NT260 • Set 19
Discussion & Heart Check Questions
Small group discussion questions and accountability tools designed to help disciples grow in their love for God, connect with others, serve others, and share the gospel.
These questions were created to accompany the NT260 Discipleship Journal, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, Sunday School class, one-on-one discipleship relationship, or individual studying Acts 2–6.
This Set’s Big Idea
The Holy Spirit empowers the church to proclaim the risen Jesus, live in devoted community, serve with courage and generosity, remain faithful through opposition, and carry the gospel forward as God adds to His people.
As you read, watch how the Holy Spirit fills the believers at Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as the risen Lord and Messiah, thousands respond in repentance and faith, the early church devotes itself to biblical teaching, fellowship, prayer, generosity, and worship, and the apostles continue witnessing with courage despite threats, persecution, internal sin, and growing ministry needs.
How to Use These Questions
These questions are a guide, not a script. You do not need to answer every question. The goal is to help your group engage Scripture, encourage one another, and take a clear next step of obedience.
Before meeting, encourage everyone to complete this week’s readings and record at least one observation and one application using PETS or another preferred Bible study method.
Suggested Small Group Meeting Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Connect, catch up, and celebrate how God worked during the week.
Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach through His Word.
Share PETS observations and applications from the week’s readings.
Work through selected discussion questions together.
Use Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests and close by praying for one another.
Leader Tips
- You do not need to answer every question.
- Select the questions that best fit your group.
- Keep the conversation centered on Jesus, the gospel, and practical obedience.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but never pressure anyone to speak.
- Make room for both interpretation and personal application.
- Avoid treating Acts 2–6 as a formula promising that every church will experience identical signs, numerical growth, or circumstances. Focus on the enduring truths these chapters reveal about the gospel, the Holy Spirit, Christian community, courageous witness, holiness, prayer, generosity, and servant leadership.
- When discussing Ananias and Sapphira, emphasize that their sin was not failing to give every dollar from the sale. Their property and money remained under their control. Their sin involved deliberate deception, hypocrisy, and lying to the Holy Spirit while seeking recognition for generosity they had not shown.
- Do not create a false division between prayer, biblical teaching, and practical service in Acts 6. The apostles did not consider caring for widows unimportant. They ensured that qualified, Spirit-filled servants were appointed so that both ministries could receive proper attention.
- Help the group see that the church’s growth came from God. The believers faithfully proclaimed Christ, prayed, served, gave, and obeyed, but the Lord added people to His church and caused His Word to spread.
- Leave enough time for accountability, encouragement, and prayer.
This Set’s Readings
- Acts 2 — The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost, Peter Proclaims the Risen Jesus, and the Church Begins
- Acts 3 — A Man Is Healed in Jesus’ Name, and Peter Calls the People to Repent
- Acts 4 — Peter and John Boldly Testify Before the Council, and the Church Prays and Shares Generously
- Acts 5 — God Confronts Hypocrisy, the Apostles Face Persecution, and the Gospel Continues to Spread
- Acts 6 — The Church Appoints Spirit-Filled Servants, the Word Continues to Increase, and Stephen Faces Opposition
NT260 • Set 19
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Think about a time when you were part of a group that worked together especially well. What made that group healthy and effective?
Digging Into the Text
- Looking across Acts 2–6, what repeated characteristics do you see in the life and witness of the early church?
- What signs accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and what purpose did those signs serve?
- The crowd came from many nations and heard about God’s mighty works in their own languages. What does this reveal about God’s desire for the gospel to reach every people and nation?
- What truths about Jesus stand at the center of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2?
- When the listeners were cut to the heart, Peter called them to repent. What is biblical repentance, and how is it different from merely feeling regret or guilt?
- Acts 2 describes believers devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, shared meals, and prayer. Why are each of these practices important for a healthy church?
- What is the difference between attending a church gathering and being genuinely devoted to life with God’s people?
- In Acts 3, the man expected Peter and John to give him money, but he received something greater. What does this encounter teach us about seeing and responding to the deeper needs of people?
