Peter Healing and Preaching

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? 

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 

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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.

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