Week 1

 

Read: Acts 4:8-20

Study Questions:

  1. At the beginning of Acts 4:8, what phrase does the Bible use to describe the apostle Peter? 

  2. After noting that Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” what does the Bible then say Peter did?  According to Acts 4:31b, what followed the believers being filled with the Holy Spirit?  Some Pentecostal denominations insist that speaking in tongues is the initial public evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but many evangelical ministers suggest that a willingness to speak boldly and publicly for the Lord is the real evidence of the Spirit’s infilling.  Do you believe there is a connection between being filled with the Holy Spirit and testifying for the Lord?  Why or why not?  If you have prayed for the infilling of God’s Spirit, have you noticed a greater desire and willingness to speak for (be a witness for) the Lord? 

  3. In Acts 4:18, the Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop testifying about Jesus.  How did Peter respond in v. 20?  According to Peter in this verse, what things were they speaking about?  What are some of the things you’ve personally seen or heard or experienced in terms of the Lord?  When’s the last time you told anyone about any of those things?  How much of your experience with the Lord have you shared with your family – children, parents, siblings, ...?  Have your closest relatives heard your testimony?

  4. Have someone read Acts 4:17 out loud for the group.  According to this verse, why did the Sanhedrin order those early Christians “to speak no longer to anyone” in the name of Jesus?  The clear implication here is that, if you want to thwart a move of God, simply have people stop talking about/testifying for the Lord Jesus.  Was there a time in your life when you spoke more often and more openly about the Lord than you do now?  If so, what prompted you to speak out in the past?  And if so, why do you think you don’t speak out as often or openly today?

Read: Epehesians 6:19-20

Study Questions

  1. In these verses, Paul is asking the Ephesian Christians to pray specifically for him.  What is the first thing Paul asks them to pray for him (see v. 19a)?  Notice that he’s asking that words be given to him when he opens his mouth.  In other words, Paul is committed to testify for the Lord even before he knows precisely what he’ll say.  It’s as if his position is: I’m going to open my mouth for Jesus; please pray that the Spirit will help me and give me what to say when I do.  Is that something you feel comfortable trusting the Lord to do for you?  Why or why not?

  2. What word does Paul use (in v. 19b and again in v. 20b) to describe how he wants to share the good news?  NIV (1984) uses the word “fearlessly” in both cases, and Paul says in v. 20 that “fearlessly” is how he “should” speak.  Does the thought of testifying for Jesus – sharing your story about your experience of Jesus – cause you any fear or hesitancy?  If so, why do you think that is and what can you do about it?

Read: Colossians 4:3-6

Study Questions:

  1. As in the Ephesians passage you just read, Paul is again asking believers to pray for him.  What is the first thing Paul asks them to pray for (see v. 3)?  Why is this particular prayer so important?  In seeking to be a witness for the Lord Jesus, have you ever been guilty of trying to kick down a door that wasn’t really open to you or the gospel?  If so, would you be willing to share your experience with your group?

  2. In the Ephesians passage, Paul asked the people to pray that he testify for the Lord “fearlessly.”  In Colossians 4:4, what word does Paul use to describe how he wants to proclaim Christ?  The root word in Greek that the NIV (1984) translates as “clearly” means “to make something visible and graspable.”  How can your story of your experience of the Lord help make a walk with Jesus more visible, more graspable, or more understandable for someone who’s not yet trusted in Him?  What specific examples from your own experience might be especially helpful to someone else?

  3. Paul expresses two different thoughts in Colossians 4:5, both in the form of instructions/directives.  What are the two thoughts, and how do they apply to the subject of sharing your story?  When looking to testify for or about the Lord, what are some specific things to keep in mind in terms of being “wise in the way you act toward outsiders,” that is, in how you approach and interact with those who do not yet know the Lord (v. 6 may offer some insight)?  What are some practical things you can begin to do to help yourself “make the most of every opportunity” to share your story with others (v. 5b)?