Acts 2:36-42 February 7, 2009

Icebreaker:   Share a time when you were sorry that you didn't spend a little more money for the well built "authentic" product?                                                     

Acts 2:36-42

³⁶"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."

                ³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" ³⁸Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." ⁴⁰And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" ⁴¹So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. ⁴²They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ⁴⁶Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

For context, read Acts 2:5-6, 14. Who was Peter speaking to?

V36 - How is making Jesus Lord (boss) in your life different than making Him Your Savior only? What is it that makes a boss a boss, and what are your responsibilities as a supervised worker?

V38 - What was required of the people who were "pierced to the heart"? (V37). The idea of repentance is central to the task of making Jesus Lord - Why? Finally, what is required so that people know they need repentance?

V39 - This promise is generational, and regional.

V41 - The phrase "Those who had received his word" means that not everyone did.  What was Peter's response in the midst of those doubters?

V42 - How do you devote your life towards spiritual growth? What are you doing presently?

V44 - Do you know someone in your church that isn't in community right now?  How could you encourage that person to get involved for the purpose of growing in Christ? How can you as a group commit to doing this together?

- How could you simplify your life in order to be able to share with others? (consider time as a resource as well)