Here are additional questions for your individual or group study. The chapters below correspond to the chapters in Acts: Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 1
- What are some similarities between Acts and Luke’s Gospel?
- What are some differences between Acts and Luke’s Gospel?
- Why do you think Luke wrote Acts? Try to give more than one reason.
Chapter 2
- Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Describe what happened. (Note: A miracle doesn’t have to be instantaneous.)
- Read Acts 3:19. In the NIV this verse reads: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Do you feel spiritually refreshed? If you don’t, why not? Do you really believe God has “wiped out” all your sins, or do you think you will still have to pay for some of the things you have done?
- What difference does it make to know that God wipes away all your sins? How should this change the way you live?
Chapter 3
- Review Kent Hughes’ three-step method for dealing with deception (p. 39). List them like you would write a “to do” list. Now evaluate your life and see if there is any deception you need to deal with.
- How seriously does God take sin? What happens when we underestimate how much God hates sin?
- Reflect on Acts 6:4. How important is prayer in the life of the believer? What practical steps can you take to make more room for prayer?
Chapter 4
- Notice how well Stephen knows the story of God’s work among His people (including the key Scriptures). As you witness to people, what are three highlights about God’s story that you could share?
- What other significance can you find in Stephen’s vision of Jesus standing at God’s right hand rather than sitting?
- Read Acts 7:58. What does this tell you about Saul?
Chapter 5
- What kind of “magic” or “sorcery” is present in our world today? Why are people so easily swayed by those who claim to have supernatural powers? How do you know when something supernatural is not from God?
- Review the guidelines for witnessing on pages 64-65. Where are you deficient? Where are you strong?
- Have you ever had to “suffer” for your faith? What happened? Do you ever wonder if you may have to suffer for your faith in the future? Are you ready?
Chapter 6
- It’s been said that the most segregated places are our churches. If God doesn’t make any ethnic, culture, or societal distinctions, why do Christians often persist in doing so?
- What can you do to help break down the walls that divide us?
Chapter 7
- All names have meanings. What is the meaning and the history of your name? Are you living up to your name?
- In Acts 14:15, Paul discourages people from worshipping him. What lesson can you learn from this? Why is it important to keep your accomplishments in perspective? What happens when you accept the glory and accolades people sometimes want to give you?
- What or who is the “door of faith” in Acts 14:27? Explain.
Chapter 8
- Why is legalism like a “yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear”? (You may want to look of the word “yoke”in the dictionary.)
- Have you aver been caught in a “performance trap”? How did you break free? If you’re in one now, how can you break free?
- What are some other “minor” doctrinal issues that are not set in stone? What are some other “major” doctrinal issues that cannot be compromised?
Chapter 9
- Give a definition of the Trinity. What is the role of each of these Persons in your salvation?
- God
- Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- Demons still exist and still oppose the work of God in the world. Can you think of an example where demons may be working today?
- In Acts 17:22, Paul calls the people “very religious.” The Greek word for this is translated “superstitious,” in the sense that they worship many gods and fear the possibility of offending them. Do you know any “religious” people who could be defined this way? How could you share your faith in such a way that would give them a different picture of the one true God?
Chapter 10
- What practical things can you do to keep your life open to the influence of the Holy Spirit?
- Paul was not a loner. He was a team player. He invested himself in the lives of others, and he surrounded himself with others who shared his passion for ministry. How about you? Are you a team player as you work for God? If not, what could you do to get involved with others in ministry?
Chapter 11
- When it comes to the church and unity, sometimes it may be wise to act in a certain way or adopt certain customs in order to identify with particular groups of people—as long as your actions or appearance don’t contradict your faith. Why is it important to relate to people in order to preserve the unity of the church?
- Paul had certain privileges as a Roman citizen. What privileges do you have as a citizen of heaven?
Chapter 12
- Tertullus called Paul a “troublemaker” (Acts 24:5). Literally, this means a “plague” or “pestilence,” as in someone who carries a disease and infects others. By this definition, should Christians be troublemakers in society? Why or why not?
- Paul told Felix about “the judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). Why are we afraid to talk with people about God’s coming judgment? Are we doing them a favor by not talking about judgment?
- When we witness to people, it’s critical that we explain why Jesus had to die for our sins. Why is it equally important to explain that Jesus rose from the dead?
Chapter 13
- Why does God allow us to go through storms?
- What negative circumstances were against Paul as he shared his faith in Rome? What circumstances are against you as you share your faith? What can you do to overcome them?