Acts Reading GuideSample

Just months before the events in Acts 4, Peter and John denied any association with Jesus and fled into hiding. Now, in what seems to be a reckless disregard for their personal safety, we see Peter and John boldly speaking the name of Jesus and confronting those who ordered Jesus’s crucifixion.

These uneducated fishermen stood confidently speaking truth to the religious, political and intellectually elite of their day. What they did seems to contradict who they were. This dramatic turnaround was noted by those who listened, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

For anyone feeling under-qualified, underprepared or in over their head, this chapter offers an abundance of hope. God will always do more through you than expected. It is not education, wealth, position or political influence that makes us competent or qualified to do great things for God. Rather, it is our time spent with Jesus that makes us ready for His purposes. Spend time connecting with Jesus every day instead of worrying about your level of preparedness for the task ahead. God will make you ready for all He wants to do through you as long as you seek Him!

1) What does this passage teach us about God? How does it apply to you?

2) What qualified Peter and John to stand before the Sanhedrin and present their case? What qualified them to preach to the crowd?

3) What does boldness look like in your life? How can you be bolder at work, school or home?