Unstoppable Faith

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read: Acts 3:1-13, 16

1. One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.
2. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

Faith’s Appointment – Verses 1-2

1. How familiar might Peter and John have been with the temple?
2. What size of crowd would have been gathered in the temple this day?
3. How familiar was the lame man with this location?
4. What would the public perception have been of this man?
5. What kind of needs were being fulfilled by this man’s begging?
6. What would have been the man’s quality of life as a result of his disability?
7. Would Peter and John and the lame man have been acquainted prior to this encounter?

Faith’s Expectation – Verses 3-5

1. Describe what faith is.
2. How do we know when we have faith?
3. Is faith the same as expectation?
4. When asking Peter and John for money, what level of faith did he have?
5. Describe the faith Peter and John might have had as they told the man to look at them.
6. Why might it have been important for the man to look at them?
7. What effect did their question have on the man’s faith?

Faith’s Expression – Verses 6-7

1. What are some barriers to exercising faith?
2. What role does boldness have in our faith?
3. What might have caused Peter to have the faith he did?
4. What did peter risk by exercising this kind of faith?
5. How much time did Peter have to react with faith?
6. In what ways can we be prepared to exercise faith?
7. What was the reason for invoking the name of Jesus?
8. If Peter and John had silver and gold, would they still have healed the man?
9. What impact does our own lack have on our faith?
10. Why did Peter take the man by the hand and lift him up?
11. What role does action play in expressing faith?

Faith’s Miracle – Verse 8

1. What role did the man’s faith play in his miracle?
2. What might have happened if Peter didn’t take a risk?
3. What was the physical result of the miracle?
4. What familiarity might the lame man have had with the inside of the temple? Had he ever been there before?
5. What impact did this miracle have on the lame man’s faith?
6. Describe a time in your life when you witnessed a miracle.

Faith’s Spread – Verses 9-11

1. Describe what impact the miracle had on the crowd that gathered.
2. What affect might this miracle have had on their faith?
3. How might we be able to spread the news of Jesus’ miracles?
4. How should we plan to respond when miracles happen?

Faith’s Declaration – Verses 12-13, 16

1. Why might the crowd have believed the miracle was done by the power of Peter and John?
2. Why was it important for Peter to correct the people about the source of the miracle?
3. Peter underscores the name Jesus’ name twice in verse 16. Describe a time in your life when the name of Jesus had a powerful effect for you.

Next Week…

Unstoppable Boldness: Acts 4:1-3;13-20