The Price of Pretending

Community Groups:

Read Acts 4:32-5:11 as a group.

What was the church doing in Acts 4:42-37? How is that in line with the Great Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)? Is our church characterized by these things? Explain.

How can we lovingly care for each other better here at Bethany?

What were Ananias and Sapphira guilty of? In what way was it a lie to the church? In what way was it an offense to God?

What did Peter mean when he said that their hearts were filled with Satan in Acts 5:3? How does that contrast with what it means to be filled with the Spirit?

Why do you think that God’s judgement was so severe on Ananias and Sapphira? What does that tell us about how he regards hidden sin in the lives of believers?

Acts 5:11 says that “great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things.” What should our response be to this passage?

Read Acts 5:12-42 in preparation for next Sunday.

Family Time (For dads, moms and kids):

What does God know?

Does God know what we are thinking? What about what we are feeling?

Can you lie to God? Explain.

What should we do when we realize that we have sinned against God? Read 1 John 1:9.

How does God look at us after confess our sins to him?

Read Acts 5:12-42 with your children in preparation for next week.

Pray for each other.