First Satanic Attack on the Church				4:32–5:16
			(The reality of the Holy Spirit recognized).
5.	The First Official Recognition of the Church				5:17–42
			(The Church is separated from Judaism).
6.	The First Apostolic Assistants				6:1–7
			(The Church is organized to function effectively).
7.	The First Christian Martyr				6:8–8:3
			(The Church is dispersed to perform its function).
8.	The First Traveling Evangelist				8:4–40
			(The Church expands in performing its function).
9.	The First Converted Persecutor				9:1–31
			(The Church is given respite in order to consolidate).
10.	The First Mission to the Gentiles				9:32–10:48
			(The Church's full mission is defined).
11.	The First Threat of a Split in the Church				11:1–30
			(The Church recognizes its full responsibility).
12.	The First Governmental Persecution of the Church				12:1–25
			(The Church is recognized by the world).

1:1-11: Upward and Onward

Ø What convincing proofs did Luke list to show that Christ had indeed risen from the dead?

Ø Were the disciples still confused about when and where Jesus would establish His Kingdom?

Ø How did Jesus respond to their question about His Kingdom?

Ø Application for us?

Ø What role does Jesus now have after His ascension back into Glory?

1:12-26: A Replacement for Judas

Ø What was the primary activity of the disciples after Jesus returned to Heaven?

Ø What was the major prerequisite for the one chosen to replace Judas?

Ø How did they decide who to pick?

Ø Is there ever a time today to use such a method of determining God's will?

2:1-13: The Power of Pentecost

Ø What is Pentecost? (Lev. 23:15 ff) What does the word Pentecost mean?

Ø Why was the first infilling of the Holy Spirit so dramatic?

Ø What were the "tongues" that the disciples were speaking? Why were they empowered this way?

Ø What were they declaring in these new tongues?

Ø What does this event signify?

2:14-47: 3000 Saved; The Church Grows

Ø In John 18:15ff we see a Peter who denied his Lord three times. What caused peter to change so dramatically is such a short period of time?

Ø What is the Gospel that Peter preached that day? Remember, Peter was speaking to Jews. His use of "repent" was aimed at getting them to change their opinion of Jesus. Is repentance and baptism a prerequisite for salvation? Why or why not?

Ø After accepting Jesus Christ and their Savior, what did the people in the crowd do?

Ø Why was it necessary for them to sell their possessions and hold everything in common?

3:1-26: In The Name of Jesus

Ø Earlier (Luke 9:37 ff), Jesus chided the disciples for their lack of faith in helping the demon possessed boy. What has changed in the disciple's behavior now?

Ø What were some of the inherent dangers the disciples faced when they exercised the gift of healing?

Ø How did Peter handle those dangers?

Ø Is there a lesson here for us concerning the giving of money vs. the giving of ourselves to assist those in need?

4:1-22: Confrontation with the Establishment

Ø Why were the religious leaders upset with Peter and John?

Ø Were Peter and John intimidated by these religious leaders? Why not?

Ø What was Peter's clear testimony before the Sanhedrin? (4:12)

Ø Did Peter and John bow to the world's pressure to refrain from preaching?

Ø What application does this have for us?

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Mills, M. (1997, c1987). The Acts of the Apostles (Ac 1:1). Dallas: 3E Ministries.

LESSON #17 (Week ending 04/18/10)

PSALMS 1:1-12:8

THE PSALMS -- AN OVERVIEW

DATE: The Psalms were written over a period of about 900 years, from the time of Moses (90, written about 1405 b.c.) to the time of Israel's return from Babylonian exile (126, 147–150, written c. 500 b.c.).^[1]

MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF PSALMS:

* Praise psalms. These focus on the person of God and praise Him by describing His nature or His qualities. This type of psalm is illustrated by Psalms 33, 103, and 139.

* Historical/Wisdom psalms. These review God's dealings with His people. Illustrations are Psalms 68, 78, 105, and 106.

* Relational psalms. These psalms explore the personal relationship which exists between God and the believer. They are illustrated by Psalms 8, 16, 20, 23, and 55.

* Imprecatory psalms. These are psalms in which the worshiper calls on God to overthrow the wicked. Among them are Psalms 35, 69, 109, and 137.

* Penitential psalms. In these the psalmist expresses sorrow over his failures and confesses his sins to God. Examples are Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143.

* Messianic psalms. These psalms refer in some way to Christ, who is to come from David's family line. Many such psalms are indicated by references in the New Testament. Psalms which the New Testament indicates refer to Christ are Psalms 2, 8, 16, 22, 40, 45, 69, 72, 89, 102, 109–110, and 132.

* Liturgical psalms. These are psalms which were used in Israel's worship at specific times of the year or on special occasions. Liturgical psalms may be illustrated by Psalms 30, 92, and Psalms 120–134.^[2]

Psalm 1: The Way of Righteousness (An Historical/Wisdom Psalm)

Ø What actions does the Psalmist say describe the righteous?

Ø Notice the progression: "walk"; "stand"; "sit". How would you describe this progression? In this context is it a positive or negative progression?

Ø On what does the righteous "delight"?

Ø Application for us?

Psalm 2: God Wins (A Messianic Psalm)

Ø Who is ultimately in control of the affairs of the earth?

Ø Is there any way that earthly rulers can thwart the plans of God?

Ø How should earthly rulers respond to God?

Ø Application for us?

Psalms 3-7: God is the Gracious Deliverer (Lament Psalms)

Ø What is the historical context of these Psalms?

Ø On whom does David place his trust?

Ø Against whom are our earthly struggles? (See Eph. 6:12)

Ø Is there application for us today in these Psalms? If so, what might it be?

Psalm 8: A Prayer of Praise (Praise Psalms)

Ø List what David sees that causes him to break into praise.

Ø According to David, what has God done for man?

Ø Application for us?

Psalm 9: More Praise (Praise Psalm)

Ø Why is David praising God in this Psalm?

Ø What truth can we glean from this Psalm?

Ø Application for today?

Psalm 10: Good vs. Evil (Lament Psalm)

Ø What injustice does David see in this Psalm?

Ø Will evil ultimately triumph?

Ø Application for us?

Psalm 11: God is Our Refuge (Praise Psalm)

Ø How can man keep us from fleeing to the Lord?

Ø Is God aware of all the injustice on earth?

Ø Will He make it right in His time?

Psalm 12: Lord We Need Your Help (Lament Psalm)

Ø David feels totally alone. Is there ever a time when God's children are alone?

Ø Is there ever a time "when the godly are no more"?

Ø God has always maintained a remnant to His name and has been their Protector.

Ø Application for us?

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^[1]Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington's Bible handbook (306). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[2]Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher's commentary. Includes index. (326). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.