Further Study

Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

1. What was Luke’s twofold purpose for writing the Book of Acts? How should this purpose impact our reading of Acts?
2. How and why did Luke use authoritative words and deeds to persuade his readers of the truth of his accounts?
3. What elements reveal the structural pattern of the Book of Acts? How does this pattern help us understand the message of the book?
4. Discuss and give examples of internal growth and tension and external growth and opposition that took place in Jerusalem.
5. Discuss and give examples of internal growth and tension and external growth and opposition that took place in Judea and Samaria.
6. Discuss and give examples of internal growth and tension and external growth and opposition that took place at the “ends of the earth,” as it was known in that day.
7. When we make modern application of Luke’s message in Acts, why should we take into account the kind of literature Acts is?
8. What discontinuities exist between Luke’s original audience and us? How do these affect the way we apply Acts in the modern world?
9. What continuities exist between Luke’s original audience and us? How do these affect the way we apply Acts in the modern world?

Application Questions

Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.

1. Why is it important to interpret Acts correctly?
2. What relevance is there in believing that Acts records real history?
3. What is the relationship between the church and God’s kingdom on earth?
4. What kinds of growth should we expect from our own congregations? How can we achieve these kinds of growth?
5. What encouragement can be found in conflict?
6. What does God approve of and bless, and what does God disapprove of or curse? Why should we pay attention to these things?
7. How do our circumstances resemble the circumstances of Acts? How are they different? Why should the modern church consider these similarities and differences when applying Acts to our modern lives?
8. What is the most significant insight you have learned from this study?

Discussion Video

Additional information concerning the lesson topic is provided in a video presentation of a question and answer session. If you are struggling to understand any portion of the lesson or if you would simply like to deepen your understanding of the subject, this video will be helpful.