7 Themes Through the Book of Acts

 

Theme #1 is Obedience in the Ordinary…

Acts 3:1… 3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple for the time of prayer at three in the afternoon

Acts 6:4… “4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 8:26 – 27… 26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.[d]) 27 So he got up and went. 

#1 - Where have you underestimated ordinary obedience?

#2 – What “small yes” did God use more than you expected?

 

Theme #2  - Preparation before Comfort…

Acts 10: 9 – 16

9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon.[b] 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”

15 Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” 16 This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

Acts 10: 19 – 20…

19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”

Acts 11: 15 – 17…

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but

 

#1 – Where has God been stretching you before settling you?

#2 – What preparation made sense only in hindsight?

 

Theme #3 – Faithfulness under pressure

Acts 7: 55 – 60…

55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. 58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.

Acts 8: 1 – 4…

8 Saul agreed with putting him to death.

On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 

Acts 12: 5

“5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.”

#1 – Where did pressure, hardship or opposition refine your faith?

#2 – How did hardship reshape faithfulness?

 

Theme #4 – Evidence, Not Opinion…

Acts 11:  1 – 4…

11 The apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Peter began to explain to them step by step,

Acts 10: 44 – 47

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[f] and declaring the greatness of God.

Acts 4: 19 – 20…

19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

#1 – What evidence of God’s work do you see in your life?

#2 – What testimony are you carrying forward?

 

Theme #5 – Community is not Optional…

Acts 2: 44 – 47…

44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number[l] those who were being saved.

Acts 4: 32…

2 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 

#1 – How has community mattered this year?

#2 – What keeps you from engaging fully?

 

Theme # 6 – Steadfastness over Striving…

 

Acts 1:4…

4 While he was[a] with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about;

Acts 8:4

4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.

Acts 2: 42

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

#1 – If someone watched how you handled pressure this year, what would they learn about your faith?

#2 – What practice or rhythm helped you remain steadfast when motivation was low?

 

And Theme # 7 – Surrender vs. Control…

Acts 9: 4 – 6

4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said.

“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9: 8 – 9…

8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

Acts 13: 2 – 3

2 As they were worshiping[a] the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.

 

#1 – What does surrender look like practically?

#2 – Where did God confront your need for control?