ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

FROM SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2007

ACTS 2:22-41 - THE SERMON THAT LAUNCHED THE CHURCH

1. By way of setting the context for this study, read Acts 2:12-15. Why would anyone have thought that the disciples on the Day of Pentecost were 'drunk' (verse 15)? Do you think that anything like this should be a feature of our church life today? If so, what, if anything, do you think we could do to bring it about?

2. Read Acts 2:16-21. Why do you suppose that a scholar might describe this quotation from Joel as 'the apex of prophetic utterance'?

3. Now read Acts 2:22-41. As he sets out the story of Jesus, what features does Peter highlight? Why?

4. How does this passage support the view that the Gospel accounts of the ministry of Jesus are true and reliable when it comes to describing his miracles?

5. How would you have answered a Jew in first century Jerusalem who suggested that 'the fact that God allowed Jesus to die proves that he was an impostor'?

6. Why was it 'God's set purpose and foreknowledge' (verse 23) that an event as appalling as the crucifixion of Jesus should have happened?

7. How does Peter set out to show that a Messiah who is killed and raised to life is what they should have been expecting all along?

8. What would it have meant for them to call Jesus 'both Lord and Christ' (verse 36)? What does it mean for us now?

9. Have a closer look at verses 38-41. What happens to us as a result of repentance and baptism? Why does this have to happen before we can receive the gift of the Spirit?

10. Pray for those in our church and on the edge of church life who are thinking through some of these issues at the moment. Pray for the Start! Course beginning next week and for those thinking about being confirmed in June. Pray too for the plans being made to run the Alpha Course in the autumn.

11. Pray too for those newly elected to positions of responsibility in the church's leadership. For our churchwardens: Nigel Freeman and Nic Cope; elected to Deanery Synod: Andrew Jupp; elected to Team Council: Margaret Perkin and Bob Willis; elected to the PCC: Jude Cunningham, Carolyn Davis, Sandra Harris, Jim Lupton and Andrew Smith.

David Stone
30 April 2007