Prayer Point for the Week – Let us pray for a closer daily walk with Jesus.
Questions for Reflection:
In today’s text, the Early Church experienced the suffering of persecution. Is persecution the only form of persecution that the church suffers? Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. In what other ways do Christians suffer? Have you suffered in any of these areas? What are the sources of our suffering?
At the of Acts 5, the Apostles have an unusual response to being beaten and threatened. What does 2 Timothy 3:12 about the certainty of persecution? What assurance does 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 give us concerning our ability to survive persecution and suffering? Contrast the outer person with the inner man in this scripture.
The possibility of suffering can make some Christians fearful. Before the Resurrection, how well equipped were the disciples to handle suffering? How did they change after Acts 2? Where the Apostles prayerful before or after they faced their challenges?
After the Apostles were beaten and threatened, they were joyful. Read Romans 14:17. What was the main reason that the disciples were joyful despite their circumstance? What can we learn from this and how does this apply to our lives?
In addition to the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:41 gives us another reason that the Apostles were rejoicing? What was the reason? What is it about worthiness that made the people full of delight and satisfaction?