- After the man was healed, Peter immediately redirected the crowd’s attention away from himself and toward Jesus. Why is this important whenever God works through His people?
- Peter calls Jesus the Author of life and proclaims that God raised Him from the dead. How does the resurrection shape the church’s message and mission?
- Peter calls the people to repent and turn to God so their sins may be wiped away and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. What hope does this offer someone burdened by guilt or separated from God?
- In Acts 4, what caused the religious leaders to oppose Peter and John?
- The leaders recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. What qualities in their lives made their relationship with Christ visible?
- Peter declares that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. Why is the exclusivity of Christ essential to the gospel rather than an unnecessary obstacle to it?
- When Peter and John were commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, they said they could not stop talking about what they had seen and heard. What produces that kind of conviction and courage?
- After receiving threats, the believers prayed for boldness rather than primarily asking God to remove the opposition. What does their prayer reveal about their priorities?
- Acts 4 describes remarkable unity and generosity among the believers. How did their understanding of the gospel change the way they viewed their possessions?
- What was the central sin of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, and why was their deception so serious?
- What does the account of Ananias and Sapphira teach us about God’s holiness and the danger of seeking spiritual recognition through hypocrisy?
- Peter tells the religious leaders, “We must obey God rather than people.” How can believers discern when faithfulness to God requires respectfully resisting human authority?
- Why were the apostles able to rejoice after being beaten for proclaiming Jesus?
- In Acts 6, what practical problem threatened the unity and ministry of the growing church?
- What qualities did the church seek in those appointed to oversee the daily distribution, and what does this teach us about selecting leaders for practical ministries?
- How did shared leadership allow both practical care and the ministry of prayer and the Word to remain strong?
- What evidence do you see throughout Acts 2–6 that God was the One producing the church’s growth?
- If you had to summarize the message of Acts 2–6 in one sentence, what would you say?
Leader Note
Acts 2–6 shows what happens when the risen and reigning Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit upon His people. Ordinary disciples become courageous witnesses. Thousands hear the gospel. New believers form a devoted community. Physical needs are met, opposition is faced, sin is confronted, and ministry responsibilities are shared.
These chapters present a beautiful picture of the early church, but they do not describe a community without problems. Growth brings challenges. Widows are overlooked. Hypocrisy enters the church. Religious leaders attempt to silence the apostles. Internal needs and external opposition both threaten the church’s unity and mission.
Yet every challenge becomes an opportunity for greater dependence on God. The believers pray for courage. The apostles obey God rather than people. The church chooses qualified servants. Generous believers care for one another. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom, power, holiness, and boldness for every stage of the mission.
Encourage your group to ask, “What did the Holy Spirit produce in the life of the early church?” before asking, “How can we recreate their results?” The goal is not to copy every circumstance recorded in Acts but to become people who depend on the same Spirit, proclaim the same risen Jesus, obey the same Word, and participate in the same mission.
Love God
- Which scene or truth from Acts 2–6 most increased your love, reverence, or gratitude toward God this week?
- The early believers devoted themselves to biblical teaching, fellowship, shared meals, and prayer. Which of these areas is strongest in your life, and which needs greater attention?
- The believers repeatedly depended on the Holy Spirit rather than their own strength. Where are you currently tempted to rely primarily on your experience, personality, planning, or ability?
- Ananias and Sapphira attempted to appear more devoted than they truly were. Is there an area where you are tempted to manage your spiritual appearance instead of walking honestly before God?
- Peter and the apostles obeyed God even when obedience brought personal cost. Is there an area where fear of people is making it difficult for you to obey God?
Connect with Others
- Acts 2 describes believers sharing life rather than merely attending the same gatherings. What step could you take to become more deeply connected with other believers?
- The early church noticed and responded when people among them were in need. Is there someone in your church, group, family, or community whose needs you may have overlooked?
- The complaint in Acts 6 could have divided the church, but the leaders listened and responded wisely. How do you normally respond when someone raises a concern or points out a problem?
- Is there someone you need to encourage, forgive, thank, listen to, or intentionally spend time with this week?
