· Web view1 (A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and (C)the Word was with God, and (D)the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 (E)All things were made through him,

INDEX

PAGE #’S

WEEKLY READING SCHEDULE....................................................................................................... 2

LHAC’s LIFESTYLE ESSENTIALS....................................................................................................3THE PRACTICE OF “LOVING GOD IN SOLITUDE”

DIGGING DEEPER INTO THE BOOK OF ACTS ......................................................................5-6

THE S.C.C. WEEKLY PROCESS .............................................................................................7 - 121•Studying of & meditation on ACTS•Complementary passage•Journaling•Sermon Notes•Cell Group Meeting

PRAYER JOURNAL..................................................................................................................... 122-124

BIBLIOGRAPHY for scripture references used in handbook · English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News

Publishers. · New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust

THE SCC LIFESTYLELOVING GOD IN SOLITUDE, CELL, CELEBRATION, AND LOVING OUR WORLD

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WEEKLY READING SCHEDULEFor those who are new to the SCC lifestyle process, we study and meditate on the passage prior to it being preached, and then continue to sit in the same passage until our cell group meeting. Typically, our cell group meetings follow a few days after the Sunday service, which would conclude your “week” of SCC. The day after your cell group meeting you move to the next week and start reading the new passage.

START MEDITATING ON PAS-SAGE THE WEEK OF....

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE(plus corresponding passage)

CELEBRATION SERVICE

Week 1: Oct. 8-13, 2018 Acts 1:1-11 Oct. 14, 2018

Week 2: Oct. 15-20 Acts 1:12-26 Oct. 21

Week 3: Oct. 22-27 Acts 2:1-21 Oct. 28

Week 4: Oct. 29-Nov. 3 Acts 2:22-32 Nov. 4

Week 5: Nov. 5-10 Acts 2:33-41 Nov. 11

Week 6: Nov. 12-17 Acts 2:42-3:10 Nov. 18

Week 7: Nov. 19-24 Acts 3:11-26 Nov. 25

Week 8: Nov. 26-Dec. 1 Acts 4:1-12 Dec. 2

Week 9: Dec. 3-8 IMPORTANT: REFLECTION WEEKActs 4:13-31

Dec. 9

Week 10: Dec. 10-15 Christmas Readings: John 1:1-18 Dec. 16

Week 11: Dec. 17-22 Christmas Readings: Gal. 4:4-7 Dec. 23

Week 12: Dec. 24-29 New Year Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11 Dec. 30

Week 13: Dec. 31-Jan. 5 Acts. 4:32-5:16 Jan. 6

Week 14: Jan. 7-12 Acts 5:17-42 Jan. 13

Week 15: Jan. 14-19 Acts 6:1-15 Jan. 20

Week 16: Jan. 21-26 Acts 7:1-60 Jan. 27

THE SCC LIFESTYLELOVING GOD IN SOLITUDE, CELL AND CELEBRATION, & LOVING OUR WORLD

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LHAC’S LIFESTYLE ESSENTIALSThe SCC lifestyle encourages us to grow in loving God more fully and loving our world in Christ’s name.

LOVING GOD IN SOLITUDE is to retreat to a quiet place, in an attitude of surrender and trust, for an unhurried time of communion with God through His Word, prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Biblical basis: Josh. 1:8, 1 Tim. 4:7, Ps. 91:1, Matt. 6:5-6.LOVING GOD IN CELL is to gather together, in an environment of love and trust, with a small group of believers who are growing in intimacy with God through the SCC lifestyle, in order to spur one another on to love God more fully through sharing, accountability and prayer. Biblical basis: Prov. 27:17, Heb. 10:24, 1 Thes. 5:11.LOVING GOD IN CELEBRATION is to gather together as a church family on a weekly basis to worship God and de-light in His presence; in song we express our love for Him and through the preaching of the Word we hear His voice. Biblical basis: Ps. 22:22, Heb. 10:25, Rom. 12:4-5.

THE PRACTICE OF “LOVING GOD IN SOLITUDE”There are 4 key components in the practice of “Loving God In Solitude” that we encourage each person to do on a daily basis:

PRAY. Settle into God’s presence by expressing to Him where you are right now. Ask Him to draw near to you as you draw near to Him.

The following is a suggestion. “Father, my desire is to draw near to You and commune with You during this time. Create in my heart and mind a quietness and rest. as I place on You my burdens and concerns, and confess my sins....Protect this time from interruptions and distractions. Allow this to be more than a disci-pline, but an encounter with You where I delight in Your presence as You delight in me. Give me ears to hear Your voice as I read Your Word. Teach me, rebuke me, correct or train me so that I will be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16). Holy Spirit fill me with Yourself, refresh my soul and nourish my spirit. My heart’s desire is to enjoy loving intimacy with You now and throughout my day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”

READ THE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE MEDITATIVELY. Sink into the sermon-based scripture for a number of days, until you have plumbed the depths of it. Once you have plumbed its depths, move on to another bible passage (i.e. the complementary passage, or one of your own choosing) and sink into that for the remainder of the week.

• Study the passage of scripture to gain an understanding of the context of the pas-sage and the key point(s) of truth taught in the passage.

• Listen for God’s personal word to you through His written Word; attend to and linger over a word/phrase/verse that catches your attention.

• Practice listening prayer by waiting in a receptive posture of openness toward God, asking Him to show you how this word/phrase/verse connects with your life right now.

• Record what God is saying to you.

RESPOND TO GOD IN PRAYER. Allow your God-lead ponderings be a catalyst to prayer, talking to Him about what He has revealed to you. Take time to intercede for your accountability group members.

CONTINUE TO MEDITATE ON THIS WORD/PHRASE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Allow God to further form, shape and apply these words in your life as you go into your day.


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THE SCC WEEKLY

PROCESS


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DiggingDeeper into THE BOOK OF ACTS

UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL NARRATIVE:

Narratives Are NOT: Narratives ARE:

- Allegories with hidden meanings - Subject to literal interpretation

- Simple historical regurgitation - Theologically driven history

- Made to teach a single moral lesson - Made to fit into God’s redemption story

- Filled with strictly explicit meaning - Often filled with implicit meaning

USEFUL OBSERVATIONS IN NARRATIVE:

1. Setting - Times, feasts and festivals, and geographical location can be used by the author to communicate his theological intentions.

2. Characters - Look carefully at their descriptions (status, profession, ethnicity). Think through their actions, comparing and contrasting them with other characters.

3. Pace of the Plot - When an author wants to get your attention, he will likely slow the pace of the story down through things like dialogue or elaborate detail.

4. Structure - Try to identify the author’s structure for the passage you are studying and for the book as a whole. Look for repeated themes and logical shifts. The goal is to understand as best

as you can why the author includes certain stories and not others, and why he arranges them in the order that he does.

IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES FOR INTERPRETING NARRATIVE:

1. Do not develop doctrine from narratives, that isn’t their purpose.

2. Narrative gives only partial information. Don’t expect exhaustive answers to be laid out for all your questions. The author will give you all the information you need to understand what he is trying to say.

3. Characters are complex, not black and white (just like us).

4. God is the main character of every story, don’t lose sight of that. If you do, you may never un-derstand the Bible properly.


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WARNING:

One of the biggest struggles in interpreting the book of Acts is figuring out what to make of Chris-tian experiences and practices in the early church. You will see many examples of these things as you read through the book, many of which are wrongly treated by interpreters as being biblical precedents for how the ongoing church must continue to act or function. It can be helpful to cate-gorize these events and practices in order to understand their application.

Categories of Christian Experience and Practice in Acts:

• Incidental - Events or practices that happen rarely or occasionally, tied to a specific narra-tive context. Good, godly wisdom can be attained from these examples.

• Normal - Events or practices that can be shown explicitly or implicitly to happen frequently in the life of the early church. We may do well in this case to attempt to adopt these things loosely into our own church life, as our context permits.

• Normative - Events or practices that are set forward to be the ongoing standard for the church. This can be rightfully stated to be the case if it is something expressly com-manded within the text as a standard for God’s people, or if it can be clearly shown that such a statement is the author’s intention in writing the story. If neither of these things are true, we must not consider the practice to be obligatory for the church today.

SUGGESTED COMMENTARIES THAT WILL HELP YOU DIG DEEPER:

The following 2 commentaries are the most academic/scholarly, making it a heavy read, but giving a depth of detail that the other commentaries on the list don’t cover. • Acts: Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, Darrell L. Bock, Baker Publishing• The Book of The Acts: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, by F. F. Bruce,

Eerdmans Publishing Company.

This commentary is an excellent commentary that is readable and attainable for the average lay person.• Acts: Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, by I. Howard Marshall, Intervarsity Press.

Sermon based commentaries, which are a compilation of sermons on Acts. Both are reader friendly.• Acts: The Church Afire, by R. Kent Hughes, Crossway. • Acts: Reformed Expository Commentary, by Derek W.H. Thomas, P & R Publishing.


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WEEK 1SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 1:1-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

1 In the first book, O (A)Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began (B)to do and teach, 2 until the day when (C)he was taken up, after he (D)had given commands (E)through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 (F)He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying[a] with them (G)he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for (H)John baptized with water, (I)but you will be baptized (J)with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, (K)will you at this time (L)restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, (M)“It is not for you to know (N)times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive (O)power (P)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and (Q)you will be (R)my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and (S)Samaria, and (T)to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, (U)he was lifted up, and (V)a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, (W)two (X)men stood by them in (Y)white robes, 11 and said, (Z)“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, (AA)will (AB)come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further in-structions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and re-store our kingdom?”

7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Footnotes:a Acts 1:4 Or eatingb Acts 1:5 Or in

Cross references:A. Acts 1:1 : Luke 1:3B. Acts 1:1 : Luke 24:19C. Acts 1:2 : See Mark 16:19D. Acts 1:2 : [ch. 10:42; Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21]E. Acts 1:2 : [ch. 10:38; Luke 4:1, 18; John 20:22]F. Acts 1:3 : ch. 10:40, 41; 13:31; Matt. 28:17; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:34, 36-51;

John 20:19-29; 21; 1 Cor. 15:5-7G. Acts 1:4 : Luke 24:49H. Acts 1:5 : ch. 11:16; See Matt. 3:11I. Acts 1:5 : ch. 11:16; See Matt. 3:11J. Acts 1:5 : ch. 2:1-4K. Acts 1:6 : See Luke 17:20

L. Acts 1:6 : [Mic. 4:8; Matt. 17:11; Mark 9:12; Luke 19:11]M. Acts 1:7 : [Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32]N. Acts 1:7 : Dan. 2:21; 1 Thess. 5:1O. Acts 1:8 : ch. 4:33; Luke 24:49; 1 Thess. 1:5; [ch. 10:38; Luke 4:14]P. Acts 1:8 : ver. 5Q. Acts 1:8 : [ver. 22]; See Luke 24:48R. Acts 1:8 : [Isa. 43:12]S. Acts 1:8 : ch. 8:1, 14; [Matt. 10:5]T. Acts 1:8 : ch. 13:47; [Mark 16:15; Col. 1:23]U. Acts 1:9 : ver. 2V. Acts 1:9 : See 1 Thess. 4:17W. Acts 1:10 : [Luke 24:4]X. Acts 1:10 : Josh. 5:13; Dan. 9:21; 10:5; 12:6, 7; Zech. 1:8-11Y. Acts 1:10 : Matt. 28:3; Mark 16:5; John 20:12Z. Acts 1:11 : ch. 2:7; 13:31AA Acts 1:11 : [Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 1:10]; See Matt. 16:27AB Acts 1:11 : 2 Thess. 1:10


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OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS : A few questions will be provided weekly, and will point you to the signifi-cant things to study in the passage, showing you where to dig deeper.

