What do we know of what jesus taught from his resurrection to his ascension. It is the historical link that joins the life of christ with the growth of the christian church. The book of acts is a fascinating account of the early disciples as they formed. This will help you place yourself in the shoes or sandals of the apostles and understand the kindness of god in the gospel being for all people.
The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a companion of the apostle paul, wrote the books of luke and acts colossians 4. What conclusion do you reach about who wrote the book of acts. The book of acts reflection and discussion questions. The letters or epistles after acts tells us of the supreme care and guidance that god has for his people then, now, and in the future. The book of acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles.
In many ways acts is the most exciting book in the new testament because it is full of movement and interest. Questions in the lessons contain minimal human commentary, but instead guide students to study to understand scripture. This seminarylevel study also retains its depth and uses an engaging interactive format. Acts chapter 1 questions for discussion the living word library. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. General resources for the book of acts check the scripture index for links and study resources pertaining to specific pericopes. The acts of the apostles is one of the most exciting and action packed books in. The book has been called the acts of the apostles, really a misnomer because acts has very little to say concerning most of the original twelve apostles. This is the third in a series of three smallgroup bible study discussion guides.
It describes persecutions and specific situations that we even face today as we evangelize and live our lives in christ. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Acts 1 the apostles knew they needed to replace judas.
Acts has been called a transitional book because it serves as a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as. The first half of the book of acts describes how, through the power of the holy spirit, the church was established in jerusalem and the surrounding area, including antioch. Acts chapter 28 discussion acts chapter 28 enter new comment. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. The initial question regards the identity of theophilus, the one for whom the book is written. An ancient prologue to lukes gospel indicates that luke was first a follower of the apostles and then became close with paul. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john.
Peter, whose ministry was to the jews and whose great word was. Acts documents the infancy of the early church from jesus instruction of his apostles before his ascension to the day of pentecost and the explosion of christianity, which continues to this day. The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ. However, a close look at the book of acts lets us know that we are not left alone with his commands. A major figure in the book of acts and the new testament is the apostle paul. Blue letter bible is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Acts 2 niv bible when the day of pentecost came, they. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven bible gateway.
Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. Jan 04, 2010 pauls practice in the book of acts posted on january 4, 2010 by derek leman over at the mount olive press website, i have posted in full chapter 4 of my book, paul didnt eat pork, from 2005. It would be an enriching experience to read them together, as acts gives the history of the founding of the churches to which the epistles are directed. Therefore they trusted god to place the right person in that spot. Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of the apostles in plain english for everyone to understand. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. You will see the fire of the spirit erupting through the lives of believers. Jul 10, 2014 by the end of the book we see paul living in rome proclaiming the kingdom of god and teaching about the lord jesus christ with all boldness and without hindrance acts 28. The book of acts tells us of some of the acts of some of the apostles, but more so it tells us history. In this bible study on the book of acts, hinckley explores the church born among jesus disciples, which grew into a world wide force in just a few. Peters leadership and the churchs mission in jerusalem acts 2. Discussion on the book of acts chapter 28 from the king james bible online. A full chapter by chapter study would take more than six months, so feel free to select from our available lessons below.
Acts 9 tells the story of the dramatic conversion of the man formerly known as saul, the persecutor. Faculty members from the byu religious education department discuss the writings and teachings of the apostles as written in the books from acts through revelation. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. Acts 2 outsiders looking in thought jesuss followers were drunk because they were so filled with the.
Blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding. Lifetransforming bible studies no book of the bible is more densely packed with adventure, danger, and bravery than the book of acts. A better title for this book is the acts of the holy spirit and because of this the book of acts is an unfinished book. But he did not start off as a hero to the church of god, but rather a villain. Live with passion the christian life is meant to be vibrant and exciting.
The book of acts also goes into principles of living. A timid peter is transformed into a bold evangelist whose first preach sees about three thousand souls added to the church acts 2. As mentioned in the origin of the bible, the book of acts is actually a letter written to theophilus by luke, the doctor who accompanied paul on his latter missionary journeys and used his medical training to carefully record what paul and the other apostles said and did as inspired by god. Acts of the apostles, a study guide from the executable outlines series by mark a. After listening to andor reading the scripture please answer the. The book of acts records the beginning of the church, the birth of the church. This promise is mentioned in the gospel of john four times. Its subject and intention is nicely summarised by the words of the lord in chapter 1. Luke is giving an account of the salvation of the gentiles to theophilus. This workbook on the acts of the apostles was designed for use in bible classes, family study, or personal study.
Peters activities are described at some length, and john and philip are mentioned, but more than half of the book is about paul and his connection with the christian movement. Acts 2 outsiders looking in thought jesuss followers were. One is simply to strengthen believers as witnesses to the work and life of jesus, both in history and in their lives. This will spark in you an appreciation, longing, and expectation for the holy spirits work in your own life. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life ministries. Beginning with a bang, or rather with a sound like the blowing of a violent wind acts 2. These studies will be expository, devotional, practical and varied, and this is an introduction to the whole book 1 title. The preparation for the mission of the church acts 1.