- What could our group do to become more devoted to prayer, fellowship, encouragement, and practical care for one another?
Serve Others
- Peter and John stopped to notice a man whom others passed every day. Who might God be inviting you to slow down and truly notice?
- The seven servants in Acts 6 were selected to meet an important practical need. What ordinary or behind-the-scenes ministry could you faithfully support?
- The early believers viewed their possessions as resources entrusted by God for the good of others. Is there a financial, material, or practical resource you could share with someone in need?
- What gift, skill, experience, or opportunity has God entrusted to you that could strengthen the church or serve your community?
- Is there a responsibility you need to share with someone else so that ministry can remain healthy, effective, and sustainable?
Share the Gospel
- Peter’s messages consistently centered on Jesus’ death, resurrection, lordship, and the call to repent. How clearly could you explain these truths to someone who does not yet follow Christ?
- Peter and John spoke about what they had seen and heard. What has Jesus done in your life that you could naturally share with someone else?
- The believers asked God for boldness to speak His Word. What fear most often keeps you from talking about Jesus?
- Who is one person you can begin praying for by name and intentionally seek an opportunity to encourage toward Christ?
- Is there someone you could invite to church, your small group, a meal, or a conversation about faith this week?
Closing Challenge
The Holy Spirit empowers the church to proclaim the risen Jesus, live in devoted community, serve with courage and generosity, remain faithful through opposition, and carry the gospel forward as God adds to His people.
Acts 2–6 reminds us that the church is more than a weekly gathering. The church is a Spirit-filled people who are devoted to God’s Word, committed to one another, generous toward those in need, courageous in their witness, serious about holiness, and willing to serve wherever God calls.
Where is the Holy Spirit inviting you to take your next step this week—from casual attendance to devoted community, self-reliance to dependence, spiritual appearance to genuine integrity, fear to courageous witness, holding tightly to generosity, or passive involvement to faithful service?
Scripture to Remember
Acts 4:12
Standing before the religious leaders, Peter boldly declared that salvation is found in Jesus alone. No other person, power, religious system, or human achievement can reconcile sinners to God.
This conviction stood at the center of the early church’s witness. The apostles were not merely promoting better morals or a stronger community. They proclaimed that the crucified and risen Jesus is the only Savior and Lord.
This week: Read Acts 4:12 each morning. Thank Jesus for saving you, ask God to deepen your confidence in the gospel, and pray for courage to speak clearly and graciously about the hope found in Christ alone.
This Week’s Practice
Practice Devotion, Generosity, and Courage
Choose one practice from the life of the early church to strengthen this week. Spend additional time in Scripture, pray with another believer, share a meal with someone, meet a practical need, give generously, serve in a ministry, or begin a conversation about Jesus.
Do not attempt everything at once. Choose one specific and measurable act of obedience. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you follow through with humility, love, and faithfulness.
At the end of the week, ask yourself, “How did my dependence on the Holy Spirit lead me to love God, care for His people, serve someone in need, or speak about Jesus?”
Prayer Focus
Becoming a Spirit-Empowered Church
Pray together that your group and church would display the same Spirit-produced qualities seen throughout Acts 2–6: devotion to truth, deep fellowship, generous care, personal holiness, courageous witness, servant leadership, and dependence on God.
- Thank God for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within and empower His people.
- Ask God to deepen your devotion to Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and worship.
- Pray for unity, honesty, generosity, and practical care within your church.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to expose hypocrisy and produce genuine holiness in your life.
- Pray for courage to obey God and speak about Jesus when doing so is uncomfortable or costly.
- Ask God to raise up wise, Spirit-filled servants who will faithfully meet the needs of His people.
- Pray for the Word of God to spread and for more people to repent, believe, and follow Jesus.
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save us and Your Spirit to live within us. Make us a people who are devoted to Your Word, faithful in prayer, generous toward others, honest before You, and courageous in our witness. Give us wisdom to serve well, strength to remain faithful through opposition, and compassion to notice those who are overlooked. Use our lives and our church to make the risen Jesus known so that more people may repent, believe, and receive life in His name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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