This Week’s Reading: Acts 5:17–42
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the peoplewould stone them.
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
—Acts 5:17–42
Introduction and Ice Breaker
What was the worst (or most amusing) instance of trouble you got into as a kid or teenager?
Have you ever been let out of jail by an angel? (Worth checking)
Themes to Consider
God’s Plan of Redemption - the arch of God’s plan to redeem and repair the world comes to fullness in Jesus. The early church (and church across the ages) proclaIms this new life.
Full/Abundant Life - Jesus promised to give us life and life to the full. The angel who releases the apostles indicates that full life has come.
Suffering with Christ - In this world we will have trouble, but we can endure and even be of good cheer because God is present in our suffering and we are the heirs of tremendous promise in Christ.
Discussion Questions
Several places in the Scriptures we see people being and describing being joyful in suffering. Have you had an experience like that?
In the sermon it was mentioned that “Acts is a hard book to study if you are looking to answer when will God get you out of jail.” What suffering in your life do you wish would go away right now, but you suspect God is trying to get your attention or meet you in that pain?
Do you think that your vision of full life and God’s may differ. How so?
The Apostle Paul says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” What is your reaction to that?
What do you think are crucial elements for enduring suffering?
What experiences have you had with telling someone directly about Jesus or the Gospel?
Guided Prayer
(share something with your group that you would like prayer for)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. —2 Corinthians 1:3–5 (ESV)
Silence
Read through this text a couple of times and think about what it says about the nature of our God.
Consider the sufferings of Christ for you.
Sit for a moment in silent appreciation for his willingness to humble himself, even to death on a cross.
Prayer
Father, you are the living God who chose to show us your glory through the suffering love of Christ. I confess, I default to avoid hardship. It seems contrary to how life ought to be.
Yet you invite us into these mysteries in order that we too may share in your Glory.
Meet us with much grace. Forgive us our ignorance and propensity to wish it away without much intent towards finding you in the midst of our trouble. Use this trial to refine me like fire so that I too may be more like you Jesus. Comfort us in our affliction so that we too may comfort the world you have commissioned us to love.
Amen.
Praise
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. —1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
Declare his faithfulness and your trust in Him. If you doubt, ask Him for strong faith and trust. Be encouraged by this promise:
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. —1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
quotes
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
—James 1 v 2-4
I believe that suffering will be healed and made up for that in the world’s finale and the moment of eternal harmony something so precious will come to pass that it will suffice our hearts for the comforting of all resentments, for the atonement of all crimes of humanity, for all the blood that they’ve shed, something so great that it will make it not just possible to forgive but to justify all that has happened.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Ivan Karamazov, The Brothers Karamazov
From the standpoint of heaven the most miserable life on earth will just look like one night in a bad hotel.
—Theresa of Avila
