Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)
Now Peter and John were
going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a man
lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the
temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the
temple. [3] Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to
receive alms. [4] And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said,
"Look at us." [5] And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to
receive something from them. [6] But Peter said, "I have no silver and
gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, rise up and walk!" [7] And he took him by the right hand and
raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. [8] And
leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them,
walking and leaping and praising God.
[9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] and
recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking
for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened
to him.
Questions
- If a stranger were to ask you for a handout, what would you most likely do? Why?
- Why did the crippled man spend every day at the gate called Beautiful? (3:2)
- What did the beggar do when he saw Peter and John approaching? (3:3)
- What did Peter say to the beggar? (3:4-6)
- In what ways did the crippled man respond to Peter’s words? (3:5,7-8)
- How did the people feel about what had happened to the crippled beggar? (3:9-10)
- What specific attitudes toward the weak and needy need to change before God can effectively use a person to help them?
- When have you witnessed God’s miraculous healing power at work?
- How do you need to change so that God can work through you in a powerful way?
