Acts 3-7 describes the life and increase of the early church in Jerusalem (Ac 1:8a), and the simultaneous opposition to it from the Jewish religious leaders. Acts 3-4 is a drama in 3 parts:
- The mighty work (3:1-10). Healing of a man lame from birth.
- The mighty word (3:11-26). Peter preaches to the crowd his temple sermon, his 2nd sermon.
- The mighty ones (4:1-21). The bold, brave courageous and ordinary apostles on trial.
- What do we learn about prayer from Peter and John (Ac 3:1; 2:42; 4:24)? [The temple hours of prayer were set at the 3rd, 6th and 9th hours.]
- What was the strategy of the lame man and/or those who "carried" and "put" him daily at the temple (Ac 3:2-3)? Putting yourself in the place of the beggar, how would you have felt about your life?
- Why did Peter say, "Look at us!" (Ac 3:4)? Do you feel comfortable looking at and asking beggars to look at you? What was the beggar expecting (Ac 3:5)?
- Did Peter have "silver and gold" (Ac 3:6; 2:45)? What is the value of "the name of Jesus" (Ac 3:6, 16; 4:10)? How do you respond when others ask for help? What do you have to give them? What has Peter and John experienced over the past 60 days that has changed them?
- How quickly was the lame man healed (Ac 3:7)? What did he do (Ac 3:8)? How did the people respond (Ac 3:9-11; 2:22, 43)? To whom did the crowd attribute the miracle (Ac 3:12)? Could God use you to be part of a miracle? Why or why not?
- Why did Peter connect Jesus with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ac 3:13a)? What did Peter accuse the Jews of doing (Ac 3:13-15; 2:23, 36; 4:10)? What did God do? Is this a justification for anti-semitism?
- Were the Jews and their leaders ignorant in killing Jesus (Ac 3:17; Lk 23:34)? Who had foretold that the "Messiah would suffer" (Ac 3:18)?
- What 3 successive blessings follow when you repent (Ac 3:19-21)? Explain these words along with refreshment that follow repentance: rest, respite, relief, restoration, regeneration, renewal.
What did Peter conclude with prophecies from Moses, Samuel and Abraham (Ac 3:22-25; Dt 18:15-16, 19; 2 Sam 7:12; Gen 12:3; 18:18; 17:4; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14)?
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