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| EXPLORE THE BIBLE: (15–17 minutes) Divide the group into three smaller groups. Instruct one of the small groups to read Acts 4:1-22, a story that comes before and helps set up the explanation of community that the session revolves around. Have them write down answers to these questions: • Why do you think so many people believe Jesus through Peter and John? • According to Peter, who healed the lame man? • Why were the rulers, elders and scribes so amazed by Peter and John? If you would have been there, would you have been so amazed? • Why couldn’t the leaders of the temple just celebrate with the lame man and give glory to God? Why did they want to keep the word about the healing from spreading? • Why didn’t the authorities punish Peter and John? • What kind of “community” did the rulers, scribes and elders have? If you could guess, how did Peter and John’s community help empower them to do what they did in these verses? Direct another small group to read Acts 4:23-31 and write down answers to these questions: • How did the Peter and John’s friends (community of believers) respond to the news of their arrest? • To what source did the community go to help them interpret the arrest? (Old Testament scriptures) Do you think that is a good thing to do? Do you find truer interpretations of scriptures as individuals or as a group? Why? • What did the community ask for? (Even more boldness) Does this seem like an unusual request to you? Why or why not? If you would have been that original community, what would you have prayed for? • What happened when they prayed together? Continued... |
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