ACTS: The Spread of the Kingdom

Lesson 1 –The Church Is Born! (Acts 1-2)

Theme Verse
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts1:8).

Goal
In this lesson we will discover in Acts the nature and purpose of the church as God Himself designed it, and evaluate our own church life in the light of this discovery.

The Infant Church Acts (Acts 3-4)

Theme Verse
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Goal
In lessons 2a & 2b we will identify the ongoing work of the church following Pentecost, seek to understand the nature of the opposition which inevitably confronts this work, and recognize the source of the church’s power to withstand opposition and persist in its kingdom-building activity.

The Infant Church Acts (Acts 3-4) – Continued

Theme Verse
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Goal
In lessons 2a & 2b we will identify the ongoing work of the church following Pentecost, seek to understand the nature of the opposition which inevitably confronts this work, and recognize the source of the church’s power to withstand opposition and persist in its kingdom-building activity.

Growing Pains – Continued
(Acts 4:32-5:42)

Theme Verse
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’ ” (Acts 5:29).

Goal
In lessons 3a & 3bwe will learn how the infant church by the power of the Holy Spirit confronted perils within and without. We will examine perils that we may encounter in our present-day church experience and confront them, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word.

Growing Pains – Continuing
(Acts 5:12-32)

Theme Verse
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’ ” (Acts 5:29).

Goal
In this lesson we will learn how the infant church by the power of the Holy Spirit confronted perils within and without. We will examine perils that we may encounter in our present-day church experience and confront them, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word.

Growing Pains Closing (Acts 5:33-42)

Theme Verse
“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’ ” (Acts 5:29).

Goal
In the previous lessons we learned how the infant church by the power of the Holy Spirit confronted perils within and without.

We are examining perils that we may encounter in our present-day church experience and how we, too, might confront them, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word.

Marks of Maturity – Beginning
(Acts 6)

Theme Verse
“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:10).

Goal
In this lesson we will see in the example of Stephen that the church and its individual members can encounter the deadliest attack and emerge victorious through faith in Christ Jesus.

Marks of Maturity – Solidified
(Acts 7)

Theme Verse
“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:10).

Goal
In this lesson we will see in the example of Stephen that the church and its individual members can encounter the deadliest attack and emerge victorious through faith in Christ Jesus.

Thrust Out of the Nest – Beginning
(Acts 8)

Theme Verse
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4).

Goal
In this lesson we will discover how God faithfully activated His plan for the extension of the church beyond Jerusalem.

Thrust Out of the Nest – Continuing
(Acts 8)

Theme Verse
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4).

Goal
In this lesson we will discover how God faithfully activated His plan for the extension of the church beyond Jerusalem.

Thrust Out of the Nest – Continuing
(Acts 9)

Theme Verse
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4).

Goal
In this lesson we will discover how God faithfully activated His plan for the extension of the church beyond Jerusalem.

Thrust Out of the Nest – Continuing
(Acts9b-10a)

Theme Verse
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4).

Goal
In this lesson we will discover how God faithfully activated His plan for the extension of the church beyond Jerusalem.

Broadening Horizons (Acts 10-12)
(Acts 10b)

Theme Verse
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right’ “(Acts 10:34-35).

Goal
In this lesson we will observe the sovereignty of God in the affairs of His church as He (I) opens the door of the Gospel to the Gentile world and (2) perpetuates the spread of the Gospel despite violent political attack. We will also learn from this that God is equally sovereign in the church today.

Broadening Horizons (Acts 10-12)
(Acts 10c)

Theme Verse
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right’ “(Acts 10:34-35).

Goal
In this lesson we will observe the sovereignty of God in the affairs of His church as He (I) opens the door of the Gospel to the Gentile world and (2) perpetuates the spread of the Gospel despite violent political attack. We will also learn from this that God is equally sovereign in the church today.

Broadening Horizons (Acts 10-12)
(Acts 11)

Theme Verse
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right’ “(Acts 10:34-35).

Goal
In this lesson we will observe the sovereignty of God in the affairs of His church as He (I) opens the door of the Gospel to the Gentile world and (2) perpetuates the spread of the Gospel despite violent political attack. We will also learn from this that God is equally sovereign in the church today.

Broadening Horizons (Acts 10-12)
(Acts 12a)

Theme Verse
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right’ “(Acts 10:34-35).

Goal
In this lesson we will observe the sovereignty of God in the affairs of His church as He (I) opens the door of the Gospel to the Gentile world and (2) perpetuates the spread of the Gospel despite violent political attack. We will also learn from this that God is equally sovereign in the church today.

Broadening Horizons – Closing (Acts 10-12)
(Acts 12b)

Theme Verse
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right’ “(Acts 10:34-35).

Goal
In this lesson we will observe the sovereignty of God in the affairs of His church as He (I) opens the door of the Gospel to the Gentile world and (2) perpetuates the spread of the Gospel despite violent political attack. We will also learn from this that God is equally sovereign in the church today.

The Mature Church (Acts 13-15) in Labor and Hardships
(Acts 13a)

Theme Verse
” ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said (Acts 14:22).

Goal
In this lesson we will recognize and accept joyfully that, as the church under the impetus of the Holy Spirit engages in world evangelization, it must be prepared to endure great suffering and pay a great cost.

The Mature Church (Acts 13-15) in Labor and Hardships
(Acts 13b)

Theme Verse
” ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said (Acts 14:22).

