Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts 4 on 9/2
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 4
Chapter 4
V13-22What character trait of Peter and John strikes the members of the Sanhedrin? Boldness. Confidence.Contrast this to them on the night Jesus was arrested
"Unschooled, ordinary men" is translated as "untrained laymen" in the New English Bible. What about that translation is significant to the church?
What is "the plan" of the Sanhedrin to stop this “heretical” teaching?
- Speak harshly to them.
- Warn them.
- Command them to stop.
- Specific threats
The disciples' response to the Sanhedrin is given in verses 19-20. What are issues today to which we should have a similar response?“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
The church has lost much of its influence on society.We've allowed ourselves to be pushed in a corner by inaction.What does it mean for an individual to reach out and act in situations?
Why was the Sanhedrin’s solution ineffective?There is power in the praising of God.
V13-22
What character trait of Peter and John strikes the members of the Sanhedrin?
Boldness. Confidence.
Contrast this to them on the night Jesus was arrested
"Not boldness or confidence."
Cowardly. Afraid.
—what made the difference?
The Holy Spirit.
Being with Jesus--as disciples--was not the same as being filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
The Sanhedrin knew that Peter was in the courtyard on the night of Jesus trial.
"Unschooled, ordinary men" is translated as "untrained laymen" in the New English Bible. What about that translation is significant to the church?
God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
The real unschooled men were the Sanhedrin who denied Jesus as the Messiah.
Sharing of one's faith should be guided by the Holy Spirit, not by one's education or experience.
The Sanhedrin knew that Peter and John had been with Jesus.
What is "the plan" of the Sanhedrin to stop this “heretical” teaching?
17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:17-18
- Speak harshly to them.
- Warn them.
- Command them to stop.
- Specific threats
The disciples' response to the Sanhedrin is given in verses 19-20. What are issues today to which we should have a similar response?
“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
The church has lost much of its influence on society.
We've allowed ourselves to be pushed in a corner by inaction.
What does it mean for an individual to reach out and act in situations?
Why was the Sanhedrin’s solution ineffective?
There is power in the praising of God.
There will be much discussion in Acts about Pharisees and Sadducees. The Sadducees were currently in power, they controlled the Sanhedrin. We talked about them last week. Pharisees were not happy about playing second fiddle. To give you a deeper insight into the two predominant Jewish leadership groups, here are two pages from From TTWMK Volume 4. Death and Resurrection of the Messiah.
There will be much discussion in Acts about Pharisees and Sadducees. The Sadducees were currently in power, they controlled the Sanhedrin. We talked about them last week. Pharisees were not happy about playing second fiddle. To give you a deeper insight into the two predominant Jewish leadership groups, here are two pages from From TTWMK Volume 4. Death and Resurrection of the Messiah.
We got this far this week.
We got this far this week.
Thursday Timeless Truth is Baccalaureate Address. Does God Give Make-up Tests?
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A clearer picture of who each group was. I kept them straight by the old observation " they didn't believe in the resurrection and that is why they are sad you see." Apparently they had more reasons to be sad!
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