Month: February 2016

Jesus’ Promises and Ascension: Acts 1:1-11

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Who is the writer addressing? What is the “former account” that was written for him? (Luke 1:3)
Therefore, who wrote the book of Acts?
Who was this “former account” about? What does it cover?
What event ends the “former account”?
What did Jesus do right before He was taken up?
What did Jesus do after His suffering?
What were some of the “infallible proofs” that He was alive?
What did Jesus command the apostles when He was assembled with them?
What were they to wait for?
What had John baptized with? But, what were the apostles to be baptized with? When?
In response, what question did the apostles ask Jesus?
What was His answer?
Who has authority over the times and seasons?
But, what were the apostles to receive? What would they do as a result?
What were the four places named where the apostles would be a witness of Christ?
At what point was Jesus taken up?
What received Him out of their sight?
How did they look toward heaven?
How many men stood by them? What color were they wearing?
How did the two men address them?
What was the question of the two men?
How was Jesus to return to them?

Thought Questions

Do you think the commands Jesus gave to the apostles through the Holy Spirit at the end of His life on earth apply only to them, or to us as well?
What proofs of Christ’s resurrection would be “infallible” to you? How many people saw Jesus after He was resurrected? (1 Corinthians 15:6) What motive might they have had to all simultaneously invent the story? As we learn more about the acts of the apostles in this book, and what happened to them after Jesus left them personally, be thinking about whether inventing such a story would have been worth it.
What do you think it means to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? Keep that question in mind as we discover further what happened with the apostles.
Why do you think the apostles asked the question that they did in verse 6? Was it a dumb question? Did Jesus treat it as if it were a dumb question?
What can we learn from Jesus’ answer in verse 7? What “times and seasons” do you have difficulty letting God keep in His own authority?
What kind of power do you think the Holy Spirit imparts to people? Would we truly be able to witness throughout the world without it?
How do you think the apostles felt as they saw Jesus disappear into heaven?
How is Jesus supposed to return? Describe His return based on what you just read about His ascension.

My prayer is:
for patience to wait for the times and seasons that God has authority over;
for the baptism of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of witnessing for Christ to others;
a longing for the return of Christ just as He ascended.

Jesus and Peter: John 21:15-25

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After they had eaten breakfast, what did Jesus ask Peter? What was his response?
What did Jesus ask Peter to feed?
What are the differences between the questions and answers in verses 15,16, and 17?
How does Jesus elaborate in verse 18?
What did that mean?
What was Jesus’ one command to Peter at the end of His questioning?
Who did Peter inquire about? What was his question about him?
What was Jesus’ exact response? What, again, did He want Peter to do?
Who does verse 24 say this disciple is?
Was the book of John a second- or thirdhand account?
Do the events in the book of John cover everything Jesus did? What is John’s reasoning?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Peter was singled out for Jesus’ question? Was there anything he needed to repent from?
Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
What is the significance of, “Feed my sheep?” Are we also called to feed His sheep? What does that mean to us?
Does God know the answer to all questions, even whether we love Him or not? Why does He ask Peter then? Why are we called to pray, when God knows our lives and hearts anyway?
Why was Peter grieved that Jesus had asked him this question so many times? Have you ever had a similar experience? What was the outcome?
Do you think Peter understood what Jesus was trying to tell him in verse 18? Do you think he was happy about that?
What is it about Jesus’ command in verse 19 that summarizes everything? Do you believe this is the answer to every problem, even your future, as Peter’s? Will following Christ change your situation, or are we called to follow Him despite our situation? What will ultimately be the result?
Why do you think Peter asked about the other disciple?
Did Jesus’ answer mean that he was going to be alive until He returned? What did His answer mean?
Why are John’s words trustworthy? Think about this writing, compared to other historical accounts which are often written down several centuries after they happened.
Do you believe them?
Why do you think the things that were recorded were recorded? Why not the many other things?

My prayer is:
That I would be able to answer Jesus’ question of, “Do you love me?” with a clear and affirmative “Yes, Lord;”
That I would have opportunity to feed His sheep;
And that I would follow Jesus wherever He leads me, throughout my life and in every situation, even if it leads to a death which would glorify Him, no matter what happens with those around me.