Lessons from Acts
By Cynthia Hyle Bezek
Note: This Bible study is formatted for small group open discussion. If you use this study by yourself, we suggest you journal your answers to the discussion questions. Also, please use suggested translations where indicated. Biblegateway.com is an excellent source for translations you may not have on hand.
I’m just back from leading a prayer retreat. I had planned the sessions. Decided the focus. Chosen the illustrations. Selected the Scriptures. Picked the prayer practices. Created the handouts. I was organized and ready. I knew how the retreat would go, from start to finish.
At least I thought I did. But the Holy Spirit had a different idea.
I led the Friday evening session according to my outline. Everything went smoothly. Nothing dramatic happened, and the evening went fine. I retired to my room, consulted my notes for the next day, prayed, and went to bed.
A few hours later, I startled awake. It was 4:00 a.m.
Pray for Brian (not his real name), the Holy Spirit seemed to be saying. Although I hadn’t met Brian yet, I knew who He was talking about. Brian had the look of a guy who is perpetually frustrated and unhappy. I hadn’t paid much attention to him. However, the Holy Spirit seemed urgent. So I prayed.
Change the beginning of the morning session, the Holy Spirit seemed to be saying. Scrap how you were going to do it—I have a different plan.
What could I say? I scrapped my plan. I listened for His redirection. Then I scrambled to do what was needed to implement it. I was flying by the seat of my pants—which I don’t ordinarily like to do!
Nevertheless, ten minutes before the morning session began, I was ready. Breathless, but ready.
Without telling the group about the change of plans, I led according to the Spirit’s redirection. And there was a palpable difference in the group. They were engaged. Joyful. Awed, even. They responded in worship. And Brian was part of that. His countenance even changed. The Lord was among us!
Because I obediently moved forward in the Spirit’s new plan, I got to see the Lord at work in the group—especially in Brian. Brian left different than he had come. He’d met the Lord—because the Holy Spirit knew far better than I did what needed to happen at that retreat. For me, it was an Acts moment.
This issue of Prayer Connect encourages us to approach God with open hands and loosely held agendas. It challenges us to expect Him to do great things when we release our control and let Him be in charge. And sometimes it means flying by the seats of our pants. But isn’t that what Acts is all about?
See for yourself as you work through this Bible study.
Discussion Questions
Dick Eastman says, “The Book of Acts is more than a mere record of how God moved among His children in the early Church. It’s a manual and model for praying believers today.” Assuming that’s true, it is vital that we know what Acts says about prayer. Read the following passages and note the who, what, and why behind each prayer. Also note the results. (Not every passage will include every detail.)
1:14:________________________________
4:23–31:________________________________
6:1–7:________________________________
7:59–60:________________________________
9:40–42:________________________________
10:1–16:________________________________
12:1–12:________________________________
13:1–3: ________________________________
16:25–34:________________________________
20:17–38:________________________________
28:7–10:________________________________
Look over the list you just wrote. What do you learn about prayer from these verses? How are you motivated or challenged?
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Daniel Henderson writes that the early Church understood the Holy Spirit as the “how to” rather than a mere helper or advisor. Explain the difference—and why the distinction is important. Do any of the verses you read above illustrate this point? Explain.
________________________________ __________________________________
Action Steps
Sue Detweiler points out that the prayers of Acts were history-making. God “wants us to go beyond our list of personal concerns, to ask Him for the nations,” she writes. What adjustments can you make to your prayer list to become more of a global-minded intercessor?
________________________________ __________________________________
Detweiler also explains that praying as the early Church did invites God to “interrupt your days and give you unexpected divine appointments.” Why don’t you try it? Tell God you are willing to have Him interrupt your day. Ask Him to send you specific divine appointments. Make sure to tell your small group or a friend what happens as a result.
Dick Eastman points out that a “quality of every great revival is unity.” Ask God to show you areas in your personal life or sphere of influence where there needs to be greater unity. In addition to prayer, what action steps would He have you take?
CYNTHIA HYLE BEZEK is a regular contributor to Prayer Connect and director of curriculum for Community Bible Studies.
