Acts of the Apostles // 3

REFERENCES:
Acts 2:42

Acts 10:7

Acts 2:43-47

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:11-16

Acts 3:16

Acts 3:17-26

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Teaching, Fellowship, Communion, Prayer - how am I doing in these areas in my personal devotion to God?

  2. Am I continuously devoted to receiving God’s word?

  3. Am I spending time in fellowship with other believers?

  4. Am I participating in communion and praying?

  5. When it comes to generosity, (being Rich) is it easier to meet felt needs or spread the message of the Gospel?

  6. Am I using my spiritual gift correctly?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 2B

REFERENCES:
Acts 2:12-13

1 Cor 14:2-22

Acts 2:14-21

John 6:44

Romans 10:17

Acts 2:22-35

Acts 26-41

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Am I truly willing to let go of control and trust God in my life?

  2. Does the fact that God can do miracles make me uncomfortable? Why or why not?

  3. What aspects of Jesus’ character are in view this week?

  4. When it comes to finding the truth, do I lean on Biblical text? Or Human wisdom?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 2A

REFERENCES:
Acts 2:1-4
John 3:8
Luke 3:16
Acts 2:5-13
1 Cor 14:20-22

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Does my relationship with Jesus make room for supernatural signs and wonders?

  2. Place yourself in that room, on that night. What would have been your response?

  3. What aspects of Christ’s Character are in view in this section of passages?

  4. What application in your personal faith walk is the HS illuminating today?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 1

REFERENCES:
Acts 1:1-5
Luke 24:50-53
1 Cor 2:12-14
John 20:20-22
John 15:26-27
Acts 1:6
Acts 1:7-8
Matt 24:36
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 1:12-14
Acts 1:15-26

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What aspects of Christ's character have come into view today?

2. Am I willing to ask God the question "What does it mean?" Am I willing to ask God to teach us by His Spirit?

3. When faced with big decisions, what is my first course of action?

Join in as Ben Shafer begins a verse-by-verse journey teaching through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // COURSE INTRO

COURSE SUMMARY

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The events described in Acts take place in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman empire as well as Asia Minor during the 1st century between 30-60 CE. Acts likely composed between 60 and 90 C.E.

ORIGINAL INTENDED AUDIENCE:
This work was authored by Luke along with the “The gospel of Luke” to be read aloud to a room full of Greek-speaking Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus and are now following the New Covenant. Specifically, this work would have been read aloud in its entirety before taking the Lord’s supper together in a small gathering.

LITERARY CONTEXT:
written in a “narrative” style. Much like a travel journal. 

STRUCTURE:
Divided into five parts. 

  1. Jesus’ Commission

  2. The arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. 

  3. Life within the Jesus movement

  4. The Mission of the Church

  5. Paul’s arrest

OVERARCHING THEME: 

The Holy Spirit, the Great Commission, and the Church 

UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT ACTS:

  1. Famous name: “Acts of the Apostles” Perhaps misnamed from antiquity- only covers 2 of the apostle's works. Peter & Paul. Could be named “Acts of the Spirit” or “Acts of Jesus”

  2. Completes the NT Pentateuch (4 gospels) 

  3. A bridge between the life of the Messiah and the epistles

  4. Our only record of how the Church was birthed from Gentiles 

  5. Author - Luke. Written as a single work along with “Luke” 

  6. Comprises 25% of the NT and only one written by a gentile 

  7. Luke: travel companion & doctor for Paul (close friend). He died at age 84 and was unmarried.