A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF ACTS.

Place in the Bible:

Fifth New Testament book; first book of history.
Written by:
Luke.
Special features:
The only book to tell in detail what happened between the ascension of
Jesus and the new Christian fellowships.
Jesus and the book of Acts:
In the sermons and testimonies in Acts Jesus is presented as the Saviour
who is now alive and active through the Holy Spirit after the resurrection.
“Salvation is found in no-one else” (4:12).
Teaching:
Acts is part two of Luke‟ gospel, showing how the message of Jesus spread
from Jerusalem through the Roman Empire until it arrived in Rome itself.
There is a strong emphasis on the activity and transforming power of the
Holy Spirit.
A verse to remember:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles‟ teaching and to the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
THE POWER OF THE EARLY CHURCH.
Three thousand added to the Church-Acts 2:41-47
A lame man is healed-Acts 3:1-11
Peter‟s second sermon-Acts 3:12-26
Peter and John imprisoned-Acts 4:1-4
Their bold testimony –Acts 4:5-14
They refused to be silenced-Acts 4:15-22
The believers unite in prayer-Acts 4:23-31
The self –sacrifice of the believers-Acts 4:32-37
Death of Ananias and Sapphira-Acts 5:1-11
Many sign and wonders-Acts 5:12-16
FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION
Although the Church of the 20th century is growing by leaps and bounds,
there are still too many differences between it and the early Church for us to
remain comfortable. For example, In Acts, one sermon brought 3,000
converts. Today we have to preach 3,000 sermons to win one convert. What
other differences can you think of? Pray that God will help us close this gap.
“Lord, I have heard of your fame: I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.
Renew them in our day, in our time make them known..........”) Hab.3:2,
NIV)
STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR
The apostles imprisoned but set free-Acts 5:17-25
They testify to the council-Acts 5:26-33
The advice of Gamely-Acts 5:34-39
The apostles are released –Acts 5:40-42
Deacons are appointed –Acts 6:1-7
Stephen is falsely accused-Acts 6:8-15
His defence before the council-Acts 7:1-50
He reproves the Jewish leaders-Acts 7:51-53
Stephen‟s martyrdom AD 35
Stephen‟s martyrdom-Acts 7:54-60
FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION
Someone said: “You can‟t be the salt of the earth without causing someone
to smart.” Stephen stood up for truth, and lost his life because of it. How
important is truth to you? May be it‟s important enough to live by, but is it
important enough to die for?
“........everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted.”
(2 Tim.3:12, NIV)
THE CONVERSION OF SOUL
Saul persecutes the Church –Acts 8:1-4
Philip‟s ministry in Samaria-Acts 8:5-13
Simon‟s hypocrisy-Acts 8:14-25
Philip and Ethiopian eunech-Acts 8:26-40
Conversion of Saul AD 37
Saul‟s conversion-Acts 9:1-9
He preaches Christ-Acts 9:10-22
His escape-Acts 9:23-25
His early experiences-Galatians 1:17-19
Barnabas befriends him-Acts 9:26-29
He is sent to Tarsus-Acts 9:30-31

FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION

What is one of the biggest impediments to the spreading of Gospel?
Bigotry!Peter resisted the idea that Gentiles should participate in God‟s
salvation until the Lord well and truly re-orientated him. Any bigotry in you?
Then take care –Go might have to turn you upside down too!
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, „Love your neighbour as
yourself,‟ you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are
convicted by the law as law-breakers.” (Jas.2:8-9,NIV).

THE LETTER OF JAMES

Church established at Antioch-Acts 11:19-24
Paul brought to Antioch-Acts 11:25-26
Gift sent to Jerusalem-Acts 11:27-30
James (John‟s brother) killed-Acts 12:1-2
James letter written AD 45
The letter of James: Temptations try faith-James 1:1-15
Go‟ds good gifts-James 1:16-18
Doers of the Word-James 1:19-27
No respect of persons-James 2:1-13
Necessity of good works-James 2:14-26
Use of the tongue-James 3:1-12
True wisdom-James 3:13-18
FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION
Perhaps the greatest lesson that comes out of James‟ writings is his
reminder of the power of the tongue. That “little piece of called it, takes some
taming! In fact the scripture says that no man can tame it. No man perhaps,
but with God all things are possible. Have you given God your tongue for
taming yet?
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11,
NIV)

A BIRD’ EYE VIEW OF JAMES

Place in the Bible:
Twentieth New Testament book‟ fifteenth letter.
Written by:
James, thought to be the brother of Jesus.
Jesus and the letter of James:
This letter has fifteen mirror images of Jesus‟ teaching given in the Sermon
on the Mount.
Matthew 5:10-12, for example is reflected in James 1:2, “Consider it pure,
my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...”.
Teaching:
James points out that a Christian‟s belief should be exactly matched by
Christian behaviour. James links faith and works together, since works and
good deeds done for Christ in His name should always naturally flow out of
faith in Christ. A verse to remember: “What goodis it, my brothers, if a man
claims to have faith but has no deeds?...faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

