Group Guide

March 3rd, 2024

This Week's City 7:

2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)

Ice-Breaker:

A study of people's greatest fears typically ranks public speaking at number one... even before death! What about you? Would you rather speak in front of a crowd or die?

Discussion Questions:

Have someone read Acts 2:22-41 aloud.

In Acts 2, we not only see the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit, we also see the very first gospel sermon ever preached. Peter, filled with boldness from the Spirit of God, steps out to address the masses and presents the good news of the gospel, resulting in 3,000 salvations. The first thing Peter laid out was that the gospel is PROVEN. In verse 22 he makes the case that God publicly endorsed Jesus through the signs and miracles he performed. In verses 24 and 32 he talks about the resurrection and how there were many witnesses of it. He also mentioned prophecies of old that predicted all of it. We should be confident that we follow Jesus because we are certain that he is alive. How confident are you in your ability to explain why you believe that Jesus rose from the dead?
Because Christianity is a fulfillment of Jewish prophecies, this means the gospel is also PREDESTINED. In verse 23, Peter calls the events that unfolded surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection where the prearranged plan of God. Clayton described in great detail the tension between God's sovereign, predestined plan and our own free will. This tension creates a lot of questions, but those answers and their difficulty are better than thinking God isn't in control. Man is NOT in control, but also not absolved from responsibility of his actions. Here's the question we should all ask ourselves... Would you want God's best for you to be determined by YOUR faithfulness or HIS? By YOUR ability or HIS? You were captive to your master the devil, and now you are free to do God's will and experience his best. What could be better than that?
Next, the gospel is PREEMINENT. In verse 33 Peter says that Jesus is now exalted to the highest place of honor at God's right hand. He tells them that Jesus is Lord and that they were now an enemy of God! It's interesting to note that Peter has so far led with the BAD news. This is because a savior doesn't make sense until you realize you need saving! And if Jesus is, indeed, preeminent, then repentance is your only response. We must turn to God, humbly bow before him and confess that "Jesus is Lord!" There should be sorrow over our sin and guilt, realizing that we have infinitely offended a holy and righteous God. It should be enough to make us turn from sin, to hate it. What about you? Do you hate sin? Or are you a little casual about sin in your life? How often do you think about God's Spirit being grieved over your sin?
Finally, the gospel is PERSUASIVE. Verse 37 says that the people hearing Peter's message were cut to the heart and asking what they should do in response. That is what conviction looks like, and it's a good thing! Everyone must come to the conclusion that they are lost and need Jesus. Every Christian starts here. Do you remember that moment? Do you remember the day that your eyes were opened to your own sin and the holiness of God, when you realized that Jesus died in your place? What was that moment like?
The gospel must be PREACHED! Romans 10 tells us that people need to hear the gospel in order to respond to it, and they can't hear it unless someone tells them. Peter took a public stand despite the cost because the message was just that important. How public is YOUR faith? Do you take a bold, public stand for Jesus by the way you live your life, or do you lack boldness?

Prayer Topics:

That we would remember that the gospel is proven and that we serve a risen Savior.
That our lives would preach the truth of the gospel.

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