Week #11 — What God Does, What We Do, and What We Need
In our time, the Christian Gospel and the implications of it are becoming disfavored. Not many years ago, our culture treated Christianity as a positive social good. To identify as a Christian was to be thought of as a hard worker and a loyal friend—a trustworthy person who desired the best for neighbor and neighborhood. Most unbelievers even viewed evangelism as a practice motivated by a good heart. After all, if there is ‘good news’ of eternal consequence to share, the loving thing to do is share it.
Our world today sees things precisely the other way around. Evangelism is confrontational and mean-spirited because it involves exclusive truth claims. To call anything a ‘sin’ is itself immoral in a world where many take on what the Bible calls sin as a feature of their identity. These are challenging, uncomfortable circumstances, and it isn’t easy to know what to do. Should we shrink back and hide our faith? Could we soften our message to make it more palatable to our culture? Such ideas dishonor God, so perhaps we should hope that the circumstances improve and that the world once again favors Christians. Right?
That is certainly not a bad prayer, but it isn’t the prayer of Acts 4:23-31. Immediately on the heels of persecution by the authorities, the early church neither hides, nor changes the message, nor prays for better circumstances. Instead, they gather together and pray that God would fill them with boldness to be faithful in these circumstances. Maybe that same prayer is the right prayer for our time, too.
Let us read the passage and learn to pray for boldness so that we might proclaim the Gospel to the world, disfavored though we may be.
In Christ,
Pastor Ken
Week #11 — Questions
- Upon the release of Peter and John, they immediately go to their companions. What does this reveal about the importance of community when facing trials? Why is isolation such a danger in those seasons? Which way do you think our church leans?
- In v24, they lift their voices together to God. This is a beautiful picture of unity that characterized the life of the early church. Do our worship services and smaller gatherings reflect that same unity through prayer and song? How could we improve in this?
- They know that God is in charge—he’s sovereign over all. He even uses evildoers to accomplish his plan, including all nations and leaders (quoting Psalm 2). What does this mean for all the suffering, injustice, or persecution that we see? Where is God in all of that?
- In v28 we see the intersection of God’s ordination and human free action, as the rulers did “whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” How is this different than God simply allowing bad things to happen? How are we to hold these two truths together (God’s sovereignty and human responsibility)? Why is it important to affirm both?
- The believers don’t pray for safety or better circumstances, but for boldness to proclaim Jesus in those difficult circumstances (v29). What does that reveal about their priorities? How can we learn to pray mission-shaped prayers instead of comfort-shaped ones?
- What does boldness for Christ look like in our context—home, work, or community? What is the difference between Spirit-filled boldness and arrogance or recklessness?
- After they prayed, the place was “shaken,” as in a spiritual and actual earthquake. How or in what way do we experience the Holy Spirit’s power when we pray and worship together?
- The passage ends with believers continuing to speak with boldness. Simply put, God answered their prayerful request. What will you ask the Lord for this week? Share with the group the places you need to be encouraged to be bold by the Spirit’s power in present circumstances.