Goal
In this lesson we will recognize and accept joyfully that, as the church under the impetus of the Holy Spirit engages in world evangelization, it must be prepared to endure great suffering and pay a great cost.

The Mature Church (Acts 13-15) in Labor and Hardships (Acts 14)

Theme Verse
” ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said (Acts 14:22).

Goal
In this lesson we will recognize and accept joyfully that, as the church under the impetus of the Holy Spirit engages in world evangelization, it must be prepared to endure great suffering and pay a great cost.

The Mature Church (Acts 13-15) in Labor and Hardships (Acts 15ab)

Theme Verse
” ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said (Acts 14:22).

Goal
In this lesson we will recognize and accept joyfully that, as the church under the impetus of the Holy Spirit engages in world evangelization, it must be prepared to endure great suffering and pay a great cost.

Nurturing Young Churches (Acts 16-20)
(Acts 15c-16a)

Theme Verse
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified“ (Acts 20:32).

Goal
In the following lessons we will study the second and third missionary journeys of Paul and come to appreciate how God had instilled in him -through faith -great love for His church. We will also be led by God’s love in Christ to serve the church as Paul did (although Paul is sometimes NOT the best example).

Nurturing Young Churches (Acts 16-20)
(Acts 16b-17b)

Theme Verse
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified“ (Acts 20:32).

Goal
In the following lessons we will study the second and third missionary journeys of Paul and come to appreciate how God had instilled in him -through faith -great love for His church. We will also be led by God’s love in Christ to serve the church as Paul did (although Paul is sometimes NOT the best example).

Nurturing Young Churches (Acts 16-20) (Acts 17)

Theme Verse
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified“ (Acts 20:32).

Goal
In the following lessons we will study the second and third missionary journeys of Paul and come to appreciate how God had instilled in him -through faith -great love for His church. We will also be led by God’s love in Christ to serve the church as Paul did (although Paul is sometimes NOT the best example).

Nurturing Young Churches (Acts 16-20) (Acts 18)

Theme Verse
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified“ (Acts 20:32).

Goal
In the following lessons we will study the second and third missionary journeys of Paul and come to appreciate how God had instilled in him -through faith -great love for His church. We will also be led by God’s love in Christ to serve the church as Paul did (although Paul is sometimes NOT the best example).

Nurturing Young Churches (Acts 16-20) (Acts 19b-20a)

Theme Verse
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified“ (Acts 20:32).

Goal
In the following lessons we will study the second and third missionary journeys of Paul and come to appreciate how God had instilled in him -through faith -great love for His church. We will also be led by God’s love in Christ to serve the church as Paul did (although Paul is sometimes NOT the best example).

Nurturing Young Churches (Acts 16-20) (Acts 20bc)

Theme Verse
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified“ (Acts 20:32).

Goal
In the following lessons we will study the second and third missionary journeys of Paul and come to appreciate how God had instilled in him -through faith -great love for His church. We will also be led by God’s love in Christ to serve the church as Paul did (although Paul is sometimes NOT the best example).

Bound and Yet Free (Acts 21-24)
(Acts 21ab)

Theme Verse
“Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you
must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church as well as the individual Christian can move forward in God’s plan despite extreme pressures and external restraints. We will also affirm that God liberated us from the bondage to sin, death, and the power of the devil through the bondage Jesus experienced as He suffered and died on the cross.

Bound and Yet Free (Acts 21-24)
(Acts 21c-22ab)

Theme Verse
“Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you
must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church as well as the individual Christian can move forward in God’s plan despite extreme pressures and external restraints. We will also affirm that God liberated us from the bondage to sin, death, and the power of the devil through the bondage Jesus experienced as He suffered and died on the cross.

Bound and Yet Free (Acts 21-24)
(Acts 22c-23)

Theme Verse
“Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you
must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church as well as the individual Christian can move forward in God’s plan despite extreme pressures and external restraints. We will also affirm that God liberated us from the bondage to sin, death, and the power of the devil through the bondage Jesus experienced as He suffered and died on the cross.

Bound and Yet Free (Acts 21-24)
(Acts 24)

Theme Verse
“Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you
must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church as well as the individual Christian can move forward in God’s plan despite extreme pressures and external restraints. We will also affirm that God liberated us from the bondage to sin, death, and the power of the devil through the bondage Jesus experienced as He suffered and died on the cross.

The Church Prevails (Acts 25-28)
(Acts 25)

Theme Verse
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see in the victorious experience of Paul how the Lord will always obtain His objective through the church as it moves forward in witness until the day of Christ’s coming.

The Church Prevails (Acts 25-28)
(Acts 26)

Theme Verse
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see in the victorious experience of Paul how the Lord will always obtain His objective through the church as it moves forward in witness until the day of Christ’s coming.

The Church Prevails (Acts 25-28)
(Acts 27)

Theme Verse
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see in the victorious experience of Paul how the Lord will always obtain His objective through the church as it moves forward in witness until the day of Christ’s coming.

The Church Prevails (Acts 25-28)
(Acts 28)

Theme Verse
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31).

Goal
In the following lessons we will see in the victorious experience of Paul how the Lord will always obtain His objective through the church as it moves forward in witness until the day of Christ’s coming.

CLOSING of STUDY: Chapters 1-28 Review

An Overview with Videos covering the sections we have discussed