Source: Open Doors USA

How much resistance or persecution have you experienced from the government, community, workplace, or family, when talking about your faith ? If you have experienced relatively little resistance or persecution, why? Is it because you haven't talked about your faith, or is it because the environment is relatively friendly to faith discussions? The reality is, when we do share our faith and meet with some type of resistance, God is right there with us. He doesn't abandon us or His mission. This is the focus or our Explore the Bible study: Extraordinary.

The Apostle Peter didn't live in a place that was friendly to the gospel. When he was imprisoned for sharing his faith, God not only worked in his life but through the lives of the early church in extraordinary ways. We can learn from Peter's experience that we can share our faith, no matter what life throws at us. God will be with us, even if the results lead to persecution; God is still at work through us.

Teaching Ideas
LOOK UP: Getting focused on the text.

• Display: Government; Community; Workplace; Family
• Survey (Once most adults have arrived): On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the greatest, how would you rank the amount of resistance or persecution you have experienced in these situations (refer to displayed situations).
• Discuss: How did you rank each situation? What kind of difficulties in each situation do you encounter as a believer?

Acts 12:7-10

• What would be going through your mind if you were Peter?
• If you were startled from a deep sleep, would you have thought the same thing Peter thought, that it was a vision or a dream?
• What does it say about Peter’s faith that he was sleeping so soundly the night before his scheduled execution?
• Read & Discuss: Acts 12:5 - What does this communicate to you regarding the importance of praying for those who are facing persecution? Do you personally know individuals who are facing persecution? Consider how many people for whom you are currently praying, who are facing or could potentially face persecution because of their faith; are there individuals you need to add to your prayer list?
• While Peter was delivered, how do we reconcile the fact that some may not be delivered when we pray? (It is not always God’s will to miraculously deliver His faithful servants.)

Acts 12:11-12

• Why do you suppose Peter went to John Mark's house instead of fleeing the city?
• How would you feel if you knew people were gathered together praying for you?

Acts 12:13-17

• What do you see in this account that is humorous?
• While humorous, what does the people’s reaction indicate about their expectations from their prayers?
• Why are we sometimes skeptical when God works in unexpected ways?
• If they didn’t believe Peter had been released what do you suppose they were praying about?
• Considering all Peter had just been through, why did he instruct the group to tell James and other brothers about this instead of keeping it quiet? What does this communicate to us regarding what we should do when God works through us or others to further the gospel?

Acts 12:18-19

• How would you characterize the response to Peter’s escape?
• Did any of them at this point consider Peter’s escape as a supernatural act?
• How would you have liked to have been one of the guards in this story?!
• Read: Acts 12:20-23 - God allowed Peter to escape from Herod’s prison because He had additional plans for Peter’s ministry. Jesus, however, predicted that when Peter was old he would be bound and die a martyr’s death (John 21:18-19). Tradition records that Peter was executed during the reign of Nero (perhaps A.D. 64 or 65). Tradition also claims he was crucified upside down because he did not consider himself to be worthy of crucifixion in the same position as Jesus.

LOOK OUT: Responding to the text.

• What can we learn from Peter’s experience of being jailed for sharing the gospel and his deliverance out of difficult circumstances?
• What can we learn from those who were praying for Peter?
• What can we learn about God’s will from those who tried to stop Peter?

Optional Videos:

• Open Doors World Watch List 2016 
• Stories of Christian Persecution| Susan in Uganda

Emphasize: Opposition to Christianity has never stopped. To this day, people’s faith is being challenged all around the world. When we share the Good News of the gospel with others, it is often frowned upon. But because of our mission to make disciples (Matthew 28:19), to be witnesses (Acts 1:8), and because we have been given the Holy Spirit to empower, guide, and teach us, we can’t stop. It is our mission.

While some believers may suffer martyrdom, others may experience miraculous deliverance. Peter’s story should encourage us to be bold in our witness, knowing that our efforts are always accompanied by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Reflect and Respond:

• At the beginning I asked you to rank the amount of resistance or persecution you have experienced when talking about your faith in these situations (refer to displayed situations).
• Now I want you to consider why you haven’t met any resistance. Is it because you aren’t openly sharing your belief in Jesus Christ and looking for opportunities to witness to others? Or, is it because you have an environment that allows you the freedom to share without opposition?
• Based on your response, what do you need to do differently regarding sharing your faith with others?