1. The beginning of a book is a good place to look for the author’s introduction of various themes that he is going to use throughout his work. What themes for the book of Acts can you identify in this passage?

2. Why do the disciples ask Jesus about Israel (v.6)? How does Jesus’ answer challenge their view of the kingdom of God?

3. What are the things that Jesus promises His disciples?4. What is God’s purpose is sending the Holy Spirit?5. What hope do the angels give the disciples? How is this helpful?6. What does this passage teach you about God?

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WEEK 1SOLITUDE: JOURNALING As God speaks to you through His Word write down what is impacting you, what He is saying to you person-ally and/or your response back to Him.


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☐Genesis 1☐Genesis 2☐Genesis 3☐Genesis 4☐Genesis 5☐Genesis 6

OPTIONAL: JOURNALING FOR CHRONOLOGICAL READING OF GOD’S WORD


WEEK 1OPTIONAL: CHRONOLOGICAL READING OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE We are introducing this as an option for those who are enjoying sinking into a small portion of Scripture weekly, but also want to see and understand the breadth of Scripture. If you participate in this, you will read the Bible through in 4 years, at a reasonable pace (i.e. 1 chapter per day for 6 days of the week) that will allow you to take time to prayerfully consider what God is saying to you.

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WEEK 1CELEBRATION: SERMON NOTES

How will what I heard impact my life this week?


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WEEK 1 CELL GROUP MEETING: LIFESTYLE-FORMING ACCOUNTABILITY

THE FOCUS OFLIFESTYLE-FORMING ACCOUNTABILITY (WEEKS 1 & 2)

The SCC lifestyle, when lived out, will bring us to the place where we relate intimately with our Lord on a regular and consistent basis, drawing near to Him so that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). As we meet with God in this way we will know Him, enjoy Him and be changed more and more into His likeness. This lifestyle, particularly the first component of “Loving God in Solitude”, involves persistent discipline in order to break old strongholds and form new habits (2 Tim. 4:7). It is learning to leave the busyness of life to prioritize time alone with God, to still our heart and mind in His presence, to be able to tune our ears to His voice, to mold our will to be responsive and obedient to what He is saying. The SCC lifestyle doesn’t come naturally to anyone and it is contingent upon us relating to God through His Word and in prayer. Therefore, the first 2 weeks of our accountability will be focused on how each of us is doing in practicing the spiritual disciplines and taking the necessary steps to create godly habits that will encour -age intimacy with God and life transformation.

GROUP ACCOUNTABILITY COVENANT (2 MINUTES) Read through the accountability covenant below and sign each member’s copy.


S.C.C. ACCOUNTABILITY COVENANT

1. Total & complete confidentiality. I understand that what I share and what I hear during our accountability times will remain here. If pastoral intervention is needed, my leader will refer me to a pastor.

2. Commitment to honesty & vulnerability. I am committed to being truthful and open with my S.C.C. accountability group.

3. Unconditional love and acceptance. I will love and affirm those in my group, understanding that each person is at a different point in his/her walk with the Lord.

4. Voluntary accountability. I am requesting that my S.C.C. accountability group hold me accountable for specific areas of my life. I am inviting them to lovingly not “let me off the hook”.

Signed:_______________________________________________

Signed:_______________________________________________

Signed:_______________________________________________

Signed:_______________________________________________

Signed:_______________________________________________

Signed:_______________________________________________

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WEEK 1PERSONAL REFLECTION (5 MINUTES) THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES TO FOCUS ON ARE: Spending consistent time alone with God, regular Bible reading & reflection/medi-tation on the passage, practicing stillness and/or silence in God’s presence, listening to God & responding back to Him in prayer, journal-ing, and memorization (although this may be a discipline you develop once the others are established as patterns in your life).

Take 5 minutes to answer the following questions.

1. Where did you experience growth or greater consistency in one of the spiritual disciplines this week?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which spiritual discipline was most difficult for you to practice this past week and why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How have you enjoyed intimacy with God through the disciplines? Explain.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Create a step for the upcoming week that will help you grow in practicing a spiritual discipline and enjoying greater intimacy with God by considering these questions: How can I structure the rhythms of my day/week in order to incorporate the spiritual disci-plines of Solitude? Do I need to stop doing or start doing something in order to grow in intimacy with God through the spiritual disciplines this week?

Or, If you heard from God this week in solitude consider what He has said to you and what He is inviting you to do as a result of this.

This week I will strive, in God’s strength, to______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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GROUP ACCOUNTABILITY & PRAYER (30-45 MINUTES) Depending on your group size you have approx. 5-7 minutes each to share the answers to the above questions. Once everyone has shared, take time to pray for yourself and/or each another.

As each person shares his/her weekly accountability step write it down so that you can pray for it during the upcoming week.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Pray for our International work-ers in the Middle East: Ken, Joey & Claire

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WEEK 2SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 1:12-26English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Then (A)they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to (B)the upper room, where they were staying, (C)Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon (D)the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these (E)with one accord (F)were devoting themselves to prayer, together with (G)the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and (H)his brothers.[a]

15 In those days Peter stood up among (I)the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, (J)the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David con-cerning Judas, (K)who became a guide to those who ar-rested Jesus. 17 For (L)he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in (M)this ministry.” 18 (Now this man (N)ac-quired a field with (O)the reward of his wickedness, and fall-ing headlong[b] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the in-habitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called (P)in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

(Q)“‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’;and(R)“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during (S)all the time that the Lord Jesus (T)went in and out among us, 22 (U)beginning from the baptism of John until the day when (V)he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us (W)a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called (X)Barsabbas, who was also called (Y)Justus, and (Z)Matthias. 24 And (AA)they prayed and said, “You, Lord, (AB)who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in (AC)this ministry and (AD)apostleship from which Ju-das turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was num-bered with the eleven apostles.


12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.

Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. 16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. 17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”

18 (Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. 19 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)

20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his posi-tion.’

21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— 22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Who-ever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrec-tion.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25 as an apostle to replace Ju-das in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was se-lected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

Footnotes:a Acts 1:14 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testa-ment usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may

refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 15b Acts 1:18 Or swelling up

Cross references:A. Acts 1:12 : Luke 24:50, 52B. Acts 1:13 : ch. 9:37, 39; 20:8


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C. Acts 1:13 : See Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16

D. Acts 1:13 : [ch. 21:20]E. Acts 1:14 : ch. 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25; Rom.

15:6F. Acts 1:14 : ch. 2:42; 6:4; Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2;

[Eph. 6:18]G. Acts 1:14 : Luke 8:2, 3H. Acts 1:14 : See Matt. 12:46I. Acts 1:15 : See John 21:23J. Acts 1:16 : Luke 24:44; [Luke 22:37]K. Acts 1:16 : Matt. 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke

22:47; John 18:3

L. Acts 1:17 : John 6:71; 13:21M. Acts 1:17 : ver. 25; ch. 20:24; 21:19; Rom.

11:13; 2 Cor. 4:1N. Acts 1:18 : [Matt. 27:5-8]O. Acts 1:18 : [Matt. 26:14-16]P. Acts 1:19 : [ch. 21:40]Q. Acts 1:20 : Cited from Ps. 69:25R. Acts 1:20 : Cited from Ps. 109:8S. Acts 1:21 : [John 15:27]T. Acts 1:21 : Num. 27:17; Deut. 31:2; 1 Sam.

18:13U. Acts 1:22 : ch. 13:24; Mark 1:1-4V. Acts 1:22 : ver. 2, 9

W. Acts 1:22 : ch. 4:33; [ver. 8; 1 Pet. 1:3]; See Luke 24:48

X. Acts 1:23 : [ch. 15:22]Y. Acts 1:23 : [ch. 18:7; Col. 4:11]Z. Acts 1:23 : ver. 26AA Acts 1:24 : ch. 6:6; 13:3AB Acts 1:24 : See 1 Sam. 16:7; Rom. 8:27AC Acts 1:25 : See ver. 17AD Acts 1:25 : Rom. 1:5; 1 Cor. 9:2; Gal. 2:8

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. What do the followers of Christ do as they wait for the Holy Spirit?2. Why does Judas have to be replaced? What is significant about the number twelve? What could this be in-

dicating about God’s plan?3. How do the disciples choose a replacement for Judas? How does this apply to us today? 4. Does this passage point to any implications for the present day community of believers? 5. What does this passage teach you about God? 6. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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WEEK 2SOLITUDE: JOURNALINGAs God speaks to you through His Word write down what is impacting you, what He is saying to you personally and/or your response back to Him.


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WEEK 2OPTIONAL: CHRONOLOGICAL READING OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

☐ Genesis 7☐ Genesis 8☐ Genesis 9☐ Genesis 10☐ Genesis 11☐ Genesis 12



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WEEK 2 CELL GROUP MEETING: LIFESTYLE-FORMING ACCOUNTABILITY (WEEKS 1 & 2)

PERSONAL REFLECTION (5 MINUTES) The spiritual disciplines to focus on are: Spending consistent time alone with God, regular Bible reading & reflection/meditation on the passage, prac-ticing stillness and/or silence in God’s presence, listening to God & responding back to Him in prayer, journaling, and memorization (although this may be a discipline you develop once the others are established as patterns in your life).

Take 5 minutes to answer the following questions.

1. Where did you experience growth or greater consistency in one of the spiritual disciplines this week? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How have you enjoyed intimacy with God through the disciplines? Explain.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Which spiritual discipline was most difficult for you to practice this past week and why?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Create a step for the upcoming week that will help you grow in practicing a spiritual discipline and enjoying greater intimacy with God by answering this question: How can I structure the rhythms of my day/week in order to incorporate the spiritual dis-ciplines of Solitude? Do I need to stop doing or start doing something in order to grow in intimacy with God through the spiri -tual disciplines this week?

Or, If you heard from God this week in solitude consider what He has said to you and what He is inviting you to do as a result of this.

