The Church Persecuted and Scattered - Acts 8:2-3
Understand It
- Who buried Stephen? (8:2)
- How did the early believers react to Stephen’s martyrdom? (8:2)
- How did Stephen’s sympathizers show that they disapproved of the Sanhedrin’s condemnation of him? (8:2)
- How did Stephen’s mourners show courage at his burial? (8:2)
- How did the godly men mourn for Stephen? (8:2)
- What was happening to the church at this time? (8:2-3)
- Who began to attack the church? How? (8:3)
- Who took a leading role in attacking the early church? (8:3)
- During this period of opposition, what did Saul do? (8:3)
- How were Saul’s actions cruel? (8:3)
- How did the martyrdom of Stephen and the persecution of the church show that Israel had rejected the Messiah? (8:3)
Apply It
- What will most remind you to respond with courage when you are attacked or rejected for your faith in Christ?
- In what setting (at work, at home, in your neighborhood, etc.) can you show courage in identifying with Christ this week? How?
Philip in Samaria - Acts 8:4-8
Understand It
- What were the Christians doing who had been scattered throughout Judea and Samaria? (8:4)
- What happened to the Word of God? (8:4)
- Why was the scattering of Christians a step forward for the church? (8:4-8)
- Who was Philip? (8:5)
- Where did Philip go? (8:5)
- What did Philip do in Samaria? (8:5)
- What did the crowds do in response to Philip’s teaching and miracles? (8:6)
- What miraculous signs did Philip perform? (8:7)
- How did Philip’s work draw attention to his message? (8:6-7)
- Why did the people rejoice? (8:8)
Apply It
- What can you do this week to support or encourage a missionary?
- What is one way you can support your church’s ministry?
- For whom can you pray for healing?
Simon the Sorcerer - Acts 8:9-25
Understand It
- What was Simon’s line of work? (8:9)
- What did Simon talk about? (8:9)
- How did the Samaritans react to Simon’s sorcery? (8:9-11)
- When Philip preached about Christ, what did the people do? (8:12)
- What did Simon do when he heard the gospel? (8:13)
- Why did Peter and John leave Jerusalem and go to Samaria? (8:14)
- What did Peter and John do when they arrived in Samaria? (8:15-17)
- What did Simon want to buy from Peter and John? (8:18-19)
- How did Peter answer Simon’s request? (8:20-23)
- Why did Peter use strong language with Simon? (8:20)
- How did Peter imply that Simon was not a Christian? (8:21-23)
- What was Simon’s attitude in response to Peter? (8:24)
- How did Peter and John’s trip to Samaria influence their trip to Jerusalem? (8:25)
Apply It
- What can you do this week to get to know someone who is from a different ethnic group or culture?
- Whom can you invite from another culture to visit your church? When?
- How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you grow in faith in the coming days?
Philip and the Ethiopian - Acts 8:26-40
Understand It
- What did the angel tell Philip to do? (8:26)
- Whom did Philip meet on the desert road? (8:27)
- What was the eunuch’s position? (8:27)
- Why was the eunuch on his way to Jerusalem to worship? (8:27)
- What was the eunuch doing while he sat in the chariot? (8:28)
- What was the eunuch’s problem? (8:28-34)
- What did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to do? (8:29)
- What did Philip ask the eunuch? (8:30)
- How did the eunuch respond to Philip? (8:31)
- What was the eunuch reading? (8:32-33)
- How did Philip present the good news about Jesus? (8:35)
- What did the eunuch do after he believed in Jesus? (8:36-38)
- What happened to Philip after he baptized the eunuch? (8:39)
- How did believing in Christ affect the eunuch? (8:39)
- What was the eunuch’s attitude as he went on his way? (8:39)
- Where did Philip go to preach? (8:40)
Apply It
- What can you do to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading each day?
- What is one thing you can do this week to overcome fear in witnessing?
- In your Bible study this week, how can you prepare yourself for opportunities to share what you learn?
