"Pandemic" - Acts 4:23-31

  • Series: "Pandemic" - The Gospel Unleashed
  • by: Chris Mayfield 11/15/09

Persecution and Prayer
Acts 4:23-31

If you’re reading this, you are more than likely at a community group, which hopefully means you understand the importance of the fellowship of believers. Peter and John did as well. After being locked up, held in court for a day, threatened and interrogated, they went directly to their Christian brothers and sisters and recounted what had passed. Immediately they began praising God and praying with one heart and one mind. Psalm 2:1-2 was laid on their hearts as the Holy Spirit led them to read Scripture. These verses, along with many of Jesus’ teachings teach believers in Christ to expect persecution and opposition to the gospel. Just as they persecuted Christ, so too, they will persecute his followers. Thankfully, God hears their prayers and answers them with the filling of the Holy Spirit so that even when foundations are shaking, their faith will not.

Engage the Church

  1. What did the Apostles and their friends pray for? What would you have prayed for? What can we learn from the prayer that the believers pray here?
  2. What are the implications of verses 27-28? What does it mean that God predestined what would happen to Jesus?
  3. By quoting Psalm 2:1-2, what are those in the assembly saying about nations of this world?
  4. How would you characterize the Apostles response to persecution? What enabled them to respond in such a way?

From Thought to Action

  1. A temptation many of us have is to view our current circumstance as a reflection of God’s affection or disposition towards us. In other words, sometimes when things don’t go the way we expect or bad things happen to us, we might be prone to think that we have done something wrong or that God is angry at us. Why is this unbiblical? How would you counsel someone who thinks this way? What does Scripture teach?
  2. When was the last time you prayed for boldness and the resolve to proclaim the gospel in spite of the consequences? Are you praying for this and for eyes to see the opportunities that come your way?

Pray for the persecuted church and or the nation/people group your community group has chosen.

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