My weekly action step: I will strive, in God’s strength, to___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How did you do with last week’s accountability item? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Pray for our International workers in the Middle East: Ken, Joey & Claire

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WEEK 2GROUP ACCOUNTABILITY (30-45 MINUTES) Depending on your group size you have approx. 5-7 minutes each to share the answers to the above questions. Once everyone has shared, pray for yourself and/or each another. As each person shares his/her weekly accountability step write it down so that you can pray for it during the upcoming week.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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WEEK 3SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 2:1-21 English Standard Version (ESV)2 When (A)the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all to-gether in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like (B)a mighty rushing wind, and (C)it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues (D)as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all (E)filled with the Holy Spirit and began (F)to speak in other tongues (G)as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And (H)at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, be-cause each one was hearing them speak in his own lan-guage. 7 And (I)they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking (J)Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and (K)Medes and (L)Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya be-longing to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and (M)proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And (N)all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others (O)mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, (P)since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 (Q)“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,(R)that I will pour out my Spirit (S)on all flesh,and your sons and (T)your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and (U)they shall prophesy.19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;20 (V)the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before (W)the day of the Lord comes, the great and mag-nificent day.21 And it shall come to pass that (X)everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

New Living Translation (NLT)2 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation liv-ing in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, every-one came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and con-verts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. 13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, say-ing, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apos-tles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke.20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Footnotes:a Acts 2:3 Or And tongues as of fire appeared to them, distributed among them, and restedb Acts 2:15 That is, 9 a.m.

Cross references:A. Acts 2:1 : ch. 20:16; 1 Cor. 16:8; [Lev. 23:15]B. Acts 2:2 : [1 Kgs. 19:11; Job 38:1; Ezek. 1:4]

C. Acts 2:2 : [ch. 4:31; 16:26]D. Acts 2:3 : Matt. 3:11E. Acts 2:4 : ch. 4:31; 13:52F. Acts 2:4 : See Mark 16:17






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G. Acts 2:4 : [1 Cor. 12:10, 11]H. Acts 2:6 : ver. 2I. Acts 2:7 : ver. 12J. Acts 2:7 : ch. 1:11; [Matt. 26:73]K. Acts 2:9 : 2 Kgs. 17:6L. Acts 2:9 : Gen. 14:1, 9; Isa. 11:11; Dan. 8:2M. Acts 2:11 : ch. 6:5; 13:43; Matt. 23:15

N. Acts 2:12 : ver. 7O. Acts 2:13 : [ch. 17:32; 1 Cor. 14:23]P. Acts 2:15 : [1 Thess. 5:7]Q. Acts 2:17 : Cited from Joel 2:28-32R. Acts 2:17 : ver. 18, 33; Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek.

36:27; See Rom. 5:5S. Acts 2:17 : [ch. 10:45; Titus 3:6]

T. Acts 2:17 : ch. 21:9U. Acts 2:18 : ch. 11:28; 21:10; 1 Cor. 12:10V. Acts 2:20 : See Matt. 24:29W. Acts 2:20 : [1 Thess. 5:2; Rev. 16:14]X. Acts 2:21 : Rom. 10:13; [ch. 16:31]

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. What miracle does God accomplish on Pentecost? For what purpose?2. Who is Peter’s audience? How does that inform the subject matter of the sermon?3. What are the two different responses to the disciples speaking in tongues?4. What is Peter’s purpose in quoting the prophet Joel?5. What does Joel mean when he speaks about “the last days” or “the day of the Lord”?6. What does this passage teach you about God?7. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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WEEK 3 CELL GROUP MEETING: RESPONSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

THE FOCUS OF RESPONSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

Our LIFESTYLE-FORMING ACCOUNTABILITY allowed us to focus on practicing the spiritual disciplines so that we would en -counter God. Hopefully over the last few weeks you have taken significant steps of growth in disciplining yourself for godliness and through this experiencing greater intimacy with God. Do not be discouraged if the disciplines feel like a duty. Keep on keeping on and they will become a delight. From this week on we will focus on RESPONSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY, which will encourage us to concentrate on where God is working in us and how He has been speaking to us in our times of Solitude with Him.

RESPONSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY encourages you to prayerfully consider your practice of Solitude over the previous week, as well as how God spoke to you as you lived the SCC lifestyle this week. From this you will discern His invitation to you for the coming week and your response to it.

• If you are new to the SCC lifestyle, going through a dry spell, and/or have struggled with spending time alone with God in Solitude and/or practicing the spiritual disciplines, God’s invitation will most likely be to continue working on “lifestyle-forming accountability”, creating an action step for the week that focuses on developing habits that will become a lifestyle.

• If you have spent consistent time with God in Solitude and have heard God speaking to you in a personal way, God’s invi -tation will most likely form out of this, inviting you to respond to what He has impressed on your heart. He may have shown you an area of sin that you need to repent of, a step of obedience that you need to take, a truth that you need to further meditate on, a promise that you need to rest in, etc.

PERSONAL REFLECTION (5 MINUTES) Prayerfully consider your practice of Solitude over the previous week, as well as how God spoke to you as you lived the SCC lifestyle. Is God inviting you to......

•Focus on your practice of “Loving God in Solitude”? •Take a step of obedience? •Repent from a sin? •Trust and rest in a truth? •Or something else?

This coming week God is inviting me to..... / My response to God’s invitation is to....___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How I did with last week’s accountability item...______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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WEEK 3GROUP ACCOUNTABILITY & PRAYER (30-45 MINUTES) Group Members’ Accountability Items (& Other Items) to Pray For:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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WEEK 4SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 2:22-32English Standard Version (ESV)22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, (A)a man attested to you by God (B)with (C)mighty works and wonders and signs that (D)God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[a] (E)delivered up according to (F)the defi-nite plan and (G)foreknowledge of God, (H)you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 (I)God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because (J)it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,(K)“‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue re-joiced; my flesh also will dwell (L)in hope.27 For you will not abandon my soul to (M)Hades, (N)or let your (O)Holy One (P)see corruption.28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your pres-ence.’29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about (Q)the patriarch David (R)that he both died and (S)was buried, and (T)his tomb is with us to this day. 30 (U)Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that (V)God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that (W)he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus (X)God raised up, (Y)and of that we all are witnesses.

New Living Translation (NLT)22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Je-sus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, won-ders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the hor-rors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him:

‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.

Footnotes:a Acts 2:23 Greek this oneCross references:A. Acts 2:22 : See John 3:2B. Acts 2:22 : ch. 10:38; Luke 24:19C. Acts 2:22 : 2 Cor. 12:12; 2 Thess. 2:9; Heb. 2:4D. Acts 2:22 : [Matt. 12:28]E. Acts 2:23 : Matt. 26:24; [ch. 3:13; Matt. 20:19]; See Luke 24:20F. Acts 2:23 : Luke 22:22; [ch. 3:18; 4:28; 13:27]G. Acts 2:23 : 1 Pet. 1:2; [1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8]H. Acts 2:23 : See ch. 5:30I. Acts 2:24 : ver. 32; ch. 3:15; 4:10; 10:40; 13:30, 33, 34, 37; 17:31; Rom.

4:24; 6:4; 8:11; 10:9; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:15; 2 Cor. 4:14; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:20; Col. 2:12; 1 Thess. 1:10; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 1:21; [Eph. 2:5]

J. Acts 2:24 : [Luke 24:5; John 10:18; 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14; Rev. 1:17, 18]

K. Acts 2:25 : Cited from Ps. 16:8-11L. Acts 2:26 : Rom. 4:18M. Acts 2:27 : ver. 31; See Matt. 11:23N. Acts 2:27 : ch. 13:35O. Acts 2:27 : See Heb. 7:26P. Acts 2:27 : [Luke 2:26]Q. Acts 2:29 : ch. 7:8, 9; Heb. 7:4R. Acts 2:29 : [ch. 13:36]S. Acts 2:29 : 1 Kgs. 2:10T. Acts 2:29 : Neh. 3:16U. Acts 2:30 : [2 Sam. 23:2; Matt. 22:43; Heb. 11:32]V. Acts 2:30 : See Luke 1:32W. Acts 2:31 : ver. 27X. Acts 2:32 : ver. 24Y. Acts 2:32 : ch. 1:22; 4:33

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. What does verse 23 teach about God’s sovereignty and human responsibility? If both are true, how can

they be reconciled?2. Why was it impossible for death to hold Christ?3. What is significant about the fact that David was still in his tomb? What is Peter’s argument?4. What does this passage teach you about God?






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5. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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WEEK 4PERSONAL REFLECTION (5 MINUTES) Prayerfully consider your practice of Solitude over the previous week, as well as how God spoke to you as you lived the SCC lifestyle. Is God inviting you to......


This coming week God is inviting me to..... / My response to God’s invitation is to....________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How I did with last week’s accountability item...

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33 (A)Being therefore (B)exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from (C)the Father (D)the promise of the Holy Spirit, (E)he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For (F)David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

(G)“‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at my right hand,35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that (H)God has made him (I)both Lord and Christ, this Jesus (J)whom you crucified.”

37 Now when (K)they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, (L)what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, (M)“Repent and (N)be baptized every one of you (O)in the name of Jesus Christ (P)for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will re-ceive (Q)the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For (R)the promise is for you and (S)for your children and for all (T)who are far off, ev-eryone (U)whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, (V)“Save yourselves from this (W)crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and (X)there were added that day about three thousand souls.


33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never as-cended into heaven, yet he said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your chil-dren, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Cross references:A. Acts 2:33 : ch. 5:31; Eph. 1:20; Phil. 2:9; Heb. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:22B. Acts 2:33 : Ex. 15:6; Ps. 98:1C. Acts 2:33 : ch. 1:4; [John 16:7]D. Acts 2:33 : Gal. 3:14E. Acts 2:33 : ver. 17F. Acts 2:34 : [John 3:13]G. Acts 2:34 : Cited from Ps. 110:1H. Acts 2:36 : See Matt. 28:18I. Acts 2:36 : Rom. 14:9; 2 Cor. 4:5J. Acts 2:36 : ver. 23K. Acts 2:37 : [ch. 5:33; 7:54]L. Acts 2:37 : ch. 16:30; Luke 3:10

M. Acts 2:38 : ch. 3:19; 20:21; 26:18, 20; Luke 24:47N. Acts 2:38 : ch. 22:16; [ch. 8:12]; See Mark 16:16O. Acts 2:38 : ch. 10:48; See ch. 8:16P. Acts 2:38 : See Mark 1:4Q. Acts 2:38 : ch. 10:45; [ch. 8:15, 20; 11:17]; See John 7:39R. Acts 2:39 : Rom. 9:4S. Acts 2:39 : ch. 3:25; Isa. 54:13; [Isa. 44:3]T. Acts 2:39 : ch. 22:21; Isa. 57:19; Eph. 2:13, 17U. Acts 2:39 : Joel 2:32; Rom. 8:30V. Acts 2:40 : [ver. 21, 47]W. Acts 2:40 : Deut. 32:5; Matt. 17:17; Phil. 2:15X. Acts 2:41 : ver. 47

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. What does Peter mean when he says that Jesus is Lord?2. What is the response of the people listening? 3. What does Peter mean when he says, “be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins”?

