Acts of the Apostles // 9A

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

ACTS 9A

REFERENCES:

Acts 9:1-2

Acts 9:3-7

Acts 9:8-9

Acts 9:10-16

Acts 9:17-22

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Looking back on my life, can I see the evidence of God‘s sovereignty?

  2. Do I fight against God or for Him?

  3. What does Paul & ‘Ananias' interaction tell you about God?

  4. When I pray, do I remember that even my needs are produced by God?

  5. In scripture, is a relationship with Christ ever described as “my choice” or “God’s choice”

Acts of the Apostles // 8B

ACTS 8B

REFERENCES:

Acts 8:14-17

Matt 16:17-19

Acts 8:18-25

Rom 7:14

Acts 19:18-20

Acts 8:26-28

Acts 8:29-35

Acts 8:36-38

Acts 8:39-40

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Is my perception of certain “people groups“ holding me back from sharing the Gospel with them?

  2. Is there any “group“ that I am shying away from currently in my life out of disobedience?

  3. Have I unknowingly adopted an “incorrect formula“ of how God works?

  4. If someone is not a follower of Christ, what is my attitude towards them?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 8A

ACTS 8A

REFERENCES:

Rom 1:16

Acts 8:1-3

Rom 8:28

Acts 4:8

Acts 8:5-8

Acts 8:9-13

Acts 8:14-17

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  • Have I truly received the “sign of Jonah?“

  • Am I willing to accept the fact that God can use any means he wants to accomplish His will?

  • Have I been unknowingly drawn to “Simons” or “Phillips?”

  • Am I holding back from spreading the Gospel message due to my disdain for those who are different than I am?

  • What does this week’s text make me feel vs. know?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 7

ACTS 7

REFERENCES:
Acts 7:1-8

Gal 3:16

Gal 3:29

Acts 7:9-16

Acts 7:17-29

Acts 7:30-37

Acts 7:38-43

Acts 7:44-50

Acts 7:51-53

Acts 7:54-60

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 

  1. In the text we covered today, were you able to see the messiah pictured in any of the events Stephen recounted? 

  2. What is God’s favor based upon? 

  3. What does the recounting of the events of Israel and its patriarchs tell you about who Jesus is? 

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 6

ACTS 6

REFERENCES:
Acts 5:41-42
Matt 5:10-12
Acts 6:1-6
Titus 1:5
Acts 6:7
Acts 6:8-14

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 

  1. Have you ever suffered shame for the name of Christ? 

  2. What are you willing to die for in this life? 

  3. Are those in our church that we particularly “favor” more than others? 

  4. According to what we read, what is to be the highest office of leadership in the Church? 

  5. Have you ever experienced “one in mind and heart” in a Church family? 

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 5B

REFERENCES:
Acts 5:7-40

Acts 5:7-11

1 Peter 4:17

Acts 5:12-16

2 Cor 6:14-17

Acts 5;12

Acts 5:17-26

Acts 5:27-33

Acts 5:34-40

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. What is your current response to God when you think of his dispensation of mercy?

  2. Do you believe that God will keep His promises?

  3. Does the way you “stand apart” from the rest of the world bring about respect and appreciation and ultimately Glory to God?

  4. Who do you truly believe Jesus is in charge of the growth of the Church?

  5. Are you willing to submit to the punishment that comes from earthly authorities when forced to obey God over man?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 5A

REFERENCES:
Acts 4:21-22
Acts 4:23-31
Psa 2:1-12
John 15:20
Acts 4:32-37
Matt 16:19
Acts 5:1-6
2 Cor 2:11
Eph 6:11-13
Acts 5:7-11

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Do I truly believe that trial is a part of God’s plan for the Church?

  2. What was your reaction the last time you faced trials in your life?

  3. What holds you back from being “of one mind and heart” with the Church today?

  4. Have you ever experienced the “fear” mentioned in 5:11?

  5. What contrasts can you identify that Luke gave the reader of today’s text?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 4

REFERENCES:
Acts 3:25-26

Eph. 3:1-7

Acts 4:1-4

Matt 15:7-9

Acts 4:5-7

Acts 4:8-10

Acts 4:11-12
(Psalm 118:22)

Luke 12:11-12

Acts 4:13-17

1 Cor. 1:27-29

Acts 4:18-20

Luke 24:45-28

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. When I am wrong about something, where do I find the source of truth?

