Pastor Ralph

Q7. (Isaiah 9:6-7) Why is a never-ending Kingdom such an anomaly in world history? Why is just and righteous government so rare? What justice will Jesus bring to you when he comes?

Q6. (Isaiah 9:6) Paraphrase in your own words the amazing titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. How should knowledge of his titles affect our relationship to him?

Q5. (Isaiah 9:1-2) Why do people choose to live in darkness when light is available? (John 3:19). Why do people seem to resist the Light of Jesus? Why do you sometimes hesitate to step into Jesus’ full light? How did Light transform the reputation of Galilee? How has light transformed your reputation in your circle of friends?

Day 4 (Genesis 22:16-18; Galatians 3:16, 29) To whom are blessings promised through Abraham's descendant? In what way does Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac prefigure the Father’s sacrifice of Jesus?

Day 3 (Genesis 49:10) What does the image of a lion tell us about Judah’s descendant? How does Jesus qualify for the promise of the ruling scepter? Why is obedience so hard for us? Why is it so important for us?

Day 2 (Luke 1:39-45) Why did the angel put Elizabeth and Mary together? How is Elizabeth a comfort to Mary? How is Mary an encouragement to Elizabeth? To whom has God sent you to give and receive comfort?

Q1 (Luke 1:26-38) What honor did God bestow on Mary? What would this honor cost her? What does her response to the angel indicate? What discipleship lesson can you learn from Mary’s response?

Q4. (Acts 12:5-17) Why do you think the Christians don’t believe their own prayers for Peter’s release? Don’t they believe in miracles any longer? Why don’t we pray with greater faith to the God who can do anything? How can we grow our faith in God so we can pray better?

Q3. (Acts 11:29-30) In what way does the monetary gift from the Antioch believers to the Judean believers exemplify the most basic directive of Jesus (John 13:35)? Why do you think that ministry to the poor and needy has become a hallmark of the Church down through the ages to our own day? What happens when we deemphasize this? What happens when we over-emphasize this?

Q2. (Acts 11:22-26) What qualifications did Barnabas have that made him an ideal missionary to the new Gentile believers in Antioch? What qualifications did Saul of Tarsus have that caused Barnabas to seek him out and enlist him to help in Antioch? Why do you think it took so long for Saul to get into active ministry in Antioch?

Q1. (Acts 11:19-21) Why do you think it took so long for the gospel to jump over from the Jewish “fishing pond” into the vast ocean of Gentiles who need Christ? What kind of preparation did God have to do among the Jewish Christians to get them ready for this?

Q5. (Acts 10:44-48) Clearly tongues were a sign to Peter that Cornelius’s household had been baptized with the Spirit. Does the Scripture support a doctrine that speaking in tongues is a “necessary sign” of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If so, how? (Christians disagree on these matters, so be gentle as you share your thoughts with one another.)

Q4. (Acts 10:38) Since Jesus is God, why is he dependent upon the Spirit’s anointing? Are we dependent upon the Spirit’s empowerment in a similar way, or is it different for us?

Q3. (Acts 10:9-16) Why does God have to bring this noon-time vision to Peter? What prejudices did Peter have against Gentiles? How did his religion prevent him from reaching out to Gentiles? What specifically did God tell him about “common and unclean”? How does this revelation affect his attitude towards Jewish dietary laws?

Q2. (Acts 10:4) Why do you think your prayers and your obedient life are like incense that gives God pleasure? Do you think you can actually bring pleasure to God?

Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius’ character? Why do you think God chose to reveal himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Is he more worthy of salvation?

Q4. (Acts 9:32-43) How did God use healing and raising from the dead in order to begin a mighty regional revival? If you recognize that you have a spiritual gift of healing, are you willing to be obedient and let God use you in ministry?

Q3. (Acts 9:28-29) We are not to be quarrelsome we know (2 Timothy 2:24-26), but what is the role of debate and argument in evangelism? What is the value of studying the Scriptures and the arguments for the divinity of Jesus for leading people to Christ? Have you prepared yourself in this way?

Q2. (Acts 9:9-19) God seemed to initiate Saul’s conversion. How did God use Ananias in ministry to Saul? How important is listening and obedience in ministry – even when we don’t understand? Are you prepared if God were to call you to minister to a high-profile person in his Kingdom?

Q1. (Acts 9:4-5) Why is persecuting the Church the same as persecuting Jesus himself? What is the bond between Jesus and his Church? Why must we show reverence toward Christ’s Church and not disparage it?

Q4. (Acts 8:26-29). Notice how Philip learns what to do – from an angel (verse 26) and from the Spirit (verse 29). Can God speak to us today by his Spirit, or was this just for the first century?

Q3. (Acts 8:9-25) What is at the root of Simon Magus’s sin? Why is using money to buy spiritual influence, power, and salvation so deeply offensive to God? How is it opposite to God’s way? Where do you see this sin in the modern church?

Q2. (Acts 8:4-17) What convinced the Samaritans to believe in Jesus? In your opinion, why didn’t the Holy Spirit fall on them at the time of their baptism? Why did Peter and John have to come first?

Q1. (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19) What enables us to give thanks in all circumstances? What was the short-term effect of Saul’s persecution? What was the longer-term effect?

Q4. (Acts 7:52) In what senses is Jesus “the Righteous One”? How should his righteousness challenge our sinfulness? In 1 John 2:1-2, why is the Righteous One our Advocate before the Father? How does Jesus deal with the great gap caused by our unrighteousness?