4. Who is the promise of salvation for?5. Why does Peter call his generation crooked?6. What does this passage teach you about God?7. What does this passage teach you about yourself



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WEEK 5SOLITUDE: JOURNALING


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WEEK 5CELL GROUP MEETING: RESPONSIVE ACCOUNTABILITY

PERSONAL REFLECTION (5 MINUTES) Prayerfully consider your practice of Solitude over the previous week, as well as how God spoke to you as you lived the SCC lifestyle. Is God inviting you to......


This coming week God is inviting me to..... / My response to God’s invitation is to...._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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WEEK 6SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 2:42-3:10English Standard Version (ESV)

42 And (A)they devoted themselves to the apostles' (B)teaching and the (C)fellowship, to (D)the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and (E)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were to-gether and (F)had all things in common. 45 And (G)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, (H)attending the temple (I)together and (J)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food (K)with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and (L)having favor with all the people. And the Lord (M)added to their number (N)day by day those who (O)were being saved.

3 Now Peter and John were (P)going up to the temple at (Q)the hour of prayer, (R)the ninth hour.[b] 2 And a man (S)lame from birth was being carried, (T)whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beau-tiful Gate (U)to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, (V)“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. (W)In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And (X)leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And (Y)all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with won-der and amazement at what had happened to him.


42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apos-tles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and won-ders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Tem-ple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the good-will of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

3 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them ea-gerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and an-kles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.9 All the people saw him walking and heard him prais-ing God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beg-gar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!


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Footnotes:a Acts 2:43 Or fearb Acts 3:1 That is, 3 p.m.

Cross references:A. Acts 2:42 : [Heb. 10:25]; See ch. 1:14B. Acts 2:42 : See 1 Cor. 14:6C. Acts 2:42 : Gal. 2:9; Phil. 1:5; 1 John 1:3D. Acts 2:42 : Luke 24:35; [ver. 46]; See ch. 20:7E. Acts 2:43 : See Mark 16:20F. Acts 2:44 : ch. 4:32, 34, 35; [Matt. 19:21]

G. Acts 2:45 : [See ver. 44 above]; ch. 4:32, 34, 35; [Matt. 19:21]

H. Acts 2:46 : ch. 3:1; 5:21, 42; Luke 24:53I. Acts 2:46 : See ch. 1:14J. Acts 2:46 : [ver. 42]K. Acts 2:46 : [ch. 16:34]; See John 16:22L. Acts 2:47 : ch. 5:13M. Acts 2:47 : ver. 41; ch. 5:14; 11:24N. Acts 2:47 : ch. 16:5O. Acts 2:47 : 1 Cor. 1:18; [ver. 21, 40; ch. 16:31]P. Acts 3:1 : See Luke 18:10

Q. Acts 3:1 : Ps. 55:17R. Acts 3:1 : ch. 10:3, 30; Matt. 27:46; [1 Kgs.

18:29]S. Acts 3:2 : ch. 14:8T. Acts 3:2 : [Luke 16:20]U. Acts 3:2 : [John 9:8]V. Acts 3:6 : 2 Cor. 6:10W. Acts 3:6 : [ch. 9:34]X. Acts 3:8 : ch. 14:10; Isa. 35:6Y. Acts 3:9 : ch. 4:16, 21

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. Write down as many observations as you can find in this passage about this early Christian community.2. Do you think all of these things should continue to be practiced in the same way today? Why or why not?3. What was the reaction of the outside world to this kind of community life? What can this teach you about

the Church’s witness today?4. What does this passage teach you about God?5. What does this passage teach you about yourself?



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Prayerfully consider your practice of Solitude over the previous week, as well as how God spoke to you as you lived the SCC lifestyle. Is God inviting you to......


This coming week God is inviting me to..... / My response to God’s invitation is to...._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Pray for our International workers in Japan: Carol & Doug Woon. They are on home assignment in Hamilton Sum-mer 2018-Summer 2019.

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11 (A)While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in (B)the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 (C)The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, (D)the God of our fathers, (E)glorified his servant[a] Jesus, whom (F)you delivered over and (G)denied in the presence of Pilate, (H)when he had de-cided to release him. 14 But you denied (I)the Holy and (J)Righteous One, and (K)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed (L)the Author of life, (M)whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And (N)his name—by (O)faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is (P)through Jesus[b] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that (Q)you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God (R)foretold (S)by the mouth of all the prophets, that (T)his Christ would (U)suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 (V)Repent therefore, and (W)turn back, that (X)your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ (Y)appointed for you, Jesus, 21 (Z)whom heaven must receive until the time for (AA)restoring all the things about which (AB)God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you (AC)a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen (AD)to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet (AE)shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And (AF)all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 (AG)You are the sons of the prophets and of (AH)the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, (AI)‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 (AJ)God, (AK)having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, (AL)to bless you (AM)by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”


11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colon-nade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and re-jected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the au-thor of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

17 “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21 For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23 Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’

24 “Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your de-scendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

Footnotes:a Acts 3:13 Or child; also verse 26b Acts 3:16 Greek him

Cross references:A. Acts 3:11 : ch. 4:14B. Acts 3:11 : ch. 5:12; John 10:23C. Acts 3:13 : Matt. 22:32D. Acts 3:13 : ch. 5:30; 22:14; [ch. 7:32]E. Acts 3:13 : Isa. 55:5; [Isa. 52:13]; See John 8:54F. Acts 3:13 : See Matt. 20:19

G. Acts 3:13 : ch. 13:28; John 19:7, 12, 15H. Acts 3:13 : Luke 23:14, 16; John 19:12I. Acts 3:14 : [ch. 4:27, 30]; See Mark 1:24J. Acts 3:14 : ch. 7:52; 22:14; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 2:1; 3:7; [James 5:6]K. Acts 3:14 : Luke 23:18, 19, 25L. Acts 3:15 : ch. 5:31M. Acts 3:15 : See ch. 2:24N. Acts 3:16 : [ver. 6]O. Acts 3:16 : [John 1:12]P. Acts 3:16 : [1 Pet. 1:21]



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Q. Acts 3:17 : ch. 13:27; [ch. 26:9; Luke 23:34; John 16:3; 1 Cor. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:13]

R. Acts 3:18 : See ch. 2:23S. Acts 3:18 : ch. 17:3; 26:22, 23; [Heb. 2:10]; See Luke 24:26, 27T. Acts 3:18 : See Luke 9:20U. Acts 3:18 : Matt. 17:12; Luke 22:15; 24:46; Heb. 13:12V. Acts 3:19 : See ch. 2:38W. Acts 3:19 : See Luke 22:32X. Acts 3:19 : Ps. 51:1, 9; Isa. 43:25; 44:22; Col. 2:14Y. Acts 3:20 : ch. 22:14; 26:16Z. Acts 3:21 : [ch. 1:11; Luke 24:26]AA. Acts 3:21 : [Matt. 17:11; Rom. 8:21]

AB Acts 3:21 : Luke 1:70AC Acts 3:22 : ch. 7:37, cited from Deut. 18:15, 18, 19AD Acts 3:22 : Matt. 17:5AE Acts 3:23 : Lev. 23:29AF Acts 3:24 : ch. 13:20; 1 Sam. 3:20; Heb. 11:32AG Acts 3:25 : See ch. 2:39AH Acts 3:25 : See Rom. 9:4, 5AI Acts 3:25 : Cited from Gen. 22:18; See Gen. 12:3AJ Acts 3:26 : Rom. 1:16; 2:9; 15:8; [Mark 7:27]AK Acts 3:26 : ver. 22AL Acts 3:26 : ver. 25AM Acts 3:26 : Rom. 11:26; [Ezek. 3:19]; See Matt. 1:21

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. Peter asks the crowd why they are amazed at this miracle (v.12). Why does he do this?2. What sins does Peter hold the Jews responsible for?3. How does he tell them that their sins can be forgiven?4. Peter says that through Christ’s suffering, God would fulfill the words of the prophets (v.18). Which

prophecies does he point to, and how has Christ fulfilled them?5. What does this passage teach you about God?6. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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Prayerfully consider your practice of Solitude over the previous week, as well as how God spoke to you during these times. Is God inviting you to...•Focus on your practice of “Loving God in Solitude”? •Take a step of obedience? •Repent from a sin? •Trust and rest in a truth? •Or something else?



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WEEK 8SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 4:1-12English Standard Version (ESV)4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and (A)the captain of the temple and (B)the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming (C)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and (D)put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and (E)the number of the men came to about five thousand.5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with (F)Annas the high priest and (G)Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, (H)“By what power or (I)by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, (J)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being ex-amined today (K)concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that (L)by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (M)whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 (N)This Jesus[a] is the stone that was (O)re-jected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.[b] 12 And there is (P)salvation (Q)in no one else, for (R)there is no other (S)name under heaven given among men[c] by which we must be saved.”


4 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a res-urrection of the dead. 3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 An-nas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being ques-tioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the power-ful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Footnotes:a Acts 4:11 Greek This oneb Acts 4:11 Greek the head of the cornerc Acts 4:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women

Cross references:A. Acts 4:1 : ch. 5:24, 26; Luke 22:4, 52; [1 Chr. 9:11; Neh. 11:11]B. Acts 4:1 : See Matt. 22:23C. Acts 4:2 : ch. 17:18; [ch. 3:15]D. Acts 4:3 : See Luke 21:12E. Acts 4:4 : [ch. 2:41]F. Acts 4:6 : Luke 3:2; John 18:13, 24G. Acts 4:6 : See Matt. 26:3

H. Acts 4:7 : [Matt. 21:23]I. Acts 4:7 : [ver. 10]J. Acts 4:8 : See Matt. 10:20K. Acts 4:9 : ch. 3:7, 8L. Acts 4:10 : ch. 3:6M. Acts 4:10 : See ch. 2:24N. Acts 4:11 : See Ps. 118:22O. Acts 4:11 : Mark 9:12; Luke 23:11P. Acts 4:12 : ch. 13:26; 28:28; John 4:22; Heb. 2:3; Jude 3Q. Acts 4:12 : [1 Tim. 2:5]R. Acts 4:12 : [Gal. 1:7]S. Acts 4:12 : ch. 10:43; Luke 24:47; John 20:31

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. For what reasons did the Sadducees arrest the disciples?2. What do you think the high priest was implying with his question?3. What does the author mean when he says that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit?4. What authority does Peter appeal to? How does this conflict with the Jewish rulers?


