「膽」從何來？
使徒行傳 4:1-31
A. 破冰：
October 1, 2008, Calgary Herald “MP Rob Anders Takes Heat for View”
加拿大聯邦政府大選正如火如荼，連任三屆，代表卡城西的國會議員Rob Anders（是一個基督徒）被他的政治對手指控他是接納一個「以基督教改變世界」的觀點，他立刻起來否定，並公開申明他「政治正確」的立場。
報導指出Rob Anders從政以先是的確有「以基督教改變世界」的抱負。 我們暫且不談他的政治智慧、依你所見、究竟是什麼(外在的壓力、內在的動力)引發他在立場上的改變?
B. 研經及討論
請先讀使徒行傳4:1-22
1. 前因及背境。
- 彼得、約翰為何被拿（3:1-10，4:1-3）？
- 『撒都該』是甚麼人，他們為何會為使徒所傳的覺得煩惱（4:1-2）？
- 公會是由那些人組成的（4:5-6）？
2. 公會受審
- 彼得及約翰在公會受審時，公開宣告了些什麼 (4:11, 19-20)、 跟據以上的背境分析、你認為這些話在「政治正確」的前題下出了甚麼問題？
- 官字兩個口，為何官府們會「無話可駁」（4:13-14）？
- 官府也驚嘆彼得及約翰的膽量(v13)、為何我們現在見到的是一個截然不同的彼得（比較他在耶穌被捕時及釘十字架時的表現）、他們的勇氣背後是代表什麼信念(v8-12)?
3. 獲釋讚美神
再讀使徒行傳4:23-31
從他們的讚美神的說話中(v24-28)，你看出他們的膽量是從那裡來？
什麼引發他們有這些改變?
C. 反醒／應用
4. 在你成長的過程中、你最怕的(或你最想討好的)是那個人? 請分享
5. 跟據彼得的經驗、人怎樣可以由「怕人」變成「怕神」，
「聽從人」變成「聽從神」的人？
今天我們是以一個甚麼力量去向一個未信的社會申明我們的信仰立場及公義的呼聲？
6. 彼得、約翰雖然被公審，被恐嚇，但被釋放後他們怎樣祈禱(v29-30)？
這對你靈命的追求有甚麼啟發？神有應允這祈禱嗎？
7. 4:19- 20 彼得、約翰異口同聲的強烈聲音，這是早期教會得力的主因。
你的小組在散會前，有勇氣異口同聲的讀這個宣言嗎？
Peter's Series
October 1, 2008, Calgary Herald “MP Rob Anders Takes Heat for View”
During the 2008 federal election campaign, three terms Calgary West Member of Parliament Rob Anders, a Christian, was being accused of his acceptance of the view “changing the world with Christianity”. He promptly denied the accusation and stressed his “political correct” stand.
The news article points out that before entering politics, Rob Anders did have the goal of “changing the world with Christianity”. Putting aside discussing Rob Anders’s political wisdom, let’s discuss what – be it external pressure, or internal force – changed his stand.
B. Study and Discussion
Please read Acts 4:1-22
1. Context and background
- Why were Peter and John being seized (3:1-10, 4:1-3)?
- Who were the Sadducees? Why were they greatly disturbed by the apostles’ teaching (4:1-2)?
- Who made up of the Sanhedrin (4:5-6)?
2. Before the Sanhedrin
- What did Peter and John proclaim before the Sanhedrin(4:11, 19-20)? Based on the context and background, how was their proclamation a problem in light of "politically correctness"?
- There are two "mouths" in the Chinese character "government". Why was it that "there was nothing they (the Sanhedrin) could say"? (4:13-14)?
- The Sanhedrin officials were astonished by Peter and John’s courage (v.13). How come the Peter we are seeing now behave dramatically differently (as oppose to the him when Jesus was arrested and crucified)? What was the belief behind their courage (vv.8-12)?
3. Praising God after their release
Read Acts 4:23-31
- In Peter and John’s prayer (v24-28), where, do you think, their courage came from? What caused the changes?
C. Reflection and Application
4. In your upbringing, who did you fear (or want to please) the most? Please share you experience.
5. According to Peter’s experience, how can one change from “fear people” to “fear God” and from “obey people” to “obey God”?
Today, what strength do we rely upon to declare our stand of faith and our cry of righteousness to the non-believing world?
6. Despite the trials and the threats, how did Peter and John pray after they were released (vv.29-30)? How did that inspire you in your spiritual pursuit? Did God answer that prayer?
7. Peter and John's courageous reply in vv. 4:19-20 were the primary reason for the strength behind the early church. Before the end of this gathering, do you, as a group, have the courage to proclaim this declaration?
No comments:
Post a Comment