Peter and John Before the Council

Peter and John Before the Council

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 healing a man who had been crippled from birth and then preaching about Jesus to the Jews in the Temple. We talked about how we can be bold in our faith by inviting others to follow Jesus. 

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they will work on throughout the week. Take some time to share how everyone’s experience with those action steps went since last week. 

This week we will be discussing Peter and John before the council of the religious leaders. 

First, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

  • What is your normal reaction to someone challenging you on something? What is usually your motivation within these kinds of conversations? 
  • When is a time you’ve felt you needed to be bold about your beliefs, even when it wasn’t the popular thing to do at the time?  

Opening Thought 

Sometimes, we might have times where we know we should be bold in our daily lives. In those moments, we’re reminded that courage often comes from more than our own willpower to step into those moments. Instead, it looks like living how we are being led by the Holy Spirit. Through this week’s story, we’ll see how God invites his followers to rely on his strength, power, and clarity as we live our lives.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main Idea for the Week
  
We can be bold in our faith by relying on the Holy Spirit. 

Here’s where we are this week

The Holy Spirit has just come and dwelt in the first disciples of Jesus shortly after Jesus was resurrected and ascended to be with God the Father. Afterward, Peter and John were in Jerusalem and went to the Temple, saw a man crippled from birth, and healed him. While the people watching this were amazed, Peter stood before the Jews gathered there and told them about who Jesus is; as a result, many people became followers of Jesus that day, which caused friction with the religious leaders in the Temple. 

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 4:1-22 

Unpack 

  • Why do you think the religious leaders cared so much about what Peter and John were teaching the people?   
    • Why did they care that they healed the lame man (Acts 3–last week’s story: a man was lame from birth and Peter and John, through the Holy Spirit, healed him)? 
      • How does this reflect what their main priority was, considering the religious leaders admitted that something miraculous had happened? 
  • How do you think you would respond if you were in Peter and John’s place, being commanded to stop speaking about Jesus? 
  • How does Peter rely on the Holy Spirit in his defense to the religious leaders?  
    • What do you think this says about how we should respond to opposition when it comes to sharing our faith? 
      • When have you met opposition to what you felt God was calling you to do?  
      • How can we know if the Holy Spirit is inspiring you to do/say something instead of our own personal desires?  
        • How can we cultivate these (our own desires and the Holy Spirit’s inspirations for us) to become the same in our everyday lives?  
          • If comfortable, share a time in your life where what you felt you should do seemed to align with what the Holy Spirit was asking you to do? 
        • Why is alignment with the Holy Spirit important to  
  • What does Peter and John’s example in this story teach us about the importance giving God credit for what he does to those around us? 
    • What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing the story of Jesus with those around you? 
      • How does this story confront and/or address these feelings? 

Read  

Acts 4:23-31 

Unpack 

  • Why do you think the first response the believers had to Peter and John’s report about their arrest was prayer? 
    • What is your normal response when you hear about the ways God is moving in others’ lives?  
      • How can we prevent ourselves from becoming apathetic about the good things God is doing in our lives and those of others? 
  • Why do you think the early believers prayed for boldness rather than protection after hearing about Peter and John’s experience with the religious leaders? 
    • How does the believers’ prayer show how we should view the Holy Spirit’s role within our lives? 
  • What does this story teach about the relationship between prayer and action? 
  • Within this story, we see that, despite persecution, Christianity continued to spread. How does this show the way God uses all circumstances to bring people to know him? 
    • How does this encourage you to trust God’s plan for your life?

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: 

  • How will you evaluate and recalibrate what you value when it comes to living out your faith, so it aligns more with how the Holy Spirit is calling you to live? 
  • What is one step you will take this week to be bolder in how you pray and live out your faith?  
  • How will you try to cultivate your trust in God’s plan for your life this week? 
  • How will we as a group help each other cultivate our trust in God’s plans for our lives?

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: 

Following God’s direction isn’t always a big leap, sometimes it’s just following the next small step in front of you. Thankfully we’re not asked to take that step alone. As we head into the rest of the week, let’s pay attention to where boldness might be needed, not the kind that comes from trying harder, but the kind that comes from listening closely, trusting deeply, and letting the Holy Spirit lead the way. 

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. 

Galatians 5:25 

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” 

**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: Acts 1:8 

Day 2: John 16:13 

Day 3: Romans 8:14 

Day 4: 2 Timothy 1:7 

Day 5: Psalm 143:10 

Day 6: 2 Corinthians 3:17 

info@journeyoffaith.com

(424) 327-6500

1243 Artesia Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Facebook Instagram Youtube Shield-alt

PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.