Striking out is never fun. When we watched our two boys play little league baseball, it was always heartbreaking to see them strike out. What's even more heartbreaking is when a church is striking out with guests. I recently read an article that reminded me of the importance of continually thinking about how we treat guests.

As I read pastor David Tarkington's article, A Swing and a Miss . . . When Your Church Strikes Out with Guests, I felt compelled to evaluate whether my church was striking out with guests. Maybe his story will help you as well:
I pray Pastor David's story will remind us all of the importance of building authentic relationships, not only with guests, but with new members as well. People are looking for friendly churches; they are looking for friends.

May we take on the Apostle Paul's challenge in Romans 12:10, "Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Read Pastor David's complete article: A Swing and a Miss...When Your Church Strikes Out with Guests - davidtarkington.com

While Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) was the most significant movement of God for the church, there was another Pentecost-type experience that was equally significant. It was when God opened the eyes of the Jews to the clear message that the gospel was for everyone who would believe - both Jews and Gentiles! The ground was truly level at the foot of the cross! This is the focus of Explore the Study Bible study: Accepting.
When you read Acts 10:1-48, keep in mind that God demonstrated that the same gospel, same power, same Holy Spirit, same work that was experienced by the Jews at Pentecost could and should take place among the Gentiles as well.

Here are some ideas you might find helpful when guiding your discussion:

LOOK UP: Getting focused on the text.

Opening Discussion

• Do you spend more time on your front porch or in your backyard?
• Do you have a privacy fence around your backyard?
• Would you say that you are more isolated from your neighbors than you were while growing up?
• Why are we more isolated from our neighbors and others?
• Would we consider our desire for isolation as a protective barrier?

The Point: Barriers, walls, or fences are usually created for protection or privacy, but what it leads to is isolation. And in that isolation we begin to form views and opinions about those outside that hinder us from being witnesses. We might build barriers around our homes, but language, religion, skin color, education, and social standing are other barriers that lead to isolation. Acts 1:8 could only be fulfilled by a group that was willing to move beyond barriers. Otherwise, they would become isolated and the cause of Christ would eventually die. This wasn’t God’s design or expectation for the church. If they didn’t overcome barriers, then you or I would not be a part of God’s Kingdom today!

LOOK IN: Unpacking the text.

Acts 10:9-16

• What was Peter’s response to God? (“No, Lord”; Peter had a habit of telling God “no” – see Mt. 16:22, John 13:8)
• How many times did God repeat the command?
• Can you recall other times when God had to speak to Peter in this manner? (See John 21:16-17)
• On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most important, how would you rate the importance of what God was trying to teach Peter?
• Peter had just experienced the raising of Tabitha from the dead, and now he is saying no to God. She was unclean as a person who had been dead; yet Peter took her by the hand (Acts 9:41). With this in mind, why was it so difficult for Peter to obey God at this point?
• What did God mean when He said, “What God has made clean, you must not call common”? (In Old Testament thinking, there was the holy and the common. The holy was made common when it came into contact with something common, and could only be made holy again through a ritual cleansing. God had pronounced what was common as clean.)

Acts 10:17-43 (Expanded verses from the ETB Outline)

• How did Peter’s attitude toward the Gentiles change ? What actions demonstrate this?
• How did he treat the Gentile crowd?
• What elements of the gospel did Peter present?
• What would have happened if he had come to them with an arrogant heart?

Acts 10:44-46a

• How is this similar to Pentecost (See Acts 2:1-4)? What message would this communicate to the believing Jews who were present?

Acts 10:46b-48

• What actions did Peter take? Why was it important that he stay and help them in this way?

LOOK OUT: Responding to the text.

• What personal barriers that have been taught to you, prevent you from witnessing to people who are different from you?
• Can you identify walls or barriers that prevent you from fellowshipping with true believers who might be different from you?
• What actions can you take to remove these walls and barriers?
• What barriers in our church keep us from being witnesses to people in our community?
• Take the initiative to expand your relationships at church and through your group. Reach out to those who may feel excluded.

The shift by Jewish Christians to accept Gentile believers was difficult. Peter’s experience helped to convince many, but the issue would resurface again in the future. God was tearing down the walls that separated Jewish and Gentile believers, and the message was clear: the gospel was to be taken to all people and “everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:43).

