Intro to Chapter 3:
The Christian leaders continued to participate in Jewish worship. The members of the Christian movement saw what God was doing among them simply as the fulfillment of his purposes for Israel. Jesus is the Messiah, the one whom God designated to save Israel. To an outside observer, Jesus’ followers would have looked like a renewal movement within Judaism. So Peter and John feel perfectly natural about praying with their fellow Jews in the temple.
Read Acts 3:1-10
• What would you do if you saw a miracle like this happen?
Read Acts 3:11-26
• What sticks out to you in his speech?
• What parts would you use to defend your faith?
Read Acts 4: 1:22
Peter is “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This does not refer to a sudden burst of holiness or a spiritual experience but to the help that God is giving him to give testimony to Jesus. In Catholic tradition this sort of divine assistance is called “actual grace” – grace to take on the action or task at hand. In his address, Peter wants to make it absolutely clear that Jesus alone is God’s agent for dealing with the human race.
• Where do you most need “actual grace?”
• How could you cooperate more with the Spirit in this part of your life?
Read Acts 4:23-37
Discussion on Courage:
Who/what is an image of courage to you?
How can you be more courageous in sharing the faith?
What sticks out to you in the lyrics of the song "Courageous?" (video below)
Closing Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of your Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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