These studies will be expository, devotional, practical and varied, and this is an introduction to the whole book. Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a. The book of acts is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his orbit and. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies. Marked as a galilean by his marked as a galilean by his accent matt. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. Written by luke, the book of acts has a prominent missionary theme because it details the rapid growth of the early church and the first missionary efforts. Denny miller at the assemblies of god school of theology in lilongwe, malawi.
Jesus had shown himself alive by many proofs for 40 days. The book of acts is unlike any other biblical book. The first volume, the gospel of luke, shows as luke says, all that jesus began to do and teach. If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a. Luke wrote his gospel and also the book of acts compare luke 1. It is suggested that the student, in addition to his or her regular course of study, make it their goal to read the entire book of acts at least twice, from start to finish. Acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles. The book of acts is unique because it is the only book of church history in the new testament.
In 30 ad, all of israel was gathered in jerusalem to celebrate this feast of. The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life. Sproul was the founding pastor of saint andrews chapel in sanford, fla. Acts continues from there on starting with christs resurrection. Carroll and wilson have taken their successful acts of teaching into the 21st century with this totally revised second edition. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. Based on the idea that the purpose of acts was not to make christianity acceptable to the roman state, but rather to preserve the integrity of the church and protect it from the onslaughts of classical culture, this astute commentary combines the latest findings in lukan scholarship with the pastoral, educational, and theological concerns of the local church. It provides a record of the early rain outpouring of the spirit. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Reader can be downloaded by clicking on the icon on the left the outlines below were taught by dr. The book of acts sunday school lesson series january 2, 2011 by kelly henderson take your students on a journey through the book of acts where they will learn lessons from the early church after jesus ascended to heaven and believers received the gift of the holy spirit.
Workbook on the book of acts the church of christ in. Each study is designed to first teach the leaders the passage and then provide them with questions they can use to lead their group through a process of selfdiscovered learning. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel.
Luke described to theophilus in his first letter about jesus life up to the resurrection. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1. It provides us a glimpse of and stirs our faith in regard to what god wants to do in the church today. It is a classic example of preaching as defined in the earlier post. Luke had written to him before and had told him about the things that jesus did and taught. The new testament without acts leaves a great, yawning gap. Peter is not mentioned in acts after the account of the council.
In many ways acts is the most exciting book in the new testament because it is full of movement and interest. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. Although many would suggest other titles, this one has merit because. Preaching through the bible chapters 68 choosing of the seven, and preaching two of them. The gospels matthew, mark, luke, and john describe the life and ministry of jesus christ when he was in the flesh, while much of the rest of the new testament is made up of letters written by the apostles to the early church after the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of jesus. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you. The study of acts is a challenge partly because of its length. Various titles have been suggested such as the acts of the apostles and the acts of the holy spirit. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. In order to ascertain the purpose of the book of acts, we must start with the realization that acts is the second part of a two part work. As stringer says, when all the people in a group agree to the words of the one who is leading them in prayer, his voice is the voice of the group. What conclusion do you reach about who wrote the book of acts. Key features of books in this series are introductory chapters, suggestions for the bible teacher working a text into sermon or talk, suggested preachingteaching outline, and a detailed bible study.
Activities for the book of acts orthodox church in. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Provide language edition bibles so students can read the focal passage in their native languages. Comprehensive, innovative, and practical, and with forewords by two of the most noted scholars in the field, janet emig and edmund j. There are commentaries, and there are books on preachingbut very few books that are specifically geared to the preacher or bible teacher tackling a series on a bible book or doctrinal theme. The book of acts has 1,007 verses in the king james version. While maintaining the best of acts, acts ii moves the paradigm into the global age. Bible study tips for the book of acts unlocking the bible. A 45day devotional and applicational study of the book of acts. Teaching acts unlocking the book of acts for the bible teacher david cook series editors. Adult bible study in simplified english teaching guide the book of acts. Now the second volume, acts, will detail jesus continuing work through his apostles that he had chosen and the work of the holy spirit who would be. Although there are 38 chapters of acts, the book has no written conclusion. They contain the course syllabus along with complete outlines for each lesson.
Since the book of acts is the continuation of the gospel account of all jesus began to do and teach, it catalogs what jesus continued to do and teach through the holy spirit. The regular times of teaching were often done in the homes of followers of jesus, and were usually accompanied by a meal and prayer acts 2. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. All who are in the group lift up their voice through him. This video explains the transitional book that is the book of acts, and how it starts with jews to jews, and slowly changes to gentiles, as the jewish nation as a.
We know the first part of this work as the gospel of luke. Acts is a tough book to teach, but vital to the church in every generation. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played. Without acts, the actions of the early church would be unknown to us except for a few facts we could glean from the writings of paul. A better title for this book is the acts of the holy spirit and because of this the book of acts is an unfinished book. Pdf versions of past issue contents, and encourage them to request.
As you do make a list of major themes that are frequently mentioned in the book. The book of acts this is a 50 page bible study for the acts of the apostles. The acts of the apostles church leadership resources. It gives us a description of much that god is restoring. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it howson. The following teaching outlines can be downloaded for free in pdf printready format. A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 10 acts 2 the day of pentecost in the old testament, our day of pentecost was called the feast of weeks, or the feast of harvest, or the day of first fruits. The book begins with the ascension of jesus into heaven acts 1. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. Amazing grace leads to amazing growth suggestions for teaching general suggestions 1. Acts is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e.
Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. It is the story of how god uses weak human vessels to implement his eternal purposes. Holy spirit to warn paul concerning his arrest in jerusalem acts 21. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. Bradd words in boldboldbold and underlined are the answers to the blanks on the acts study guides acts 1 the book of acts was written by luke to a man named theophilus. The author of the acts of the apostles is luke, the beloved physician, who traveled with paul. This book is titled the acts of the apostles, or more literally acts of apostles. A scholarly interpretation of the book of acts from a missionary and pentecostal perspective. Download and print free pdfs of christian reflection past issues, study guides. Standing between the gospels and the epistles, the book of acts is a bridge between the life of jesus and the ministry of the apostle paul. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Whether you are a preacher, a small group leader or youth worker, these books will give you the necessary tools for teaching.
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