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5. How do you respond to Peter’s exclusive claim of salvation (v.12)?6. What does this passage teach you about God?7. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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WEEK 9: REFLECTION WEEKSOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 4:13-31English Standard Version (ESV)13 (A)Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed (B)standing beside them, (C)they had nothing to say in oppo-sition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, (D)“What shall we do with these men? For that (E)a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabi-tants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them (F)to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John an-swered them, (G)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for (H)we cannot but speak of what (I)we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, (J)because of the people, for all were praising God (K)for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices (L)to-gether to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, (M)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[a] said by the Holy Spirit,

(N)“‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and (O)the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his (P)Anointed’[b]—

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your (Q)holy servant Jesus, (R)whom you anointed, both (S)Herod and (T)Pontius Pilate, along (U)with the Gentiles and (V)the peoples of Israel, 28 (W)to do whatever your hand and (X)your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, (Y)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all (Z)boldness, 30 while (AA)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and won-ders are performed (AB)through the name of your (AC)holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, (AD)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and (AE)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and (AF)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

New Living Translation (NLT)13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the coun-cil could say. 15 So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves.

16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about ev-erything we have seen and heard.” 21 The council then threat-ened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For ev-eryone was praising God 22 for this miraculous sign—the heal-ing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and el-ders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying,

‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered togetheragainst the Lord and against his Messiah.’

27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy ser-vant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was de-termined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Footnotes:a Acts 4:25 Or child; also verses 27, 30b Acts 4:26 Or Christ

Cross references:

A. Acts 4:13 : [John 7:15]B. Acts 4:14 : ch. 3:11C. Acts 4:14 : [Luke 21:15]D. Acts 4:16 : [John 11:47; 12:19]E. Acts 4:16 : ver. 21; ch. 3:9, 10

F. Acts 4:17 : ch. 5:28, 40G. Acts 4:19 : ch. 5:29H. Acts 4:20 : [Amos 3:8; John 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:16]I. Acts 4:20 : ch. 22:15; 1 John 1:1, 3




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J. Acts 4:21 : ch. 5:13, 26; [Matt. 21:26, 46; Mark 11:32; Luke 20:6, 19; 22:2]

K. Acts 4:21 : ch. 3:7, 8L. Acts 4:24 : See ch. 1:14M. Acts 4:24 : Ex. 20:11; 2 Chr. 2:12; Neh. 9:6;

Ps. 102:25; 124:8; 134:3; 146:6N. Acts 4:25 : Cited from Ps. 2:1, 2O. Acts 4:26 : ver. 5P. Acts 4:26 : ch. 10:38; Luke 4:18; Heb. 1:9;

[Dan. 9:24; Rev. 11:15]

Q. Acts 4:27 : ver. 30R. Acts 4:27 : ver. 26S. Acts 4:27 : Luke 23:7-11T. Acts 4:27 : Matt. 27:2U. Acts 4:27 : See Matt. 20:19V. Acts 4:27 : Matt. 26:3W. Acts 4:28 : [Isa. 46:10]X. Acts 4:28 : See ch. 2:23Y. Acts 4:29 : [2 Kgs. 19:16]

Z. Acts 4:29 : ver. 13, 31; ch. 9:27, 29; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 28:31; Eph. 6:19

AA. Acts 4:30 : [Ps. 138:7; Prov. 31:20; Isa. 1:25; Zeph. 1:4]

Acts 4:30 : ch. 3:6; [Matt. 7:22; Mark 9:39; 16:17]Acts 4:30 : ver. 27Acts 4:31 : [ch. 2:2; 16:26; Ps. 77:18]Acts 4:31 : See ch. 2:4Acts 4:31 : [Phil. 1:14]

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. Why do you think the author chose to tell us that the disciples were uneducated, common men (v.13)? 2. What can you learn from Peter and John’s response to the council (v.19-20)?3. The believers quote Psalm 2 (v.25-26). Read the whole psalm. What is God’s reaction to evil, earthly pow-

ers? What things does he promise to do?4. How has this prophecy been fulfilled in Christ?5. In light of these truths, what do the believers then pray for? Do you pray for the same thing?6. What does this passage teach you about God?7. What does this passage teach you about yourself?



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WEEK 9 SOLITUDE: REFLECTION EXERCISE

FOCUS OF REFLECTION WEEK Every 10 weeks (approx.) we will have an opportunity to reflect back on the weeks we journeyed with God, to remember what He has said to us and reflect on where His fingers are pressing into our lives. This week is called our REFLECTION week. Reflecting back, or remembering, is a biblical principle (i.e. Ps. 105:4-6, Ps. 63:6, Ps. 77:11-12, Ps. 143:4-6) that helps us see and understand where God has been working in our heart and life. At one point in time, Jesus said to His disciples, “Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? Don’t you remember?” (Mark. 8:17b-18). We don’t want to be like the disciples who couldn’t see or understand because they did not “remember”. Remembering brings clarity and perspective. It gives us a foundation on which to move forward. Over the past number of weeks God has spoken to you, He has impressed on your heart certain truths, He has prompted you to take certain action steps. Without taking time to remember and reflect back on these things we will forget the particulars and have a hard time seeing the bigger picture of God’s activity in our lives; how the particulars of our jour-ney of growth connect with His broader purposes in our lives.

Therefore, this week we will take time to remember the journey we have been on with God over the last number of weeks and through this you will have an opportunity to….

· See a common thread(s) or similar pattern(s) in the things God has said to you;· See a big picture of what God is doing in your life;· Gain a new perspective on where God has you and how He is wanting to transform you

Anticipate that God will lead you to discern something significant through “remembering” that will help you to more fully join Him as He moves you toward greater Christ-likeness. “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent” (Rev. 3:3a).

REFLECTION EXERCISETO BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOUR NEXT CELL GROUP MEETING

1. Take time to read through your journal and accountability entries, particularly God’s weekly invitations to you and your responses from week 1 to 9. As you do this look for common themes and/or patterns, how God has been working in your life and areas you have grown in, as well as areas over which you still need to find victory. You may find it helpful to read with a highlighter in hand.

2. Then, answer the follow questions:

What did you see as you read through your material? In a few sentences encapsulate a common theme or thread in what God has been saying to you / a persistent area of struggle that keeps cropping up week by week / an area of growth that you can celebrate / an “aha” moment / etc. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Based upon what you have discovered from your reflection exercise, consider what God’s invitation to you is. Write down your response, a way that you can more fully join Him in what He is doing in your life. Father, I see where you have been, and continue to be, at work in my life and I will join You in this by....________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A NOTE TO THE LEADERS:This reflection exercise is a very important part of the process of hearing from God and responding back to Him. It requires unhurried time for each person to share, interact with one another and prayer for each per-son specifically. Therefore, you are encouraged to allocate sufficient time to the accountability portion of your meeting (approx. 15-20 minutes per person). Depending on the size of your accountability groups, you may need to invest your full cell group meeting to this.


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☐ Genesis 49☐ Genesis 50☐ Job 1☐ Job 2☐ Job 3☐ Job 4

JOURNALING FOR CHRONOLOGICAL READING OF GOD’S WORD


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WEEK 9 CELL GROUP MEETING: REFLECTION WEEK ACCOUNTABILITY

GROUP ACCOUNTABILITY & PRAYER (45-60 MINUTES) Work through the following three steps focusing on one person at a time. Plan to take 10-15 minutes per person.

STEP 1: PERSONAL SHARING: One person shares what they’ve discovered through the reflection exercise by reading his/her answers to the 3 questions listed.

STEP 2: GROUP FEEDBACK/INPUT: Group members take a few minutes to respond back to what has been shared and other patterns they are seeing of how God is at work in the life of this person. This input and feedback, whether it is in the form of a word of affirmation, sharing a new idea or perspective, gently challenging, asking a question, etc. will help to shed further light on how God has been at work in this individual’s life.

STEP 3: PRAYER: One or two group members pray for the person who has shared.

Group Members’ Accountability Items (& Other Items) to Pray For: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Pray for our International workers in the Caribbean: Vance & Wendy Sutherland

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WEEK 10SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON JOHN 1:1-18English Standard Version (ESV)

1 (A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and (C)the Word was with God, and (D)the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 (E)All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 (F)In him was life,[a] and (G)the life was the light of men. 5 (H)The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.6 There was a man (I)sent from God, whose name was (J)John. 7 He came as a (K)witness, to bear witness about the light, (L)that all might believe through him. 8 (M)He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.9 (N)The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet (O)the world did not know him. 11 He came to (P)his own,[b] and (Q)his own people[c] (R)did not receive him. 12 But to all who did re-ceive him, (S)who believed in his name, (T)he gave the right (U)to become (V)children of God, 13 who (W)were born, (X)not of blood (Y)nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.14 And (Z)the Word (AA)became flesh and (AB)dwelt among us, (AC)and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of (AD)grace and (AE)truth. 15 (AF)(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, (AG)‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from (AH)his fullness we have all received, (AI)grace upon grace.[e] 17 For (AJ)the law was given through Moses; (AK)grace and truth came through Je-sus Christ. 18 (AL)No one has ever seen God; (AM)the only God,[f] who is at the Father's side,[g] (AN)he has made him known.


1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He existed in the beginning with God.3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was com-ing into the world.10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithful-ness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Fa-ther’s one and only Son.15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”16 From his abundance we have all received one gra-cious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithful-ness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

Footnotes:a John 1:4 Or was not any thing made. That which has been made was life in himb John 1:11 Greek to his own things; that is, to his own domain, or to his own peoplec John 1:11 People is implied in Greek

d John 1:14 Or only One, or unique Onee John 1:16 Or grace in place of gracef John 1:18 Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Song John 1:18 Greek in the bosom of the Father

Cross references:

A. John 1:1 : Gen. 1:1; [Col. 1:17; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 1:4, 8, 17; 3:14; 21:6; 22:13]

B. John 1:1 : Rev. 19:13; [Heb. 4:12; 1 John 1:1]

C. John 1:1 : 1 John 1:2; [ch. 17:5]D. John 1:1 : Phil. 2:6E. John 1:3 : ver. 10; Ps. 33:6; 1 Cor.

8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2


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F. John 1:4 : ch. 5:26; 11:25; 1 John 1:2; 5:11

G. John 1:4 : ch. 8:12; 9:5; 12:46H. John 1:5 : [ch. 3:19]I. John 1:6 : ver. 33; ch. 3:28; Mal.

3:1J. John 1:6 : Matt. 3:1; Mark 1:4;

Luke 3:2K. John 1:7 : ch. 3:26; 5:33L. John 1:7 : Acts 19:4M. John 1:8 : ver. 20N. John 1:9 : Isa. 49:6; 1 John 2:8O. John 1:10 : [ch. 16:3; 1 John 3:1]P. John 1:11 : Matt. 21:38Q. John 1:11 : ch. 13:1R. John 1:11 : ch. 5:43; [ch. 3:11,

32]S. John 1:12 : See 1 John 5:13

T. John 1:12 : 1 John 5:1U. John 1:12 : 1 John 3:1; [Matt.

5:45]V. John 1:12 : [Gal. 3:26]; See ch.

