Summary: The record of an Ethiopian conversion in Acts 8 demonstrates three important questions everyone should ask.

Questions:

1. How would Americans be different if the Christian message hadn't influenced our history? How would your life be different?

2. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of humility (1 Peter 5:6 for example). Why is it essential?

3. How do you connect with people who are not like you?

4. Who have you been focused on recently (trying to bring them closer to the Lord)?

Summary: Just as Jesus had polarizing responses to His ministry, so we too will find some love what we say and stand for, while others will hate us for the very same things.

Questions:

1. Why did Peter and John heal the lame man? See John 5:36; 10:37-38 and Acts 2:22.

2. Summarize Peter's message after the healing.

3. Why were the priests and religious leaders so mad at Peter and John? Why do some people today still get so upset at Christians sharing their faith?

4. How did Peter and John respond to the commands that they stop talking about Jesus? How should we respond to pressure against our faith?

Summary: the early church was made up of people who were drastically changed. They were first cut to the heart and then devoted to a whole new way of living.

Questions:

1. When you became a Christian - were you "cut to the heart"? What kind of things get to you at that level?

2. The early Christians devoted themselves to four things (found in verse 42). What were those four things? Do you have a devotion to all four?

3. Why was their teaching and standards of living based on what the Apostles taught? Does that imply that the standards of Christianity are fixed (ie- do not change)? See Jude 1:3 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.