Men's Ministry
Please read Acts 4:32-37
20. In verse 32 we see that everything these new believers had was shared. Is this a Christian form of communism? Is it a model we should follow? Should we be living in a commune? If not, what can we learn from their example?
21. When verse 32 says that “those who believed were of one heart and soul,” does that mean that they were like robots saying, living, eating, and believing the same things? If not, what does it mean?
22. Verse 33 says that “the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” Who were the apostles? To whom were they giving their testimony? Who are the apostles today?
23. The apostles were testifying and the believers were sharing. At the end of verse 33, we read that “great grace was upon them all.” Who is “all?” The apostles? The other believers? People beyond these two groups?
24. Verse 34 tells us that there were no needy people among them. The fledgling church is well over 5,000 strong at this point. How was it possible that none of them had any needs? On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you think Fairview Community Church is doing on this account?
25. The last two verses of chapter 4 introduce us to Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, who they called “Barnabas.” What is a Levite? Since he’s from Cyprus, what do you think he was doing in Jerusalem? Why do you think they gave him the nickname “Barnabas?”
21. When verse 32 says that “those who believed were of one heart and soul,” does that mean that they were like robots saying, living, eating, and believing the same things? If not, what does it mean?
22. Verse 33 says that “the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” Who were the apostles? To whom were they giving their testimony? Who are the apostles today?
23. The apostles were testifying and the believers were sharing. At the end of verse 33, we read that “great grace was upon them all.” Who is “all?” The apostles? The other believers? People beyond these two groups?
24. Verse 34 tells us that there were no needy people among them. The fledgling church is well over 5,000 strong at this point. How was it possible that none of them had any needs? On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you think Fairview Community Church is doing on this account?
25. The last two verses of chapter 4 introduce us to Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, who they called “Barnabas.” What is a Levite? Since he’s from Cyprus, what do you think he was doing in Jerusalem? Why do you think they gave him the nickname “Barnabas?”
Please read Acts 5:1-6
1. The chapter and verses that we see in the Bible were not present in the original documents. The chapters were added in the early 13th century and the verses were added in 1551. For this reason, we sometimes miss the flow of a story line or even a line of thought. Based on Acts 4:34-37, why did Ananias and Sapphira sell their property? What was the intent of those who did the same thing in Acts 4:34-37? What was the intent of Ananias and Sapphira?
2. How did Peter know that Ananias and Sapphira had ulterior motives, other than meeting the needs of those who were suffering?
3. How do you think Ananias felt when Peter called out his deceitful plan?
4. What was the sin that Ananias was judged for? Do you think this is an appropriate sentence for this sin?
5. What does this passage tell you about the Holy Spirit?
6. Was Ananias’ lie necessary? If not, why do you think he lied? See Peter’s questions in verse 4.
7. Note that Peter did not pronounce the death sentence on Ananias. He only revealed Ananias’ sin. We don’t know how many people witnessed Ananias’ death, but what do you think the reaction was? Do you think Peter knew what was going to happen?
8. In what ways do we commit the same sin that Ananias committed?
3. How do you think Ananias felt when Peter called out his deceitful plan?
4. What was the sin that Ananias was judged for? Do you think this is an appropriate sentence for this sin?
5. What does this passage tell you about the Holy Spirit?
6. Was Ananias’ lie necessary? If not, why do you think he lied? See Peter’s questions in verse 4.
7. Note that Peter did not pronounce the death sentence on Ananias. He only revealed Ananias’ sin. We don’t know how many people witnessed Ananias’ death, but what do you think the reaction was? Do you think Peter knew what was going to happen?
8. In what ways do we commit the same sin that Ananias committed?
Please read Acts 5:7-11
9. Peter knew what had happened three hours prior to Sapphira entering the room, but she didn't know that she was a widow at this point. Peter asks her one question, and her collusion with her husband was immediately public knowledge. How do you think she felt when Peter told her that her husband had just been buried and she was about to be buried?
10. Do you think that Ananias and Sapphira went to heaven? Why or why not? Check your answer against I Corinthians 11:27-32 and I John 5:16-17.
