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Group Discussion
Questions for facilitating dynamic discussion
Easter 2025
April 19,2025
Week 1: Easter
Jeff Griffin
Christ is risen! This proclamation is central to Easter, and more importantly, to our faith as Christians. Have you ever thought of what it takes to believe in the Resurrection? Or how you can be assured of the Resurrection? Jeff addresses that in his Easter sermon, and we’re going to look more closely at it in our study this week
Have you ever fallen for a hoax (like an April Fool’s prank)? At what point did you recognize the deception?
1. Read Acts 5:26-32. The apostles were brought in for questioning. What were they asked (or better yet, what were they accused of)? What answer did Peter and the other apostles give (v.29)? What is the implication for us?
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. (Acts 5:29, NLT)
2. What did the apostles say they were witnesses of (v.30-31)? If you think about it, it is easiest to stand behind the truth of personal experience, and also harder to refute. If you were asked about what you’ve witnessed God do in your life what would you say?
3. Read Acts 5:33-39. Gamaliel recounts the cases of two previous revolutionaries and what came of their followers when they were killed. His remarks suggest that Jesus’ followers will soon scatter too, and indeed they had. Read Jesus’ prophecy about this in John 16:33 and what happened at His arrest according to Matthew 26:56. How did the resurrection change this?
“Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56b, NIV)
4. Now read Acts 5:40-42. The apostles were beaten and given an order by the Sanhedrin. What was that order? Does it sound familiar (look at v.28)? How did the apostles respond to this?
5. Jeff talked in his sermon about 3 dynamics that can break someone who is lying: Pain, Power, & Penalty. The apostles weren’t cowed from sharing the good news by these. How about you? Which of these dynamics (probably to a lesser degree) might you encounter in the next week or two when it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection power in your life? How can you be prepared to obey God and not human authority?
No one will suffer willingly for a lie. But sometimes it can feel harder to tell the truth. Pray for your group that they would be bold to share the account of what they’ve witnessed God do in their lives.
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:39, NIV)