11:52W. John 1:13 : James 1:18; [ch. 3:3; 1

Pet. 1:3]X. John 1:13 : 1 Pet. 1:23Y. John 1:13 : ch. 3:6Z. John 1:14 : ver. 1AA John 1:14 : Rom. 1:3; 8:3; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:7, 8; Col. 1:22; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7; [ch. 6:51]AB John 1:14 : Rev. 7:15; 21:3AC John 1:14 : ch. 2:11; Luke 9:32; 2 Pet. 1:16, 17; 1 John 1:1; 4:14AD John 1:14 : See ver. 7

AE John 1:14 : [ch. 14:6]AF John 1:15 : See ver. 7AG John 1:15 : ver. 27, 30; See Matt. 3:11AH John 1:16 : Eph. 1:23; 3:19; 4:13; Col. 1:19; 2:9AI John 1:16 : [Matt. 25:29]AJ John 1:17 : ch. 7:19; Ex. 20:1AK John 1:17 : ver. 14; [Rom. 5:21]AL John 1:18 : ch. 5:37; 6:46; Ex. 33:20; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 4:12, 20; [ch. 12:45]AM John 1:18 : ver. 14; See ch. 3:16AN John 1:18 : [Matt. 11:27]; See ch. 3:32


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WEEK 11SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON GALATIANS 4:4-7English Standard Version (ESV)

4 But (A)when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, (B)born (C)of woman, born (D)under the law, 5 (E)to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive (F)adoption as sons. 6 And be-cause you are sons, God has sent (G)the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then (H)an heir through God.


4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Cross references:a Galatians 4:4 : [1 Tim. 2:6]; See Mark 1:15b Galatians 4:4 : Phil. 2:7; See John 1:14c Galatians 4:4 : [1 Tim. 2:15]; See Gen. 3:15d Galatians 4:4 : [Luke 2:21, 22, 27]e Galatians 4:5 : See ch. 3:13f Galatians 4:5 : ch. 3:26; See Rom. 8:15g Galatians 4:6 : [Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 3:17]; See Acts 16:7h Galatians 4:7 : See ch. 3:29



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WEEK 12SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON 1 PETER 1:3-11English Standard Version (ESV)

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him (A)who called us to[a] his own glory and excellence,[b] 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become (B)partakers of the divine nature, (C)having es-caped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every ef-fort to supplement your faith (D)with virtue,[c] and virtue (E)with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control (F)with steadfastness, and steadfast-ness with godliness, 7 and godliness (G)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection (H)with love. 8 For if these qualities[d] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or (I)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he (J)is blind, having forgotten that he was (K)cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,[e] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and (L)election, for if you practice these qualities (M)you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you (N)an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excel-lence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine na-ture and escape the world’s corruption caused by hu-man desires.

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a gener-ous provision of moral excellence, and moral excel-lence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-con-trol, and self-control with patient endurance, and pa-tient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:2 Peter 1:3 Or by2 Peter 1:3 Or virtue2 Peter 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse2 Peter 1:8 Greek these things; also verses 9, 10, 122 Peter 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sistersCross references:A 2 Peter 1:3 : [1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Pet. 5:10]B. 2 Peter 1:4 : [Eph. 4:24; Heb. 12:10; 1 John 3:2]C. 2 Peter 1:4 : ch. 2:18, 20

D. 2 Peter 1:5 : Phil. 4:8E. 2 Peter 1:5 : 1 Pet. 3:7F. 2 Peter 1:6 : See Heb. 10:36; James 1:3G. 2 Peter 1:7 : See Heb. 13:1H. 2 Peter 1:7 : 1 Cor. 13; 1 John 4:16I 2 Peter 1:8 : See John 15:2; Titus 3:14J. 2 Peter 1:9 : Job 5:14; 12:25; Isa. 59:10; Zeph. 1:17; [1 John 2:9-11]K. 2 Peter 1:9 : Eph. 5:26; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:14; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 7:14L. 2 Peter 1:10 : 1 Thess. 1:4M. 2 Peter 1:10 : [ch. 3:17; 1 John 2:10]N. 2 Peter 1:11 : Col. 1:13; [Acts 14:22]


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WEEK 13SOLITUDE: STUDYING OF & MEDITATING ON ACTS 4:32-5:16English Standard Version (ESV)

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of (A)one heart and (B)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but (C)they had everything in common. 33 And with great (D)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and (E)great grace was upon them all. 34 (F)There was not a needy person among them, for (G)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and (H)laid it at the apostles' feet, and (I)it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barn-abas (which means (J)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and (K)laid it at the apostles' feet.5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowl-edge (L)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and (M)laid it at the apos-tles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (N)Satan filled your heart to lie (O)to the Holy Spirit and (P)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your dis-posal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but (Q)to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he (R)fell down and breathed his last. And (S)great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and (T)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (U)to test (V)the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.


32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testi-fied powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apos-tles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of En-couragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

5 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terri-fied. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”

“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just out-side the door, and they will carry you out, too.”10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they

11 And (W)great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people (X)by the hands of the apostles. And they were all (Y)together in (Z)Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but (AA)the people


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held them in high esteem. 14 And (AB)more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 (AC)so that they even (AD)carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by (AE)at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gath-ered from the towns around Jerusalem, (AF)bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the be-lievers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more peo-ple believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Footnotes:a Acts 5:8 The Greek for you is plural here

Cross references:A. Acts 4:32 : 2 Chr. 30:12; Ezek. 11:19B. Acts 4:32 : Phil. 1:27C. Acts 4:32 : ch. 2:44D. Acts 4:33 : See ch. 1:8, 22E. Acts 4:33 : [ch. 11:23]F. Acts 4:34 : [2 Cor. 8:14, 15]G. Acts 4:34 : ch. 2:45H. Acts 4:35 : ver. 37; ch. 5:2I. Acts 4:35 : [ch. 6:1]J. Acts 4:36 : [Mark 3:17]K. Acts 4:37 : ver. 35L. Acts 5:2 : ver. 3M. Acts 5:2 : ch. 4:35, 37N. Acts 5:3 : [Luke 22:3; John 13:2, 27]O. Acts 5:3 : [ver. 4, 9]

P. Acts 5:3 : ver. 2Q. Acts 5:4 : [ver. 3, 9]R. Acts 5:5 : [Ezek. 11:13]S. Acts 5:5 : ver. 11T. Acts 5:6 : [ch. 8:2; Ezek. 29:5; John 19:40]U. Acts 5:9 : [ch. 15:10; 1 Cor. 10:9]V. Acts 5:9 : [ver. 3, 4]W. Acts 5:11 : ver. 5X. Acts 5:12 : ch. 2:43; 4:30; 14:3; 19:11; Mark 16:20; Rom. 15:19; 2 Cor.

12:12; Heb. 2:4Y. Acts 5:12 : See ch. 1:14Z. Acts 5:12 : ch. 3:11; John 10:23AA Acts 5:13 : ver. 26; ch. 2:47; 4:21AB Acts 5:14 : [ch. 6:1, 2]AC Acts 5:15 : [ch. 19:12]AD Acts 5:15 : Mark 6:55, 56AE Acts 5:15 : [2 Kgs. 4:29; Matt. 14:36]AF Acts 5:16 : Mark 16:17, 18

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. What does chapter 4:32-37 show you about what God wants the community of believers to be?2. God’s judgement on Ananias and Sapphira seems very harsh. Why do you think He did that? What other

stories in the Bible does this remind you of?3. We’re told that this event caused great fear throughout the church (v.5,11). What do you think that

means?4. What conclusions can you draw about wealth and possessions?5. What does this passage teach you about God?6. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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Pray for our International workers in the Dominican Republic: Tammie, Abby, Rick & Moriah Romano

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17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of (A)the Sadducees), and filled with (B)jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and (C)put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night (D)an angel of the Lord (E)opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all (F)the words of (G)this (H)Life.” 21 And when they heard this, (I)they en-tered the temple (J)at daybreak and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the sen-ate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (K)the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison (L)are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then (M)the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for (N)they were afraid of being stoned by the people.27 And when they had brought them, they set them be-fore the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, (O)“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you (P)intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles an-swered, (Q)“We must obey God rather than men. 30 (R)The God of our fathers (S)raised Jesus, (T)whom you killed by hanging him on (U)a tree. 31 God exalted (V)him at his right hand as (W)Leader and (X)Savior, (Y)to give (Z)repentance to Israel and (AA)forgiveness of sins. 32 And (AB)we are witnesses to these things, and (AC)so is the Holy Spirit, (AD)whom God has given to those who obey him.”33 When they heard this, they (AE)were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council


17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sad-ducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the lead-ing priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”26 The captain went with his Temple guards and ar-rested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us respon-sible for his death!”29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are wit-nesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

named (AF)Gamaliel, (AG)a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For (AH)before these days

Theudas rose up, (AI)claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of (AJ)the census and drew away


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some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for (AK)if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but (AL)if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You (AM)might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and (AN)when they had called in the apostles, (AO)they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, (AP)rejoicing that they were counted wor-thy (AQ)to suffer dishonor for (AR)the name. 42 And every day, (AS)in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and (AT)preaching (AU)that the Christ is Jesus.

33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Phar-isee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and or-dered that the men be sent outside the council cham-ber for a while. 35 Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do

to these men! 36 Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole move-ment came to nothing. 37 After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.38 “So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”40 The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.41 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

Cross references:A. Acts 5:17 : See Matt. 22:23B. Acts 5:17 : ch. 13:45; James 3:14, 16; [ch. 7:9; 17:5]C. Acts 5:18 : See Luke 21:12D. Acts 5:19 : See ch. 8:26E. Acts 5:19 : ch. 12:10; 16:26F. Acts 5:20 : [John 6:63, 68; Phil. 2:16]G. Acts 5:20 : [ch. 13:46; 22:4; 28:28]H. Acts 5:20 : ch. 3:15; 11:18I. Acts 5:21 : ver. 25, 42J. Acts 5:21 : [John 8:2]K. Acts 5:24 : ver. 26; See ch. 4:1L. Acts 5:25 : ver. 21M. Acts 5:26 : ver. 24N. Acts 5:26 : ver. 13; See ch. 4:21O. Acts 5:28 : ch. 4:18P. Acts 5:28 : ch. 2:23, 36; 3:15; 4:10; 7:52; Matt. 27:25Q. Acts 5:29 : [ch. 4:19, 20]R. Acts 5:30 : See ch. 3:13S. Acts 5:30 : See ch. 2:24T. Acts 5:30 : ch. 10:39; Gal. 3:13; See Luke 24:20U. Acts 5:30 : ch. 13:29; 1 Pet. 2:24V. Acts 5:31 : See ch. 2:33W. Acts 5:31 : See ch. 3:15

X. Acts 5:31 : See Luke 2:11Y. Acts 5:31 : Luke 24:47; See Luke 5:32Z. Acts 5:31 : ch. 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25; [Rom. 2:4]AA. Acts 5:31 : Luke 24:47; See Luke 5:32AB Acts 5:32 : See Luke 24:48AC Acts 5:32 : [ch. 15:28; John 15:26, 27; Heb. 2:4; 1 John 5:7]AD Acts 5:32 : See ch. 2:4AE Acts 5:33 : ch. 7:54; [ch. 2:37]AF Acts 5:34 : ch. 22:3AG Acts 5:34 : See Luke 5:17AH Acts 5:36 : [ch. 21:38]AI Acts 5:36 : ch. 8:9; [Gal. 2:6; 6:3]AJ Acts 5:37 : [Luke 2:2]AK Acts 5:38 : Lam. 3:37AL Acts 5:39 : Prov. 21:30; Isa. 8:9, 10; Nah. 1:9AM Acts 5:39 : 2 Chr. 13:12; [ch. 11:17]AN Acts 5:40 : ch. 4:18AO Acts 5:40 : [ch. 22:19; Mark 13:9; Luke 23:16]AP Acts 5:41 : 1 Pet. 4:13, 14, 16; See Matt. 5:12AQ Acts 5:41 : ch. 9:16; 21:13; [Rom. 1:5]; See John 15:21AR Acts 5:41 : Lev. 24:11, 16; Phil. 2:9; 3 John 7AS Acts 5:42 : ch. 2:46AT Acts 5:42 : ch. 8:35; 11:20; 17:18AU Acts 5:42 : See ch. 18:5

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. The authority of God over the Jewish leaders is a theme that continues to surface throughout the book.