10. Do you think that Ananias and Sapphira went to heaven? Why or why not? Check your answer against I Corinthians 11:27-32 and I John 5:16-17.
11. "Ananias" means "God is gracious." "Sapphira" means "Beautiful." How do you see God’s graciousness in this passage? What was beautiful in this passage?
12. What was the result of Sapphira’s death in verse 11?
12. What was the result of Sapphira’s death in verse 11?
Please read Acts 5:12-16
13. Why did the apostles perform signs and wonders but not others? See also the end of the prayer in Acts 4:24-30, specifically verse 30. You may also want to cross reference Acts 2:42-43.
14. These early Christians were meeting in Solomon’s Portico, which was on the east side of the Temple. Verse 13 notes that "None of the rest dared join them." Who are "none of the rest" and why were they afraid to join those meeting in Solomon’s Portico? And, if they were afraid to join, why is the church growing in verse 14?
15. Verse 15 says that the people were so desperate for healing that they hoped "that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them." A similar thing is said about Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons in Acts 19:11-12. Bible commentator I. Howard Marshall (1937-2015) notes that the people believed that shadows had magical powers (both good and bad). Was there some kind of magic or power in Peter’s shadow?
16. Verse 16 tells us that people came from the towns around Jerusalem seeking to be healed. For a little bit of a rabbit trail, how many towns can you name that are around Jerusalem. If you think for a moment, you should come up with at least two, though there are six in total.
17. At the end of verse 16, we’re told that "they were all healed." Faith in Jesus Christ, of course, is the reason they were healed, but is there another reason? Hint: It has something to do with Ananias and Sapphira. Recheck verses 1-11.
14. These early Christians were meeting in Solomon’s Portico, which was on the east side of the Temple. Verse 13 notes that "None of the rest dared join them." Who are "none of the rest" and why were they afraid to join those meeting in Solomon’s Portico? And, if they were afraid to join, why is the church growing in verse 14?
15. Verse 15 says that the people were so desperate for healing that they hoped "that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them." A similar thing is said about Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons in Acts 19:11-12. Bible commentator I. Howard Marshall (1937-2015) notes that the people believed that shadows had magical powers (both good and bad). Was there some kind of magic or power in Peter’s shadow?
16. Verse 16 tells us that people came from the towns around Jerusalem seeking to be healed. For a little bit of a rabbit trail, how many towns can you name that are around Jerusalem. If you think for a moment, you should come up with at least two, though there are six in total.
17. At the end of verse 16, we’re told that "they were all healed." Faith in Jesus Christ, of course, is the reason they were healed, but is there another reason? Hint: It has something to do with Ananias and Sapphira. Recheck verses 1-11.
Please read Acts 5:17-21a
18. Why did the high priest and the other Sadducees put the apostles in prison?
19. Another miracle happens when an angel of the Lord opens the prison doors and all the apostles are released. The angel told them to speak the words of life to the people in the Temple Courts. We know that delayed obedience is disobedience. Why didn’t they do this immediately? Why did they wait until the next day?
20. God rescued His servants by means of an angel. Does God always rescue His servants? Why or why not?
19. Another miracle happens when an angel of the Lord opens the prison doors and all the apostles are released. The angel told them to speak the words of life to the people in the Temple Courts. We know that delayed obedience is disobedience. Why didn’t they do this immediately? Why did they wait until the next day?
20. God rescued His servants by means of an angel. Does God always rescue His servants? Why or why not?
Please read Acts 5:21b-26
21. We know that the release of the apostles from prison was a miracle. However, the miracle was bigger than reported in verse 19. What additional astounding detail is given in verse 23?
22. In Acts 4, we saw that the Sanhedrin was concerned about power, but Peter and John refuted them with power, and that ultimately, they had no power because their popularity with the people prevented them from punishing them. Has anything changed in this case? How do you know?
23. Why do you think the apostles went quietly with the officers to face the Sanhedrin?
23. Why do you think the apostles went quietly with the officers to face the Sanhedrin?