Acts 3:1-16
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Luke told us many signs and wonders were done through the apostles, and now he provides an example (cf Acts 2:43). What caught your attention in Acts 3:1-16 and in our study on Sunday?
What is the setting of this miracle, and what does it teach us about the change that has occurred in the disciples (cf. John 20:19)? How does Acts 1:8 shed light on what has changed and why the disciples might be at the temple? What can we learn about engaging family, friends, and co-workers with the gospel from them going into the temple among their fellow Jews rather than retreating?
Isaiah 35:5-6 and Zephaniah 3:19 promised that when the Messiah came the lame would leap like deer and their shame would be transformed into praise. When asked if he was the Messiah, what evidence does Jesus point to in Luke 7:22-23? If the lame continue to leap like deer in Acts, though Jesus was crucified, what does that teach us about Jesus? What does this teach us about how Jesus continues to work today?
The signs and wonders of Jesus and throughout the book of Acts act as parables of greater spiritual truths (cf Lk 5:17-26). What is the lame man’s physical condition in Acts 3, and how is it a picture of our spiritual condition? What does this man’s physical healing communicate about the spiritual healing Jesus offers?
Peter certainly offers the man the greatest treasure he has. However, based on Acts 3:4-6, what does Peter also give the man before he offers healing in Jesus’ name? What do we learn about caring for the poor and marginalized from how Peter interacts with the man? In addition to time, attention, dignity, respect, healing, and spiritual life, what else does the man receive based on how he interacts with Peter and John after he is healed (cf. Acts 3:7, 11, and 4:14)? How is this encouraging to you?
What does the man’s response to being healed in Acts 3:8 teach us about the joy of salvation? What are some reasons we might lose that joy, and how does meditating on and preaching the gospel to ourselves help?
How is the crowd's response in Acts 3:9-11 similar to the response in Acts 2:6-7 and 12? What does Peter immediately do according to Acts 3:12, and what does it teach us about sharing our faith?
God uses transformed lives to capture attention and communicate the gospel. It is because of the clear supernatural change in this man’s life that people were willing to listen to the gospel. They saw his life before and after and wanted to know what happened. What does this teach us about how God can work today through your faith story? Where does Peter redirect everyone’s attention in vs 12, and how does that help us in articulating our own stories of rescue and redemption?
Have you ever written down your faith story — your life before Christ, how he changed you, and your life now? How might writing it down help you grow in gratitude for God’s grace and help you articulate it to friends, family, and co-workers?
