Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts Ch 3 on 8/5

My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.

It's Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.

If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com

Chapter 3

V1-10

What is meant by “the hour of prayer”?

It's the 9th hour. It's 3:00 p.m. It was the customary prayer time in the Temple for Jews.

Where is the “Beautiful Gate”?

The most used entrance to the Temple. It opened into the Women's Courtyard which had alcoves for Lepers, Nazarites, wood, and oil.
It was also known as The Mercy Gate.

An ornately decorated gate. It was made of solid bronze and was worth nearly nine times as much as a similar structure made of pure gold at that time.

• The area immediately outside the dark black line in this diagram was The Court of the Gentiles. While this picture does not show steps outside the wall, those steps--or the steps outside Nicanor's Gate leading to The Court of the Israelites--are the most likely places for Peter's first sermon.

How much did Peter change his habits after Pentecost?

While he turned his heart and mind to Jesus, he still went to the Temple at the 9th hour for prayer. 
As we continue through Acts, we'll see how many/few more habits he changed.

What is most interesting to you about the description of the crippled man?

Lame from birth was the winner, considering what the man does immediately after his healing.

If you were the cripple, how would you react to Peter’s response to the cripple’s request? Why? The answer that follows doesn't really answer the question, but it is food for thought.

• Peter demands eye contact, recognizing the cripple as a person. This would have been uncommon. In the eyes of most Jews, crippled people were considered cursed by God.
• The man probably never looked for long at any one person. He would have been scanning for donators and keeping an eye out for any money tossed generically into the crowd of beggars.
• He would shut Peter's voice after, "I don't have silver or gold."

Describe the sequence of the cripple's expectations, emotions, and understanding. Some of this is above. Some of what follows is off point but thought-provoking.

What we often ask for is equal to alms. What God has for us is more and better--healing.
How did Peter know to pick this man? It must have been prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Peter grabs the man and pulls him up. It wasn't the man's faith that healed him--it was God's miracle.

What does the former cripple do?

Stands with help. 

Leg muscles and bones are heald.

Walks, leaps,  praises God.

On commontary said, "No physical therapy needed!"

            We got this far this week. 

V11-26

Who was "amazed" and "astonished" by the healing of the cripple?

How does the reaction of those in the previous question to the “cripple” differ from that of the people in the crowd?

Peter's 2nd recorded sermon. What is similar to the first?

According to Peter, how is the authority of Christ demonstrated in this miracle?

How does Peter's tone change in v17?

What is the OT context of the quote from Moses?

What "big three" OT characters does Peter refer to in his sermon? Why is each chosen?

How does Peter end this sermon?

Can you think of an example of God's power at work today/in your lifetime like it was in this chapter?

For the rest of this month, Thursday Timeless Truth posts will be the 1st part of a two-part article. This Thursday, Timeless Truths. Baccalaureate Address: Allspice and Crescent Wrenches - Part 1

Follow me on Twitter: @CRDowningAuthor and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRDowningAuthor

My website is: www.crdowning.com

I'd appreciate your feedback on Blogger!