Acts 3:1-10

Passage

1Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer at three in the afternoon. 2 And a man who was lame from birth was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. 4 Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us.” 5 So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. 8 So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

Study Questions

Acts 3:1-10

• Consider the setting: the Temple, the Beautiful Gate (famous for its imposing height and golden adornments), and the crippled beggar “lame from birth” begging for money. How are different versions of this picture played out today in our world?

  There are numerous people in the world who are chasing after material goods. They think that these things bring happiness. They are correct but happiness is fleeting and they only last a little while. However, joy is something that lasts forever and is a view on life. God provides joy to those who seek him and I can find fulfillment in following in His ways.

• Consider the beggar’s highest hopes for the day vs. what was actually available to him from Peter and John. What can I learn from this?

  The beggar reminds me of myself putting a limit to God’s power. I sometimes ask on what I want but God provides with something that I need. The beggar only knew how to beg for money because he did not know a life outside of his defect. However, God used Peter and John to restore the beggar and cleanse him of his sin. This caused the beggar to be filled with joy and gave testimony to those around him. I am thankful that God is one who gives plenty and He knows how to restore those who seek Him.

• The beggar, silver and gold, Peter and John, the “name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” .. What are some ways the elements of the passage identify me, resonate with my story, or commission me?

  There are times when I think that I need money or physical goods to alleviate the situation at hand. However, God knows better and gives the perfect response to a prayer that I needed. Every single time that this has happened, I am grateful for what He has given me as He fulfilled my every need which turned out to be far greater than what I wanted.

Free Thought

Help me to rely on you to provide me with things that I need and not I want. I know that what I want may not be what you provide as your will is always greater. Thank you Lord for always being with me and guiding me to follow your will. Please let me continue to serve you in all of my ways. Amen.