To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.
To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.
Introduction
Take a moment to ask everyone how their spring is going so far. What did you do during the Easter season? What was everyone’s highs and lows from the past few weeks?
During the “Apply” section each week, everyone will be encouraged to write down specific action steps they will work on throughout the week. This week, however, spend some intentional time connecting with each other.
This week, we will be talking about Peter and John healing and preaching to a large group of people after they are given the Holy Spirit.
First, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group.
Connect
- What’s something kind or unexpected a stranger has done for you?
- How did you react to this experience?
- Do you usually try to help people, strangers or not, when you notice they need help?
- What helps you recognize when you should talk to or help someone and how you can help them?
- How do you respond when you recognize a need?
- What helps you recognize when you should talk to or help someone and how you can help them?
Opening Thought
Sometimes the most meaningful moments come up unexpectedly, whether it be a conversation, a need, or a chance to speak up or step in. We don’t always feel ready for those moments, but what if making a difference is less about having all the answers and more about being willing to trust God in order to respond with boldness when the opportunity comes? God invites us to look for these opportunities, trust his guidance on how to meet the needs of others, and invite the people around us to trust in him as well.
This leads us to our main idea for this week:
Main idea for the week
We can be bold in our faith in Jesus by lovingly inviting others to follow him.
Here’s where we are this week
Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended to be with God the Father but has sent the Holy Spirit to be with the disciples. When the Holy Spirit comes and starts to dwell in the disciples, they begin to perform miracles and do similar things that Jesus did, through the power of God. They then start to speak about Jesus to everyone they can, as Jesus instructed them to do so they will follow him as well.
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 3:1-11
Unpack
- Why do you think Peter and John decided to heal the crippled man? What would have caused them to do this?
- How often do you find yourself looking for opportunities to show the love and power of Jesus to the people around you in your daily life?
- What does the reaction of the healed man and the crowd say about how we should react when God does something amazing in our lives or the lives of others?
- What, if anything, has been (or is) a challenge when it comes to praising God for what he has done in your life?
- How should we use experiences of what God has done in our lives and the lives of those around us to point others to Christ?
- Why do you think hearing about the experiences of others is so impactful?
Read
Acts 3:12-21
Acts 3:22-4:4
Unpack
- Why do you think it was significant that Peter chose to speak in the temple?
- How would this have been viewed by Peter’s audience?
- What are some ways that Peter shows boldness in the way he speaks to the crowd in these verses?
- How does Peter’s sermon illustrate the approach we should take when inviting others to follow Jesus?
- Why was using the people’s familiarity with their traditions and prophecies helpful? How often do you
- How do you think we should confront sin in our lives and the lives of others, according to Peter’s example?
- Why is speaking with compassion and grace, following Peter’s example from these verses, helpful when explaining sin and who Jesus is?
- How does the story from today challenge you to represent Jesus through both our words and actions?
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 are some ways you will, like Peter and John, be observant and seize opportunities to practically show the love and power of Jesus in your daily life?
- How will you try to share the experience of your life with God with people in your daily life?
- How will we as a group keep each other accountable to stay committed to our action steps this week?
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:
Opportunities to make a difference in someone’s world and invite others to know Jesus don’t always come with a warning. Many times, they show up in everyday moments, through people we cross paths with or needs we weren’t expecting to notice. As go through our week, let’s stay open to those moments. Let’s be people who trust God’s leading, respond with boldness when the time comes, and point others toward the hope and healing found in Him.
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.
Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
**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: 2 Timothy 1:7
Day 2: Psalm 27:14
Day 3: 1 John 4:17
Day 4: Ephesians 5:2
Day 5: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Day 6: Psalm 105:1