  2. Am I willing to listen to teachings I don’t agree with? What is my response when I hear it?

  3. What is the level of persecution I am experiencing in my life for the sharing of the Gospel?

  4. Do my physical needs or comfort come first?

  5. Am I a true “Witness” for the Gospel, by its true definition?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 3

REFERENCES:
Acts 2:42

Acts 10:7

Acts 2:43-47

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:11-16

Acts 3:16

Acts 3:17-26

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Teaching, Fellowship, Communion, Prayer - how am I doing in these areas in my personal devotion to God?

  2. Am I continuously devoted to receiving God’s word?

  3. Am I spending time in fellowship with other believers?

  4. Am I participating in communion and praying?

  5. When it comes to generosity, (being Rich) is it easier to meet felt needs or spread the message of the Gospel?

  6. Am I using my spiritual gift correctly?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 2B

REFERENCES:
Acts 2:12-13

1 Cor 14:2-22

Acts 2:14-21

John 6:44

Romans 10:17

Acts 2:22-35

Acts 26-41

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Am I truly willing to let go of control and trust God in my life?

  2. Does the fact that God can do miracles make me uncomfortable? Why or why not?

  3. What aspects of Jesus’ character are in view this week?

  4. When it comes to finding the truth, do I lean on Biblical text? Or Human wisdom?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 2A

REFERENCES:
Acts 2:1-4
John 3:8
Luke 3:16
Acts 2:5-13
1 Cor 14:20-22

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

  1. Does my relationship with Jesus make room for supernatural signs and wonders?

  2. Place yourself in that room, on that night. What would have been your response?

  3. What aspects of Christ’s Character are in view in this section of passages?

  4. What application in your personal faith walk is the HS illuminating today?

Join Ben Shafer as he teaches a verse-by-verse journey through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // 1

REFERENCES:
Acts 1:1-5
Luke 24:50-53
1 Cor 2:12-14
John 20:20-22
John 15:26-27
Acts 1:6
Acts 1:7-8
Matt 24:36
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 1:12-14
Acts 1:15-26

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What aspects of Christ's character have come into view today?

2. Am I willing to ask God the question "What does it mean?" Am I willing to ask God to teach us by His Spirit?

3. When faced with big decisions, what is my first course of action?

Join in as Ben Shafer begins a verse-by-verse journey teaching through the book of Acts.

Acts of the Apostles // COURSE INTRO

COURSE SUMMARY

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The events described in Acts take place in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the surrounding occupied lands of the Greco-Roman empire as well as Asia Minor during the 1st century between 30-60 CE. Acts likely composed between 60 and 90 C.E.

ORIGINAL INTENDED AUDIENCE:
This work was authored by Luke along with the “The gospel of Luke” to be read aloud to a room full of Greek-speaking Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus and are now following the New Covenant. Specifically, this work would have been read aloud in its entirety before taking the Lord’s supper together in a small gathering.

LITERARY CONTEXT:
written in a “narrative” style. Much like a travel journal. 

STRUCTURE:
Divided into five parts. 

  1. Jesus’ Commission

  2. The arrival of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. 

  3. Life within the Jesus movement

  4. The Mission of the Church

  5. Paul’s arrest

OVERARCHING THEME: 

The Holy Spirit, the Great Commission, and the Church 

UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT ACTS:

  1. Famous name: “Acts of the Apostles” Perhaps misnamed from antiquity- only covers 2 of the apostle's works. Peter & Paul. Could be named “Acts of the Spirit” or “Acts of Jesus”

  2. Completes the NT Pentateuch (4 gospels) 

  3. A bridge between the life of the Messiah and the epistles

  4. Our only record of how the Church was birthed from Gentiles 

  5. Author - Luke. Written as a single work along with “Luke” 

  6. Comprises 25% of the NT and only one written by a gentile 

  7. Luke: travel companion & doctor for Paul (close friend). He died at age 84 and was unmarried.