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Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Teaching Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 140 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado

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BOOK OF ACTS

Nelson Impact

Contents

How to Study the Bible.................................ivIntroduction to the Book of Acts.......................viiLesson 1 Jesus Changes Lives...........................1Lesson 2 We Are Witnesses..............................11Lesson 3 Tried and Tested..............................21Lesson 4 Getting Along with Others.....................31Lesson 5 Looking to Jesus..............................41Lesson 6 The Holy Spirit's Leading.....................51Lesson 7 God's Saving Power............................61Lesson 8 Unity Among Believers........................71Lesson 9 God's Grace...................................81Lesson 10 Presenting the Gospel........................91Lesson 11 Facing Problems and Pain.....................101Lesson 12 Living Your Faith............................111

Chapter One

JESUS CHANGES LIVES

REFLECTION

Community. Unselfish sharing. Unity. These are things we hope to experience in our families, our churches, and our society. Unfortunately, these qualities are often lacking. The book of Acts, entitled the "Acts of the Apostles," records the continuation of the story of Jesus' disciples after Jesus ascended to heaven. The first followers of Jesus came from different backgrounds, yet demonstrated amazing community as the early church was formed. Think about your church. In what ways can you see the transforming power of Jesus' presence?

SITUATION

For almost two months Jerusalem had been buzzing with arguments, plots, a headline crucifixion, rumors of a resurrection, transformed lives, visits from the risen Jesus, and his sudden departure to heaven, witnessed by hundreds. Jesus' followers gathered to pray, and the Holy Spirit showed up! In the early-morning hours of Pentecost, a new sound was heard in the temple courts: Galileans were speaking various languages, praising God in tongues other than their own. A crowd gathered. Opinions and conclusions were reached. Then one of those disciples stood up and spoke. Peter, the transformed fisherman who had betrayed his Lord, delivered the first sermon, explaining from the Scriptures who Jesus really was and why he died. The results were remarkable.

OBSERVATION

Read Acts 2:36-47 from the NCV or the NKJV.

NCV

36 "So, all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus-the man you nailed to the cross-both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do?"

38 Peter said to them, "Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself."

40 Peter warned them with many other words. He begged them, "Save yourselves from the evil of today's people!" 41 Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptized. About three thousand people were added to the number of believers that day. 42 They spent their time learning the apostles' teaching, sharing, breaking bread, and praying together.

43 The apostles were doing many miracles and signs, and everyone felt great respect for God. 44 All the believers were together and shared everything. 45 They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it. 46 The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. 47 They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.

NKJV

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

EXPLORATION

1. What bold statement did Peter make to the crowd?

2. How did the people react to Peter's declaration?

3. What instructions did Peter give to the people?

4. To whom is the Holy Spirit available?

5. How did the new believers grow in their faith? How did they practice that faith with one another?

INSPIRATION

A transformed group stood beside a transformed Peter as he announced some weeks later: "So, all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus-the man you nailed to the cross-both Lord and Christ."

No timidity in his words. No reluctance. About three thousand people believed his message.

The apostles sparked a movement. The people became followers of the death-conqueror. They couldn't hear enough or say enough about him ... Christ was their model, their message. They preached "Jesus Christ and him crucified," not for the lack of another topic, but because they couldn't exhaust this one.

What unlocked the doors of the apostles' hearts?

Simple. They saw Jesus. They encountered the Christ. Their sins collided with their Savior and their Savior won!

A lot of things would happen to them over the next few decades. Many nights would be spent away from home. Hunger would gnaw at their bellies. Rain would soak their skin. Stones would bruise their bodies. Shipwrecks, lashings, martyrdom. But there was a scene in the repertoire of memories that caused them to never look back: the betrayed coming back to find his betrayers; not to scourge them, but to send them. Not to criticize them for forgetting, but to commission them to remember. Remember that he who was dead is alive and they who were guilty have been forgiven. (From Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado)

REACTION

6. What changes has Jesus made in your life?

7. What circumstances caused you...