Bible Study Reminder Session 21

[Michael Crayne]

Hello all,

Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Truly He is risen! I hope you all had a wonderful Holy Week and Easter. 

This Wednesday we will resume our Bible Study, and will be learning about the early days of the Church, the earthly embodiment of God's kingdom. The reading for this week is Acts 1:1 - 8:4. If you have time, read all of Acts, which we will discuss over the next three sessions.

The Church - Part 1

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1 - 2:41)

1. Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days following His resurrection. Read Acts 1:1-8, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:13-49, John 20:19-23, and John 21:15-19. Based on the things that He said to them, what seems to have been His chief purpose or desire during that time before His ascension?

2. Read Acts 2:1-41, which describes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Compare and contrast this to Genesis 11:1-9. What parallels do you find between the two events, and what is their significance?

The Early Christian Community (Acts 2:42 - 8:24)

3. Describe the early Christian community based on Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-34.

4. Read Acts 6:1-7, together with 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Why were deacons needed, and what kind of people were they to be?

5. One deacon, a man named "Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people". Nonetheless, he soon attracted opposition from among various groups of people. Read Acts 6:8-7:60. What charge was made against Stephen? How did Stephen answer his accusers?

6. Notice the role that the "young man named Saul" played in Stephen's martyrdom. What affect did Stephen's witness and death have on Saul (see Acts 8:1-3)? Why might he have reacted this way instead of like the "devout men" of Acts 8:2 who "buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him?

7. The day's after Jesus' death found His disciples fearful, sad, and hiding from the authorities. The picture painted of them in Acts 1-8 is remarkably different. Find examples of the way the disciples face opposition and suffering. How do you account for the change?

As always, pray before you read!

[Christine Lee-Roth]

Thanks Michael and Happy Easter to all!

Our babysitter said today that she cannot come this WED, so we may not be able to make it...

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Better & Better
Christine Kyoungmin Lee-Roth
English-Korean Linguist
tel: 503.888.5782
skype: christineleeroth

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4 Active™

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