Who are your favorite superheroes? I love watching the new Agents of Shield series and the Captain America movies. Whether they wear a cape or perform amazing feats, superheroes are known for taking bold actions. But bold action isn't just for superheroes. As believers we are called to take bold action when being witnesses. While we don't possess super powers, we can see God work in amazing ways as we take the initiative to join Him in His mission to share the gospel. Our Explore the Bible study, Bold, takes a look at this topic as we examine two extraordinary individuals - The Apostle Peter and Tabitha (Dorcas).

As we look at how Peter responded to a grieving community of believers and learn about the reputation of Tabitha (Dorcas), let’s consider how we should continue to boldly respond to needs around us for the sake of the gospel.



LOOK UP: Getting focused on the text
I have provided two options.

Option One: PowerPoint pictures of superheroes. Use it to guide the group to identify the superheroes and to describe their powers. Click here for PowerPoint.

Option Two: Superhero quiz. Guide the group to guess the following superhero based on the description.

• Avengers Assemble. (Captain America)
• Cowabunga. (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
• Go Joes! (G.I. Joe)
• Here I come to Save the Day. (Mighty Mouse)
• I am Diana, princess of the Amazons. (Wonder Woman)
• I’m the fastest man alive. (The Flash)
• There’s no need to fear; _______________ is here. (Underdog)
• Shazam. (Captain Marvel)
• Sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them. (X-Men)
• The Caped Crusader (Batman)
• The Emerald Crusader. (Green Lantern)
• The man without fear. (Daredevil)
• Up, up, and away! (Superman)
• With great power comes great responsibility. (Spiderman)
• You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry. (Incredible Hulk)

When someone announces that they have become a Christian, how do we respond? Do we respond with celebration, caution, or skepticism? It most likely depends on how much we know about the person; yet we know we should celebrate every person's profession of faith in Christ. When Saul became a Christian, he too experienced most of these responses but it didn't slow him down. His radical encounter with Jesus changed him forever, and God immediately gave him opportunities to share the gospel. This is the focus of today's Explore the Bible study: Converted.


LOOK UP - Getting focused on the text

I have provided two options.

• One requires you to summarize the testimonies from an article by Christianity Today, Top 10 Testimonies of 2014. After sharing the highpoints of each person's testimony, you discuss with the group whether they would be more accepting or skeptical of the person's testimony.
• The other illustration option is based on a story from the ETB Study Guide: 

Jack grew up in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century. He became an atheist at age 15, convinced there was no place in modern thinking for belief in a supernatural deity. Over the next 15 years, however, he read certain religious works and developed close friendships with two Christian men whose influence helped convince Jack to renounce atheism. At age 33, Jack confessed his faith in Jesus Christ and reconnected with the church of his childhood. 

Who was this man whose conversion caught people by surprise, including—by his own admission—Jack himself? Most people today know him as C. S. Lewis. He was one of the most persuasive Christian apologists of the twentieth century and author of timeless literary works such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity. 

Did this story about C.S. Lewis surprise you? Are we surprised when people who don’t seem to have any interest in God become believers? Are we sometimes skeptical about a person's conversion?

When discussing Acts 9:7-9: Consider using Acts 26:12-15 to offer more explanation regarding what transpired between Jesus and Saul on the road.



Additional Text: Consider going to Ephesians 2:1-9 to help everyone understand how much of a life-changing experience Saul's conversion was and should be for all who receive Christ.

Summarize and apply options:
Nothing is different in Paul’s conversion except the circumstances. Every salvation experience shares the common threads of God’s love in reaching lost men and women. When God saves us He calls us to a purpose designed to help the church be witnesses, and it is the joy of our lives to discover and accomplish that purpose for His glory. Saul committed wholeheartedly to following Christ. He didn’t look back or back off on his commitment. His life was one that changed the course of history. If we profess Christ, then the same Jesus who spoke to Saul speaks to us. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Saul is working in us as well. We can be a part of seeing people’s lives changed through their encounter with Jesus!

• When you see someone who is obviously lost, do you back away or begin praying for an open door to share the gospel? This week, pray about how you can share Jesus even with the Sauls you encounter who are completely satisfied with their lives without Christ.
• Consider how you can help others who have come to Christ to grow in their faith?