Bible Activity

1. Acts 2:14,37,41

¹⁴ Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.” ³⁷Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” ⁴¹Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

• Acts 2:14; who was enabled? Peter.
• Acts 2:14,41; what did he do? Peter preached boldly to the crowd about Jesus.
• Acts 2:37,41; what was the result? Their hearts were touched. 3000 believers were added to the church and baptized.
• How can we apply this to the present time? People need to hear the truth today. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we can boldly share God’s Word with others and those that believe can repent, be saved, and serve God.

2. Acts 5:12–16

¹² The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. ¹⁴ Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. ¹⁵ As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. ¹⁶ Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

• Acts 5:12; who was enabled? The apostles.
• Acts 5:12; what did they do? They met regularly together with the people and performed signs and wonders among them.
• Acts 5:14,15,16; what was the result? More people believed; sick people and people with evil spirits were healed.
• How can we apply this to the present time? God is the same today as He was in the early church. He still heals and performs signs, wonders, and miracles today. When believers meet, God’s power is present and can work in their midst. The gift of miracles and healing are gifts of the Holy Spirit that God still uses in believers today. (See 1 Corinthians 12:4–11.)

3. Acts 7:51–60

⁵¹ “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! ⁵² Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. ⁵³ You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.” ⁵⁴ The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ⁵⁶ And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” ⁵⁷ Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him ⁵⁸ and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don't charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

• Acts 7:55; who was enabled? Stephen.
• Acts 7:51–53; what did he do? He preached the truth boldly to the Jewish leaders.
• Acts 7:54,57–60; what was the result? The leaders were furious when they heard Stephen preach God’s truth. They covered their ears, began shouting and shook their fists at him. They dragged him in the street and stoned him. Stephen endured it all because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Stephen asked God to forgive the people who persecuted him.
• How can we apply this to the present time? We may face opposition and persecution from those who are convicted by God’s Word and the light of Jesus in us. Many people around the world endure physical suffering and persecution for their faith. By God’s power we can face those who oppose us and persecute us. We can love and pray for our enemies and those who persecute us for our faith in Christ. (See Matthew 5:44.)
• Can you name someone else who asked God to forgive those who persecuted Him? Jesus.
• Where was Jesus when He did this? He was being crucified on the cross.
• Optional: have children look up and read Luke 23:33–34:

³³ When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.

Conclusion: Through Christ, God equips and enables us with all we need to accomplish His plan and to please Him. It’s up to us to step forward and trust Him!