Study Questions from Acts Ch 12 on 2/17

My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. Every Monday, I’ll post the questions we discussed the day before. I encourage you to jot your thoughts down.

On Wednesdays, I’ll post some of the comments from the class discussion.

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

Chapter 12

Vv1-19a

Why was Peter arrested this time?

These soldiers were elite groups. Why use green berets or seals to guard a prisoner?

What does it mean to be “earnestly praying”? [v5]

When did the angel appear? 
What does that tell us about God’s timing?

Why does the angel hit Peter?

Look at the end of v7. 
Describe how you think these events occurred.

What do we learn about this prison from v8?

Peter obeys without question even though he thinks what? 
How does this apply to us?

The angel protects Peter from several things during this escape. Name them.

When does the angel leave Peter alone? 

Why do you think the angel didn’t stay with him longer? 
What does this tell us about God?

In verse 11, Peter finally gets a clue. What prompted this awakening?

 We got this far this week. 

Where does Peter go? Do you think he knew what was going on there?

The word “praying” in v12 is the same form of the word Luke uses in Luke 22:41-44. What does this imply?

Why do you think the doors were locked?

Rhoda answers the knock. How does the next series of events lend “authenticity” to Luke’s account?

Who doesn’t believe? Why is that a bit strange? How are we exactly like these people sometimes?

Why do you think they finally decide it’s an angel at the door?

What does Peter keep doing?

Peter says to tell James the story. Didn’t James die earlier in the chapter?

Why did Peter leave the house?

The next morning is a busy one for the Romans. Wanna be a Roman soldier?

Vv19b-25

The incident with Herod shows another aspect of God. What is it?

Why did Herod die?

Despite more persecution, what’s happening to the Gospel?

Saul and Barnabas take a young man with them. What do we know about him at this time?

Chapter 13

Vv1-3

What’s the difference between a prophet and a teacher?

Comment on the list of names given here.

Why do they decide to send Saul and Barnabas off as missionaries?

Discuss the significance of the sequence of events in v3.

Vv4-12

What’s happened to John Mark?

Where do they go first: geographic location? Place in a town?

Who (what) was Bar-Jesus?

Why would Elymas even care about the proconsul’s religious beliefs?

In vv10-12, Paul really lays it on the line with Elymas. What are the two immediate results?

Vv13-41

What happens to John Mark?

Who invites Paul and Barny to speak? Why would they do that?

Vv16-41 is Paul’s first recorded sermon. Compare it to the previous sermons in Acts.

What is immediately noticeable in v16?

Vv17-20a is a very short version of what 5 books of the Bible?

Whose descendents are referred to in v23?

In v26 Paul explains the purpose of his sermon. What is it?

Who specifically is included in “they” in vv 27-29?

Why do you think Paul uses the quotations he does from Psalms in vv33-35?

In vv38-41, Paul’s tone is significantly different from the tone in the same part of Peter’s first sermon. What is the warning in v40, and how does it apply to the year 2001?

Vv 42-52

What evidence do we have of the effectiveness of Paul’s sermon? 

How does that compare to the evidence after Peter’s first sermon?

Why do you think there is no mention of numbers of converts here?

Vv 44-47 are pivotal verses in the Book of Acts. Why? What is implied here?

Hmmm. v46 has some interesting wording. React to the last phrase.

New evidence of Paul’s effectiveness appears in v49. What is it?

How do the Jews react to Paul’s preaching?

What does v51 mean?

What two things filled the disciples? What is the relationship between them?

Friday, This week Expressions of Faith is  A personal look at some of Wesley's Theology

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!