Ananias and Sapphira
To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.
To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.
Introduction
Last week, we talked about Peter and John before the council of religious leaders in Jerusalem and how we can be bold in our faith by relying on the Holy Spirit.
During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they will work on throughout the week. Take a few minutes to discuss how everyone has been active in their application steps from last week.
This week we will be discussing the story of Ananias and Sapphira.
First, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group.
Connect
- What is one choice you made recently because it felt like the right thing to do?
- What helps you decide on whether to make an honest choice instead of doing what’s easier in the moment?
- How do you think your choices in those moments affect you or those around you?
- What helps you decide on whether to make an honest choice instead of doing what’s easier in the moment?
Opening Thought
Some of the most meaningful choices we can make are ones that no one else sees. It’s easy to say the right things or look the part, but it’s the ones made in ordinary moments that shape who we really are. Choosing honesty when it’s inconvenient to us, doing what’s right when we’re alone, or giving without needing credit are the kinds of choices that can reveal what matters most to us. God invites us to live in this kind of consistent honesty and humility, so that our actions become more than personal habits, they become a way for others to see who God really is.
This leads us to our main idea for this week:
Main idea for the week
We should live together with integrity to share Jesus with the world
Here’s where we are this week
The disciples have received the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. After this, Peter and John find and heal a man in Jerusalem who had been unable to walk since birth. After this, Peter preached about who Jesus is, which caused the number of disciples of Jesus to grow. This caused the religious leaders to arrest and question them because Peter and John were teaching about Christ; after questioning them and finding nothing wrong or illegal about them (and because they feared a riot from the people), the leaders released Peter and John. After their release, the people praised God and asked him to help them be bold to tell people about Jesus.
Unpack
Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses:
Read
Acts 4:32-4:37
Unpack
- Why do you think the believers in these verses felt like they should share everything? How could this have benefitted the early growth of Christianity?
- How does this challenge our modern individualistic and materialistic culture?
- What do you think being united in heart and mind means for the church today, considering how diverse the church around the world is now?
- How do you think the church can move towards unity despite differences in beliefs?
- What do you think being united in heart and mind means for the church today, considering how diverse the church around the world is now?
- How do you think God invites us to reflect the generosity and unity that the early church demonstrated in our world?
- How does this challenge our modern individualistic and materialistic culture?
Read
Acts 5:1-11
Unpack
- Why was it such a big deal for Ananias and Sapphira to keep some of the money from the property that they sold?
- Why do you think Ananias lied about giving away all the money? Why do you think the consequences were so severe?
- Why do you think it is so important to have integrity within your community of other followers of Jesus?
- How often do you think you live a life of integrity? What level of importance should we put on honesty and integrity within our lives?
- How have you seen a lack of integrity within the church lead to people viewing Jesus negatively?
- Why, then, do you think it was important for God to show how serious God viewed the actions of Ananias and Sapphira?
- How have you seen a lack of integrity within the church lead to people viewing Jesus negatively?
- How often do you think you live a life of integrity? What level of importance should we put on honesty and integrity within our lives?
- How do people seem to react to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira?
- Why do you think the believers’ reaction to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira is important for us to learn from?
Read
Acts 5:12-16
Unpack
- How do the miraculous signs performed by the apostles affect the spread of the news about who Jesus is?
- How should these miracles influence our understanding of the power of God?
- What are some of the differences between this section of verses and the last section?
- How does the contrast between this section and the last section of verses help remind us that the God we follow is not only loving but powerful and just?
- Why is this important for followers of Jesus to remember?
- How does the contrast between this section and the last section of verses help remind us that the God we follow is not only loving but powerful and just?
Apply
Take a moment to discuss these questions, based on the verses above, as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be:
- What practical steps will we as a group take to cultivate unity and generosity in our church community?
- What is one step you will take to further pursue living with integrity this week?
- What are some ways you will be consistent to remember all the aspects of who God is in your everyday life?
Closing
Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section:
What we choose in the quiet moments often carries the most weight. The way we speak, act, and give when no one’s watching shapes the story our lives are telling. As we follow Jesus, these small, faithful choices can show the world around us something is different about how we live our lives and what we value. This week, be consistently aware of the way you act and try to live every moment to show who Jesus is to those around you.
Prayer and Verses
Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group.
Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week
*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week.
1 Peter 2:12
“Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”
**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.
Daily Devotional Verses
Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below.
Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well.
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read?
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read?
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned.
Day 1: 1 Peter 2:21
Day 2: Romans 15:5-6
Day 3: Romans 14:19
Day 4: John 13:35
Day 5: 2 Corinthians 13:11
Day 6: 1 Peter 4:10