PETER’S DELIVERANCE
Evil that cripple true faith-James 4:1-17
Rich unbelievers denounced-James 5:1-6
Exhortation to patience-James 5:7-12
Encouragement to prayer and confessing of faults-James 5:13-20
Peter again imprisoned and freed-Acts 12:3-17
Herod‟s rage-Acts 12:18-19
Death of Herod-Acts 12:20-23
Paul‟s first missionary journey AD 45-47
Paul and Barnabas sent out-Acts 12:24-25, 13:1-3
They preach in Cyprus-Acts 13:4-12
Mark leaves-Acts 13:13
What a sad comment it is on human nature, that although the Church
prayed for Peter‟s miraculous deliverance, they seemed unable to believe it
when God brought it about. In fact, Peter appeared to have more trouble
getting into the prayer meeting than he did in getting out of prison! How
ready are you for a miracle?
“Jesus replied, „What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Lk
18:27, NIV).

PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

Paul preaches at Antioch (Pisidia)-Acts 13:14-41
The Gentiles receive the message-Acts 13:42-49
The Jews drive out Paul and Barnabas-Acts 13:50-52
They minister in Iconium and Lystra-Acts 14:1-18
Paul is stoned, but revives-Acts 14:19-20
They return to Antioch-Acts 14:21-26
They report back to the church-Acts 14:27-28
The council at Jerusalem-Acts 15:1-12
Galatians 2:7-10

FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION

What makes a missionary? Crossing the sea? No-seeing the cross! A
missionary (a word, incidentally, you‟ll not find in the Bible) simply means‟
someone with a mission‟. As you study Paul‟s missionary strategy, spare a
moment to consider your own. If you are a Christian, you are „someone with
a mission‟. It may lie across the sea, but, on the other hand, it may lie
across the street!
“Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on
towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards
in Christ Jesus.‟ (Phil.3:13-14, NIV).

PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

The decision of the Jerusalem council-Acts 15:13-35
Second missionary journey AD 50-45
PETER VISITS Antioch-Galatians 2:11-14
Paul and Barnabas separate-Acts 16:1-15
He casts out a spirit of divination-Acts 16:16-21
Paul and Silas are imprisoned-Acts 16:22-26
The Philippian jailer-Acts 16: 27-34
Paul and Silas freed-Acts 16:35-40
They preach at Thessalonica and Berea-Acts 17:1-13
Paul goes Athens-Acts 17:14-15

FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION

Paul was not only an effective disciple, but an effective disciple. He took
Silas and disciple him in the methods of the Gospel. Yesterday we asked you
to consider your own missionary strategy. Part of that might be to establish
some new Christian in the faith. Ask God to show you someone whom you
can disciple, then begin to pray for and share with that person as much and
as often as you can.
“Don‟t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an
example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”(1
Tim.4:12, NIV)

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF

1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS
Place in the Bible:
Thirteenth and fourteenth New
Testament books; eighth and ninth letters.
Written by:
Paul.
Special feature:
The second coming of Christ.
Jesus and the letters of 1 and 2
Thessalonians:
Jesus‟ return is mentioned over three hundred times in the New Testament,
and in 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 it is meant to encourage Paul‟s readers.
Teaching:
1 Thessalonians is Paul‟s letter of encouragement to a group of very new
Christians. 2 Thessalonians was written to counter the erroneous ideas of
false teachers who appear to have convinced some Thessalonian Christians
that the day of the Lord had already arrived. Paul tells them that this is
untrue and that certain events will occur prior to Christ‟s return.
“Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient
with everyone”
(1 Thess.5:14).

PAUL TEACHES IN GREECE

FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION
Someone has described the task of tracing Paul‟s missionary journeys
through the Ne Testament as “like tracking a bleeding hare across the
snow”. It seemed that wherever he went, he suffered great persecution and,
at times, sustained severe bodily harm. What was the secret of his strong
spiritual drive? Turn to 2 Corinthians 5:14 and see. Is this your secret too?
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
(2 Tim.4:7, NIV)
THE THESSALONIAN LETTERS
FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION
Are you aware that Thessalonica were comparatively new believers? Yet in
the short space of these letters, Paul touches on some of the deepest
doctrines of the faith. How sad that so many of today‟s Christians are still
„spiritual babes, living on „milk‟ rather than „meat‟. Is it time you grew up?

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reason like
a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” (I Cor.13:11,
NIV)

FOR THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION

Wherever Paul went, he left behind him men and women upon whose lives
he had made a tremendous spiritual impact. You may not be able to make
as much impact as Paul, but you ought to be able to make some impact.
Someone once wrote: “The world doesn‟t need a definition of religion so
much as a demonstration of it.”How much impact are you making upon the
people the people you meet day by day?
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,
but with a demonstration of the Spirit‟s power.” ( 1 Cor.2:4, NIV)