Try to identify all of the ways in this passage that God actively prevents their plans from coming to pass, while advancing His own.

2. Why do you think the Sadducees are filled with jealousy (v.17)?3. How does this passage teach Christians to respond to earthly authorities and persecution?4. What does this passage teach you about God?5. What does this passage teach you about yourself?





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6 Now in these days (A)when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in (B)the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 (C)Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men (D)of good repute, (E)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But (F)we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, (G)a man full of faith and (H)of the Holy Spirit, and (I)Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Ti-mon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, (J)a proselyte of Anti-och. 6 These they set before the apostles, and (K)they prayed and (L)laid their hands on them.

7 And (M)the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests (N)became obedient to (O)the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and (P)power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandri-ans, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and dis-puted with Stephen. 10 But (Q)they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then (R)they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they (S)set up false (T)witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against (U)this holy place and the law, 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth (V)will destroy this place and will (W)change (X)the customs that Moses deliv-ered to us.” 15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face (Y)was like the face of an angel.


6 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rum-blings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers com-plained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, broth-ers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibil-ity. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Pro-corus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, say-ing, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.

13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Footnotes:a Acts 6:1 That is, Greek-speaking Jewsb Acts 6:3 Or brothers and sisters

Cross references:A. Acts 6:1 : ch. 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; [ver. 7]B. Acts 6:1 : [ch. 4:35]C. Acts 6:3 : [Deut. 1:13]

D. Acts 6:3 : [1 Tim. 3:7]E. Acts 6:3 : ver. 5; ch. 7:55; 11:24; [Luke 1:15; 4:1]F. Acts 6:4 : See ch. 1:14G. Acts 6:5 : ch. 11:24H. Acts 6:5 : ver. 3I. Acts 6:5 : ch. 8:5; 21:8J. Acts 6:5 : ch. 2:11; 13:43; Matt. 23:15K. Acts 6:6 : ch. 1:24; 13:3








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L. Acts 6:6 : 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6; [ch. 8:17; 9:17; 19:6; Heb. 6:2]M. Acts 6:7 : ch. 12:24; 19:20; [Col. 1:5, 6]N. Acts 6:7 : See Rom. 1:5O. Acts 6:7 : ch. 13:8; 14:22; 16:5P. Acts 6:8 : See ch. 1:8Q. Acts 6:10 : See Luke 21:14, 15R. Acts 6:11 : [1 Kgs. 21:10, 13; Matt. 26:59, 60]

S. Acts 6:13 : ver. 11T. Acts 6:13 : ch. 7:58U. Acts 6:13 : [ch. 21:28; 25:8; Matt. 24:15]V. Acts 6:14 : [Dan. 9:26; Matt. 26:61]W. Acts 6:14 : [Matt. 5:17]X. Acts 6:14 : ch. 15:1; 21:21Y. Acts 6:15 : [Judg. 13:6; Eccles. 8:1]

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. What is the difference between the Hellenists and the Hebrews? Why would the widows of the Hellenists

be neglected?2. According to this passage, how are we to think about prayer and the ministry of the Word?3. Why did a great many priests come to faith (v.7)? [HINT: the priests administered the daily distribution to

the needy]. What does this say about the role of ministering to people’s physical needs in sharing the Gospel?

4. What do Stephen’s persecutors charge him with before the council? Contrast this with the following pas-sages: Luke 21:5-9, Matthew 5:7-20. How do their charges misrepresent Jesus’ actual teaching?

5. What does this passage teach you about God?6. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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7 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And Stephen said:

(A)“Brothers and fathers, hear me. (B)The God (C)of glory ap-peared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, (D)before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, (E)‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 (F)Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And (G)after his father died, (H)God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5 Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised (I)to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, (J)though he had no child. 6 And God spoke to this effect—that (K)his offspring would (L)be sojourners in a land belonging to oth-ers, who would enslave them and afflict them (M)four hun-dred years. 7 ‘But (N)I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out (O)and worship me in this place.’ 8 And (P)he gave him the covenant of cir-cumcision. And (Q)so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and (R)circumcised him on the eighth day, and (S)Isaac be-came the father of Jacob, and (T)Jacob of the twelve patri-archs.

9 “And the patriarchs, (U)jealous of Joseph, (V)sold him into Egypt; but (W)God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and (X)gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, (Y)who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now (Z)there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 (AA)But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And (AB)on the second visit (AC)Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and (AD)Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. 14 And (AE)Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, (AF)seventy-five persons in all. 15 And (AG)Jacob went down into Egypt, and (AH)he died, he (AI)and our fathers, 16 and (AJ)they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that (AK)Abra-ham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.17 “But (AL)as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, (AM)the people increased and mul-tiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king (AN)who did not know Joseph. 19 (AO)He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, (AP)so that they would not be kept alive. 20 (AQ)At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, 21 and (AR)when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughterNew Living Translation (NLT)

7 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these accusa-tions true?”

2 This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. 3 God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’ 4 So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.

5 “But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that even-tually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his de-scendants—even though he had no children yet. 6 God also told him that his descendants would live in a foreign land, where they would be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. 7 ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and in the end they will come out and worship me here in this place.’

8 “God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. So when Abraham became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him on the eighth day. And the practice was continued when Isaac became the father of Jacob, and when Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation.

9 “These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.

11 “But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery, and our ancestors ran out of food. 12 Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons—our ancestors—to buy some. 13 The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh. 14 Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all. 15 So Jacob went to Egypt. He died there, as did our ancestors. 16 Their bodies were taken to Shechem and buried in the tomb Abraham had bought for a certain price from Hamor’s sons in Shechem.

adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses (AS)was instructed in (AT)all the wisdom of the Egyp-

tians, and he was (AU)mighty in his words and deeds.


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23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart (AV)to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He sup-posed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not under-stand. 26 (AW)And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, (AX)‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 At this retort (AY)Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, (AZ)where he became the father of two sons.

30 “Now when forty years had passed, (BA)an angel ap-peared to him (BB)in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 (BC)‘I am the God of your fa-thers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33 Then the Lord said to him, (BD)‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 (BE)I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and (BF)have heard their groaning, and (BG)I have come down to deliver them. (BH)And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

35 “This Moses, whom they rejected, (BI)saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer (BJ)by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 (BK)This man led them out, performing (BL)wonders and signs (BM)in Egypt and (BN)at the Red Sea and (BO)in the wilderness for (BP)forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you (BQ)a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one (BR)who was in the congregation in the wilderness with (BS)the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. (BT)He received (BU)living (BV)oracles to give to us. 39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and (BW)in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, (BX)‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 And (BY)they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and

17 “As the time drew near when God would fulfill his prom-ise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased. 18 But then a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. 19 This king ex-ploited our people and oppressed them, forcing parents to abandon their newborn babies so they would die.

20 “At that time Moses was born—a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months. 21 When they had to abandon him, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son. 22 Moses was taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was power-ful in both speech and action.

23 “One day when Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel. 24 He saw an Egyp-tian mistreating an Israelite. So Moses came to the man’s defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses assumed his fellow Israelites would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t.

26 “The next day he visited them again and saw two men of Israel fighting. He tried to be a peacemaker. ‘Men,’ he said, ‘you are brothers. Why are you fighting each other?’

27 “But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside. ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ he asked. 28 ‘Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian. There his two sons were born.

30 “Forty years later, in the desert near Mount Sinai, an an-gel appeared to Moses in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he went to take a closer look, the voice of the Lord called out to him, 32 ‘I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with terror and did not dare to look.

33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 34 I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.’

35 “So God sent back the same man his people had previ-ously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you

(BZ)were rejoicing in (CA)the works of their hands. 42 But (CB)God turned away and (CC)gave them over to worship (CD)the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:

(CE)“‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,

(CF)during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Is-rael?43 You took up the tent of (CG)Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship;and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’


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44 “Our fathers had (CH)the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses (CI)directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn (CJ)brought it in with Joshua when they (CK)dispossessed the nations (CL)that God drove out before our fathers. So it was (CM)until the days of David, 46 (CN)who found favor in the sight of God and (CO)asked to find a dwelling place for (CP)the God of Jacob.[a] 47 But it was (CQ)Solomon who built a house for him. 48 (CR)Yet the Most High does not dwell (CS)in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,

49 (CT)“‘Heaven is my throne, (CU)and the earth is my footstool.What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?50 Did not my hand make all these things?’

51 (CV)“You stiff-necked people, (CW)uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. (CX)As your fa-thers did, so do you. 52 (CY)Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who an-nounced beforehand the coming of (CZ)the Righteous One, (DA)whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law (DB)as delivered by angels and (DC)did not keep it.”

54 Now when they heard these things (DD)they were en-raged, and they (DE)ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, (DF)full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw (DG)the glory of God, and Jesus standing (DH)at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see (DI)the heavens opened, and (DJ)the Son of Man standing (DK)at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together[b] at him. 58 Then (DL)they cast him out of the city and (DM)stoned him. And (DN)the wit-nesses laid down their garments (DO)at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, (DP)he called out, “Lord Jesus, (DQ)receive my spirit.” 60 And (DR)falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, (DS)“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, (DT)he fell asleep.

a ruler and judge over us?’ Through the angel who ap-peared to him in the burning bush, God sent Moses to be their ruler and savior. 36 And by means of many wonders and miraculous signs, he led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness for forty years.