Acts chapter 1 questions for discussion the living word. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. The acts of the apostles this is correct, though it mostly tells us of the acts of two apostles. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. The title acts of the apostles is a bit misleading. It gives examples of how jesus promises came to fruition and how the disciples faced persecution and hardships head on. The acts of the apostles is, perhaps, the scriptures most dramatic book. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven 1 in my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the holy spirit to the apostles he had chosen. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. The book of acts, also named the acts of the apostles, is the continuation of the gospel of luke, but the book of acts should not be considered a full account of all the acts of the apostles. One in a series of books comparable to cliffs notes. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section.
Study of acts discussion notes chapter 6 introduction acts 6 is a brief chapter preceding a very lengthy chapter 7. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spiritand the role of jesus lessons in our lives. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on. The book contains only a few of the acts of some of the apostles, primarily peter and paul. The book of acts is the link between the gospels and the epistles. Before each chapter of this book, portions of scripture will be sug gested to read. The book of acts, which continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel, is especially important because it was the first written history of the christian church. Acts of the apostles a study guide executable outlines. Bible study tips for the book of acts unlocking the bible. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. In it we see the tumultuous and triumphant growth of the church from a small group of fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots to a movement that reached to the farthest parts of the roman worldall through the impassioned efforts of ordinary. This is the third in a series of three smallgroup bible study discussion guides luke 19, luke 1024 and selected portions of acts which explore the meaning of witness. If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a.
Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. Also, select the version and then click the search the bible button. In it we see the tumultuous and triumphant growth of the church from a small group of fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots to a movement that reached to the farthest parts of the roman worldall through the impassioned efforts of ordinary men and women who. The life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Acts cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test.
It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. Acts tells us how the christian movement came into beginning. Luke wrote his gospel and also the book of acts compare luke 1. Study resources charts and outlines the miracles in the book of acts book of acts miracles where wrought. The esv study bible includes maps on many of the pages in the book of acts that help illustrate the various places mentioned in acts and routes taken. Understanding the book of acts in the bible learn religions.
Acts bible study the book of acts bible study lifeway. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on the. The class book material is suitable for teens and adults. The first half of the book of acts describes how, through the power of the holy spirit, the church. In the book of acts, we discover how gods multiethnic, international church grew through persecution and missionary journeys throughout the world. A walk thru the book of acts walk thru the bible discussion. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. As such it answers the question many firstcentury observers would have. Acts and historical narrative, at luther seminarys bible tutor. This web page contains lesson plans for a multiweek study of your choice. Book of acts bible study questions, class book, workbook.
T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. Acts 1 indepth versebyverse bible study and commentary of acts chapter 1 in plain english. Learning from the apostles christian bible studies. Model for todays church is a session bible study that will connect. As it is expected, the book of acts has a similar literary style as the gospel of luke because it is the second volume of lukes account.
The book of acts reflection and discussion questions acts 1 the apostles knew they needed to replace judas. Even though chapter 6 is brief, there is much to be learned and much applicable directly to the local church today. It is more a story of the expansion of the church from jerusalem to rome. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation. There are different ways to divide the book of acts. Study basics about bible books, people, dates, places, and content, and take webbased selftests. Bible study questions on the book of acts introduction. The beginning of the churchs mission to the gentiles acts 10.
Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs were. The book of acts was likely written between ad 61 and 64. Whereas jesus is the chief character in the gospels, the holy spirit, working through the apostles, is the dominant character in the book of acts.
An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Jul 01, 2010 no book of the bible is more densely packed with adventure, danger, and bravery than the book of acts. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. The esv study bible includes maps on many of the pages in the book of acts that help illustrate the various places mentioned in acts and routes taken by the apostles as they proclaim the gospel. Whereas jesus is the chief character in the gospels, the holy spirit. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. It tells of cities and dates and people that were affected by the gospel. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom luke acts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic. As you do make a list of major themes that are frequently mentioned in the book.
How can we apply this principle to the relationships in our own lives. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. Pauls practice in the book of acts messianic jewish musings. There has been much debate as to the purpose of acts. You may use your bible to answer the study questions. The book of acts was written to provide a history of the early church. The book of acts, above all else, is a story about the churchand what a story it is. This film depicts the birth of the early church through the eyes of luke, the author of the gospel of luke. The gospel draws people in, constitutes them as the church centered on the grace of jesus, and then sends them out in mission to the world. Acts and the epistles bible study questions and commentary. The birth of the church happens in acts 2 with the outpouring of the holy spirit. Here is a quiz on the book of acts from the new testament. But ye will receive power, the holy spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in jerusalem and in all judaea and samaria and to the end of the earth. Robertson tells a story of stewardship in discussing the role that money and.
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