Edgewood Bible Church

Big Idea: When God-given means become self-exalting ends, faithful men become martyrs.
1. (6.8-15) Stephen accused: You want to destroy the temple and change the law2. (7:1-53) Stephen’s defense: God is never confined, you resist his spirit 3. (7:54-60) Stephen’s Sentence: Public Stoning in false Zeal because of true testimony
Discussion Questions:1. What practices or “good things” in our church life today are in danger of slipping from means to ends, and how can we guard against that shift?
2. Stephen charges the council with always resisting the Spirit (7:51). What are practical signs that we might be resisting the Spirit’s leading in our own lives?
3. Saul watched Stephen die and later became Paul. How does this long-range impact of Stephen’s witness encourage us when our own faithfulness seems fruitless or costly? Share examples where perseverance eventually bore unexpected fruit.

Main idea: A rightly ordered church will preserve unity and foster growth.
1. Growing churches will have conflict2. Growing churches will have opportunities to serve3. Growing church will have leaders who lead
Discussion Questions:1.What are the dangers of assuming motives versus stating facts in church conflict?2. How can you personally contribute to the unity of the church?3. How can we practically protect and prioritize the preaching of the Word and prayer?4. Why is Christ's sacrificial death the ultimate motivation for serving others?

Main idea: Obeying God will result in more persecution but always ends in joy.
1. Obeying God instead of men will result in envy2. Obeying God instead of men might result in death3. Obeying God instead of men will result in persecution
Discussion Questions:1. What does it mean to obey God rather than men in your current context (work, school, family, etc.)?2. Why is it significant that Peter mentions both repentance and forgiveness of sins as gifts given by the exalted Jesus?3. What might it look like for a Christian today to obey God rather than men—especially when there’s real cost involved?4. When persecution or opposition arises, is your natural response fear, silence, compromise—or joy?

Main idea: True unity in the Spirit results in a true reputation
1. Barnabas—Son of encouragement
2. Ananias and Sapphira—Children of Hypocrisy
Discussion Questions:
1. What do we learn about Barnabas in this passage?
2. What parallels can we draw between the early church's practices and how we can pursue unity in the church today?
3. What was the real sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
4. The sermon pointed out that the real marvel in this story is not just God’s judgment but also His mercy to us in Christ. How does the gospel give us hope, even in the face of our own sin?

Big Idea: Faith fuels boldness by the Spirit to proclaim the name of Jesus.
1. (v.1-4)The Spirit gives boldness… in the face of opposition
2. (v. 5-22)The Spirit gives boldness… no matter your station
3 (v.23-31) The Spirt gives boldness to…pray for more boldness 
Discussion Questions
1. How have you seen God use opposition in your own life—to advance the gospel?
2. Why is the exclusivity of Jesus still a stumbling block today, and how can we communicate this truth with both conviction and compassion?
3. Where do you feel least qualified to speak about Christ, and how does the Spirit’s filling (4:8, 31) reshape that sense of inadequacy?
4. What might change in our prayers—and our expectations—if we prioritized bold witness over comfort or security?

Big Idea: The name of Jesus brings healing, truth, and salvation.
1. The name of Jesus brings healing for the broken (v.1-10)
2. The name of Jesus brings truth for the ignorant (v.11-18)
3. The name of Jesus brings salvation and refreshment (v.19-26)
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to act or pray “in the name of Jesus”?
2. How does the healing of the lame man demonstrate the gospel message—not just physically but spiritually?
3. Peter confronts the people’s ignorance and calls them to repentance (vv. 17–19). Why is willful ignorance so dangerous?
4. What kind of “refreshing” does repentance bring (v. 20)?

Main idea: A healthy church loves teaching, fellowship, communion, and praying together.
A healthy church loves teaching
A healthy church loves fellowship
A healthy church loves communion
A healthy church loves praying together
Discussion Questions:
1. What does the repeated phrase “the word of God increased and multiplied” suggest about how the church grows?
2. How does the biblical definition of fellowship (koinonia) differ from how we often use the word today?
3. Why is it important for the church to be intentional about meeting together for meals in homes, not just for formal gatherings?
4. Why is praying with and for others in your local church essential to spiritual unity and growth?

Main idea: The coming of the Holy Spirit brings together a people through the power of preaching.
The Coming of the Holy SpiritThe Preaching powered by the Holy SpiritThe Repentance because of the Holy Spirit
Discussion Questions:1. What does this passage teach us about God’s heart for the nations and the global mission of the church?2. What does it mean to “call upon the name of the Lord”? How would you explain that to someone unfamiliar with Christian faith?3. Why is it important for us to understand that Jesus’ death was not a mistake or miscalculation?4. What is the difference between repentance, regret, and remorse? How can we know if we’ve truly repented?

Main idea:  Man is God’s method to reach the world. 
The Classroom of God - v.1-11The 12th Man - v.12-26
Discussion Questions:1. What is the significance of the name “Theophilus”? How might it shape how we read Luke and Acts?2. What does it mean that “man is God’s method” for spreading the Gospel? How should that impact how we live?3. What comfort should we draw from knowing Jesus is our High Priest who intercedes for us right now?4. In your own life, can you share a time when God asked you to wait? How did it shape your faith?5. Why do we no longer cast lots to know God's will? How can believers seek God's guidance today?

Main idea: Resurrection morning gives us a new relationship of peace with God through belief in Jesus Christ.
A New Morning vv. 1-10A New Relationship vv. 11-18A New Peace vv. 19-23A New Belief vv. 24-31
Discussion questions:1.How would you explain the significance of the resurrection to someone who has never heard the story before?2. What does it mean to you personally that you can call God your Father in the same way Jesus does?3. What does this say about how Jesus pursues us in our fear or doubt?4. What comfort does it bring to know that Jesus sees and understands us even in our doubts and questions?