37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’ 38 Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life-giving words to pass on to us.

39 “But our ancestors refused to listen to Moses. They re-jected him and wanted to return to Egypt. 40 They told

Aaron, ‘Make us some gods who can lead us, for we don’t know what has become of this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt.’ 41 So they made an idol shaped like a calf, and they sacrificed to it and celebrated over this thing they had made. 42 Then God turned away from them and abandoned them to serve the stars of heaven as their gods! In the book of the prophets it is written,

‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?43 No, you carried your pagan gods— the shrine of Molech, the star of your god Rephan, and the images you made to worship them.So I will send you into exile as far away as Babylon.’

44 “Our ancestors carried the Tabernacle with them through the wilderness. It was constructed according to the plan God had shown to Moses. 45 Years later, when Joshua led our ancestors in battle against the nations that God drove out of this land, the Tabernacle was taken with them into their new territory. And it stayed there until the time of King David.

46 “David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon who actually built it. 48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,

49 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.Could you build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord.‘Could you build me such a resting place?50 Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?’

51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf


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to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53 You de-liberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusa-tion, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in

the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, re-ceive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Footnotes:a Acts 7:46 Some manuscripts for the house of Ja-cobb Acts 7:57 Or rushed with one mind

Cross references:A. Acts 7:2 : ch. 22:1B. Acts 7:2 : [Gen. 15:7; Josh. 24:3; Neh. 9:7]C. Acts 7:2 : Ps. 29:3; [1 Cor. 2:8; James 2:1]D. Acts 7:2 : Gen. 11:31E. Acts 7:3 : Cited from Gen. 12:1F. Acts 7:4 : [See ver. 2 above]; Gen. 11:31G. Acts 7:4 : Gen. 11:32H. Acts 7:4 : Gen. 12:4, 5I. Acts 7:5 : Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 17:8; 48:4;

Heb. 11:8, 9J. Acts 7:5 : Gen. 15:3; 18:10K. Acts 7:6 : Cited from Gen. 15:13, 14L. Acts 7:6 : [Ex. 2:22; Heb. 11:9]M. Acts 7:6 : ver. 17; See Ex. 12:40N. Acts 7:7 : [Jer. 25:12; 30:20]O. Acts 7:7 : [Ex. 3:12]P. Acts 7:8 : Gen. 17:9-12Q. Acts 7:8 : Gen. 21:2-4R. Acts 7:8 : See Luke 1:59S. Acts 7:8 : Gen. 25:26T. Acts 7:8 : Gen. 29:31-35; 30:5-24; 35:18, 23-

26U. Acts 7:9 : Gen. 37:11V. Acts 7:9 : Gen. 37:28; 45:4; Ps. 105:17W. Acts 7:9 : Gen. 39:2, 21, 23X. Acts 7:10 : Gen. 41:37-40Y. Acts 7:10 : Gen. 41:41, 43, 46; 42:6; Ps.

105:21Z. Acts 7:11 : Gen. 41:54, 55; 42:5; Ps. 105:16AA. Acts 7:12 : Gen. 42:1-3AB Acts 7:13 : Gen. 43:2-15AC Acts 7:13 : Gen. 45:1-4AD Acts 7:13 : Gen. 45:16AE Acts 7:14 : Gen. 45:9, 10, 27AF Acts 7:14 : [Gen. 46:26, 27; Ex. 1:5; Deut. 10:22]AG Acts 7:15 : Gen. 46:5, 28; Ps. 105:23AH Acts 7:15 : Gen. 49:33AI Acts 7:15 : Ex. 1:6AJ Acts 7:16 : Gen. 50:25; Ex. 13:19; Josh. 24:32AK Acts 7:16 : [Gen. 23:16 with Gen. 33:19; Josh. 24:32]AL Acts 7:17 : ver. 5-7AM Acts 7:17 : ch. 13:17; Ex. 1:7, 12; Ps. 105:24

AN Acts 7:18 : Cited from Ex. 1:8AO Acts 7:19 : Ex. 1:9, 10; Ps. 105:25AP Acts 7:19 : Ex. 1:16-18, 22AQ Acts 7:20 : Ex. 2:2; Heb. 11:23AR Acts 7:21 : Ex. 2:3-10AS Acts 7:22 : [Dan. 1:4, 17]AT Acts 7:22 : 1 Kgs. 4:30; [Isa. 19:11]AU Acts 7:22 : [Luke 24:19]AV Acts 7:23 : Ex. 2:11, 12AW Acts 7:26 : Ex. 2:13, 14AX Acts 7:27 : ver. 35; [Luke 12:14]AY Acts 7:29 : Ex. 2:15AZ Acts 7:29 : Ex. 2:22; 18:3, 4BA Acts 7:30 : Ex. 3:2BB Acts 7:30 : [Ex. 3:1]BC Acts 7:32 : Cited from Ex. 3:6BD Acts 7:33 : Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15BE Acts 7:34 : Ex. 3:7BF Acts 7:34 : Ex. 2:24BG Acts 7:34 : Ex. 3:8BH Acts 7:34 : Ex. 3:10BI Acts 7:35 : ver. 27BJ Acts 7:35 : [Ex. 3:2; 14:19; 23:20; Num. 20:16]BK Acts 7:36 : Ex. 12:41; 33:1; Heb. 8:9BL Acts 7:36 : Ex. 7:3BM Acts 7:36 : Ex. 7-12; Ps. 78:43-51; 105:27-36BN Acts 7:36 : Ex. 14:21, 27-31; Ps. 78:53; 106:9BO Acts 7:36 : Ex. 16:1, 35; 17:1-6; Ps. 78:15BP Acts 7:36 : ver. 42; ch. 13:18; Ex. 16:35; Num. 14:33, 34; Ps. 95:10; Heb. 3:9, 17BQ Acts 7:37 : ch. 3:22; Cited from Deut. 18:15BR Acts 7:38 : Ex. 19:3, 17, 18BS Acts 7:38 : [ver. 53; Isa. 63:9]BT Acts 7:38 : Deut. 5:27, 31; 33:4; See John 1:17BU Acts 7:38 : [Deut. 32:47]BV Acts 7:38 : Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1 Pet. 4:11BW Acts 7:39 : Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:4, 5; 14:3, 4; Ezek. 20:8, 24BX Acts 7:40 : Cited from Ex. 32:1, 23BY Acts 7:41 : Ex. 32:4-6, 35; Deut. 9:16; Ps. 106:19BZ Acts 7:41 : Amos 6:13CA Acts 7:41 : Isa. 2:8; Jer. 1:16; 25:6, 7CB Acts 7:42 : [Josh. 24:20; Isa. 63:10]CC Acts 7:42 : Ps. 81:12; Ezek. 20:39; Rom. 1:28CD Acts 7:42 : Deut. 4:19; 2 Kgs. 17:16; 21:3; 23:5; Jer. 19:13; Zeph. 1:5CE Acts 7:42 : Cited from Amos 5:25-27CF Acts 7:42 : See ver. 36

CG Acts 7:43 : See 1 Kgs. 11:7CH Acts 7:44 : Rev. 15:5; See Ex. 38:21CI Acts 7:44 : See Ex. 25:40CJ Acts 7:45 : Josh. 3:14-17CK Acts 7:45 : Num. 32:5; Deut. 32:49CL Acts 7:45 : ch. 13:19; Josh. 3:10; 23:9; 24:18; 2 Chr. 20:7CM Acts 7:45 : 2 Sam. 7:1CN Acts 7:46 : ch. 13:22; 1 Sam. 16:1; Ps. 89:19CO Acts 7:46 : 1 Kgs. 8:17; 1 Chr. 22:7; Ps. 132:5CP Acts 7:46 : [Gen. 49:24; Isa. 49:26]CQ Acts 7:47 : 2 Sam. 7:13; 1 Kgs. 6:1, 2; 8:20; 2 Chr. 3:1CR Acts 7:48 : [1 Kgs. 8:27; 2 Chr. 2:6]CS Acts 7:48 : ch. 17:24CT Acts 7:49 : [Ps. 11:4]CU Acts 7:49 : Matt. 5:34, 35; Cited from Isa. 66:1, 2CV Acts 7:51 : Deut. 10:16; See Ex. 32:9CW Acts 7:51 : Lev. 26:41; Jer. 6:10; 9:26; Ezek. 44:7, 9CX Acts 7:51 : Mal. 3:7CY Acts 7:52 : 1 Kgs. 19:10; 2 Chr. 36:16; Jer. 2:30; Matt. 23:31, 37; See Matt. 5:12; 21:35CZ Acts 7:52 : See ch. 3:14DA Acts 7:52 : See ch. 5:28DB Acts 7:53 : Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2; [ver. 38; Deut. 33:2]DC Acts 7:53 : John 7:19DD Acts 7:54 : ch. 5:33; [ch. 2:37]DE Acts 7:54 : Job 16:9; Ps. 35:16; 37:12DF Acts 7:55 : ch. 6:5DG Acts 7:55 : Ex. 24:16; Luke 2:9; John 12:41DH Acts 7:55 : Ps. 110:1; See Mark 16:19DI Acts 7:56 : See John 1:51DJ Acts 7:56 : See Dan. 7:13DK Acts 7:56 : [See ver. 55 above]; Ps. 110:1; See Mark 16:19DL Acts 7:58 : Lev. 24:14-16; Num. 15:35; 1 Kgs. 21:13; [Luke 4:29; Heb. 13:12]DM Acts 7:58 : Matt. 21:35; 23:37; Heb. 11:37DN Acts 7:58 : ch. 6:13; [Deut. 13:9, 10; 17:7]DO Acts 7:58 : ch. 8:1; 22:20; [ch. 22:4]DP Acts 7:59 : ch. 9:14DQ Acts 7:59 : Ps. 31:5; Luke 23:46DR Acts 7:60 : ch. 9:40; 20:36; 21:5; Luke 22:41; Eph. 3:14DS Acts 7:60 : See Matt. 5:44DT Acts 7:60 : See Matt. 27:52

OPTIONAL: STUDY HELP QUESTIONS:1. Stephen’s persecutors have accused him of teaching in opposition to the place of God’s presence, the

temple (6:13-14). How does Stephen answer their charge in his response?2. They have also accused him of detracting from the Law of Moses (6:13-14). How is this charge answered

in Stephen’s response?




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3. What are the charges that Stephen raises against the Jews?4. What is the significance of Stephen quoting Daniel 7:13 (v.56)? What is Stephen saying about Jesus?5. What does this passage teach you about God?6. What does this passage teach you about yourself?


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☐ Job 41☐ Job 42☐ Exodus 1☐ Exodus 2☐ Exodus 3☐ Exodus 4



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PRAYER JOURNALfor my family, friends, church, community…

Date Item of prayer Date an-swered


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Documents

· Web view1 (A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and (C)the Word was with God, and (D)the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 (E)All things were made through him,