TODAY:

Acts 9:33-43 | God’s Heart On Display

BIG IDEA:

God uses both the spectacular & seemingly ordinary to demonstrate His heart

SCRIPTURES:

Acts 9:32-43

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: How do you feel about the abilities that you have? Do you feel like any of them are unique? Why or why not?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Read Acts 9:32-43. In both Peter’s miracles, people turned to Jesus. What is it about miraculous events that call us to Jesus?

Q: How tempting do you think it was for Peter to take credit for the miracles or to make it about him? Why do you think he resisted that temptation?

Q: In all 3 miracles (healing Aeneas, raising Dorcas back to life & going into Simon the Tanner), Peter crossed the Gospel over the boundaries of the religion of the Pharisees. What can we learn from this for today? How can we do this well & how do we need to exercise wisdom & discernment?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: Why do you think the clothes that Dorcas made for the widows meant so much to them?

Q: Luke uses the word “hagios” (saints) in v32 & 42. How are we as the Body/Church of Jesus called to be a family of “saints”?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: Re-read Acts 9:32-43 & pay attention to the flow of time & location. How was Peter responsive to the needs & opportunities around him? What can we learn from the example of how God used him?

ACTION STEPS:

1) allow God to demonstrate His heart TO you 1 way this week

2) allow God to demonstrate His heart THROUGH you 1 way this week