Extraordinary living requires using what you have to honor God. When we see needs, God calls us to action. Over the past few weeks, the early church has inspired us with its extraordinary commitment to follow Christ. Today in our study, we will look at Acts chapter 3 and see how the early church served others extraordinarily through the power of the Holy Spirit.
BREAK THE ICE
Who do you know who acts in a situation when most would sit back? Describe the way they serve people.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. What comes to mind when you think about the word "serve?"
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Acts 3:1-11. Describe how Peter and John interacted with this man who could not walk. What stands out to you?
Acts 3:1-11
"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John."
"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John."
3. Look back at verses 5-6. How did Peter respond to this man's need?
4. Read Acts 3:12-16. Summarize Peter's response to watching the crowd's amazement at this man's healing.
Acts 3:12-16
"Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! 16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes."
"Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes."
Application
1. Peter and John followed Jesus' example and saw needs around them. Do you find this easy or difficult to do? Why or why not?
2. Peter and John did not have what this man was asking for, but they had something even more incredible. They used the gifts they had to serve this man. What gifts has God given you to serve?
3. What specific step can you take this week to serve extraordinarily?
MOVING FORWARD
Talk for a few minutes about how you can serve extraordinarily together. Maybe you can serve someone in your group or someone who one of your group members knows who needs help. Maybe you all can pick an area to serve in the church. Whatever you decide, make a plan today to serve together.
GOING DEEPER
Scripture makes it clear that if we have faith in Christ, our actions change as a result of our faith. In fact, our faith and actions work together to demonstrate our faith. When we have faith in Christ, He changes our hearts so that we live differently as a result. This includes how we care for each other and the people around us. Over the next few minutes, we will look at how our faith in Christ changes how we act, especially when it comes to how we care for the people around us.
Faith Produces Service:
If we have faith in Christ, our actions point to our faith. We live differently because of our faith in Him. This includes the way we treat the people around us. Look at James' teaching about faith and works and how they work together.
1. Read James 2:14-18.
2. Summarize James’ message in these verses.
3. How do faith and works go hand-in-hand?
4.Look at verses 15-16. How should our faith impact our actions when we see needs around us?
Jesus Calls Us to Serve:
The call to take action and serve the people around us is not just a suggestion. It is a command from Jesus, the King. This call is to be taken very seriously. Jesus did not just call His disciples to serve; He also demonstrated what it looked like to serve by taking the role of a servant and serving them.
1. Read John 13:12-17.
2. How did Jesus set an example for His disciples (and us) in this passage of Scripture?
3. Look back at verse 14. How does Jesus describe Himself to the disciples? How does this understanding of who Jesus is in verse 14 impact how you take this instruction from Him seriously and serve?
4. How did Jesus’ message in these verses change the paradigm of greatness, who is called to serve, and who Christ followers are called to serve?
Service Points Others to Christ:
Serving other people is not about making a name for ourselves. We do not serve so that other people will say how kind or great we are. Instead, serving others is about pointing others directly to God and making His name famous. Take a look at what Matthew 5 teaches about what happens when we serve.
1. Read Matthew 5:14-16.
2. How are followers of Christ described in these verses?
3. What impact does light have?
4. Describe the impact that followers of Christ have by doing good deeds, including serving people around us?
Reflect:
I believe that we all want to serve the people around us. Unfortunately, we can become so busy that we forget to look around to see needs and ways to serve. As a group, memorize Matthew 5:16 together. Let it be a reminder of the importance of serving others. Then, commit over this next week to live each day looking for needs that we can help meet. Report back next week about what happened when you all intentionally searched for needs around you and ways you could help in the name of Jesus.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8:
©2024 Sagebrush Church
