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Introduction and Prayer

• Read Acts 1:8 (out loud) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

What are the two things that happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon us?

• Pray


Read Acts 3:1

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.

• Why were disabled people brought to the temple?


Read Acts 3:3-4

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.

This man was asking for money, but God was going to heal him. How often do you find yourselves praying small prayers?

Why do we usually pray small prayers and only ask for what is naturally possible?


Read Acts 3:6

6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

How would you respond if God asked you to do something difficult?

Why is it important that Peter said in the name of Jesus?


Read Acts 3:7-8

7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Since this was from birth, how likely is it that this man would have been paralyzed for years but then instantly could walk? Is it improbable or impossible?

What would have happened if the man didn’t try to get up?

How does improbable vs impossible affect our prayers?

What is the first thing this man does after being healed?

Is our worship dependent on what happens when we pray?

Name some Bible characters who praised God in spite of difficulty.


Read Acts 3:9-13a

9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.“People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.

What did the crowd do when they witnessed the power of God in this man’s life?

What is Peter trying to accomplish with his opening statement?


Read Acts 3:13b-16

This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! 16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

Why does Peter retell the details of the Jesus’ crucifixion?

What is Peter claiming healed the man?

How can faith the name of Jesus heal a person?

Has the power in the name of Jesus changed since the time of Acts?

Why does the Church around this world still experience these miracles but we see so few in America?

How often do we have to have faith that God will provide our next meal? Or our medical care?


Think on This…

How might your life be different, if you didn’t have access to resources and you had to trust in God for your basic needs to be met?

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