Men's Ministry
Please read Acts 3:1-10
1. We’re told that Peter and John were going to the temple at 3:00 in the afternoon for prayer. This is the same time of day that Jesus cried, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) This was also the normal time for the Jews to offer afternoon prayers. What do you think was going through Peter and John's minds? Why were they continuing this Jewish tradition?
2. As Peter and John approached the Beautiful Gate, they came in contact with a man who was born lame. This man had no other choice than to beg and probably assumed that this was his lot in life for the rest of his life. What parallels do you see between this lame man and the rest of humanity?
3. In verse 5, the lame man looks at Peter and John, “expecting to receive something from them.” What did he expect to receive? Was he ready to receive what he got?
4. The man expected money but he got something much more. Have you come to the point where you expect things from God? Are you ready to settle for far less than what God wants to give you? What do you think God wants to give you?
5. Peter told him to “rise up and walk” but then took him by the right hand and helped him get up. Why?
6. As the man was getting up due to Peter’s help, his ankles and feet were made strong and he lept up, stood, and began to walk. What part of this miracle do we overlook? What had to happen besides the strength coming into his ankles and feet?
7. In verse 9, the lame man was seen walking and praising God. What does it mean to praise God? How do you think this man was praising God while the people watched? What was he doing? How is he an example of what we should be doing?
2. As Peter and John approached the Beautiful Gate, they came in contact with a man who was born lame. This man had no other choice than to beg and probably assumed that this was his lot in life for the rest of his life. What parallels do you see between this lame man and the rest of humanity?
3. In verse 5, the lame man looks at Peter and John, “expecting to receive something from them.” What did he expect to receive? Was he ready to receive what he got?
4. The man expected money but he got something much more. Have you come to the point where you expect things from God? Are you ready to settle for far less than what God wants to give you? What do you think God wants to give you?
5. Peter told him to “rise up and walk” but then took him by the right hand and helped him get up. Why?
6. As the man was getting up due to Peter’s help, his ankles and feet were made strong and he lept up, stood, and began to walk. What part of this miracle do we overlook? What had to happen besides the strength coming into his ankles and feet?
7. In verse 9, the lame man was seen walking and praising God. What does it mean to praise God? How do you think this man was praising God while the people watched? What was he doing? How is he an example of what we should be doing?
Please read Acts 3:11-16
8. In verse 8, we saw the healed man walking, leaping, and praising God. In verse 11, he’s clinging to Peter and John. Why do you think he’s clinging to them? How do you reconcile “leaping” and “clinging” at the same time?
9. With the people crowding around to see what was happening, Peter takes the opportunity to preach a sermon. This is his second sermon in the Book of Acts. Having just seen this man healed miraculously, why did Peter preach a sermon? Wasn't there enough going on already?
10. In verse 12, Peter asked the people why they thought Peter and John made him walk. Why did he ask this question?
11. Just like Peter’s first sermon, he accused the people of murdering Jesus. Is this a good way to win friends? Why did he do this?
12. In verse 14, Peter claimed the people “denied the Holy and Righteous One.” In the next verse, he used the phrase, “the Author of Life.” Who is Peter referring to and what is the significance of him using these words?
13. Peter pounded on this idea that the people were guilty of sin. (They couldn’t be saved until they knew that they are sinners.) He pointed out that they asked for a murderer to be released instead of Jesus. Do you know the murder’s name? Do you know what his name means?
10. In verse 12, Peter asked the people why they thought Peter and John made him walk. Why did he ask this question?
11. Just like Peter’s first sermon, he accused the people of murdering Jesus. Is this a good way to win friends? Why did he do this?
12. In verse 14, Peter claimed the people “denied the Holy and Righteous One.” In the next verse, he used the phrase, “the Author of Life.” Who is Peter referring to and what is the significance of him using these words?
13. Peter pounded on this idea that the people were guilty of sin. (They couldn’t be saved until they knew that they are sinners.) He pointed out that they asked for a murderer to be released instead of Jesus. Do you know the murder’s name? Do you know what his name means?
Please read Acts 3:17-26
14. Was Peter excusing the sin of the people because they didn’t know what they were doing?
15. Peter carefully outlined the sin of the people. They must have been cut to the quick. What did Peter tell them to do?
16. After telling them to repent, he pointed out the benefit of repentance. What is it?
17. Peter told them to repent so that “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” and “that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” What is Peter talking about?
18. Peter referred to Deuteronomy 18:15 where Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” He goes further and refers to Deuteronomy 18:18-19 – “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything I command Him. I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to My words that He speaks in My Name.” Who is Moses talking about and why did Peter quote these verses?
16. After telling them to repent, he pointed out the benefit of repentance. What is it?
17. Peter told them to repent so that “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” and “that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” What is Peter talking about?
18. Peter referred to Deuteronomy 18:15 where Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” He goes further and refers to Deuteronomy 18:18-19 – “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything I command Him. I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to My words that He speaks in My Name.” Who is Moses talking about and why did Peter quote these verses?