Introduction: We had a great time last quarter when all of our
lessons were on the topic of prayer! This week our lesson turns again
to this topic. Since studying prayer is such a blessing, we will
assume our lesson authors are looking for more blessings for us and
not suffering from forgetfulness! With that mind-set let’s dive into
our study!
- The Arrest
- Read Acts 12:1-3. What kind of time was this for the
early church? - Why was Peter arrested? Because he had violated the
law? (It seems Herod was a politician who decided
what to do not based on the law, but what was popular
at the moment.) - Who is this James who was killed? (He
is one of the
twelve disciples, one of the “sons of thunder.” (Mark
3:17) One who was involved with Peter and James in
Jesus’ transfiguration. ( Mark 9:1-8) He was one of
Jesus’ closest associates on earth.) - We know why Herod would want to kill
James, why would
the Jews care about killing James? (This shows that
Christianity had not died with Jesus. Rather, it was
still considered a serious threat to Jewish
authority.) - There are lots of religions in the world. Why
would the Jews care about this new one? (This
was not just “any” religion. It was one which
proclaimed the Jewish Messiah had come and the
Jews failed to recognize Him. Worse, the leaders
considered Him an enemy and killed Him.) - If you were Peter, what would you be thinking as you
were arrested? (Jesus, James … Peter?) - Read Acts 12:4. Why were so many men guarding Peter?
(Herod must have thought that he was in danger of getting
away. One commentary explained that they had four shifts
of four soldiers guarding him.) - Was Herod afraid of the supernatural?
- Why would Herod want a public trial?
(This whole
thing was to boost his popularity.) - The Prayers
- Read Acts 12:5. Why were so many people praying for Peter?
(They were no doubt afraid he would be killed.) - The text says they were “earnestly” praying to God.
Would you say your prayers are earnest? Or, are theypretty much the same every time — said without much
thought? - Have you ever had a conversation with
someone who did
not seem to be paying attention to you? How did you
like that? Is that the way you treat God in the
majority of your prayers? - The Rescue
- Read Acts 12:6-7. We see that Peter is not only in prison,
but he is also chained to his captors! Notice two things
about the timing in these verses. First, Peter is sleeping
the night before his trial. What does this tell you about
Peter’s faith? - Why wasn’t Peter up earnestly praying? Or, worrying?
Or, doing something during the last hours of his
life? - Second, the angel rescued Peter the
night before the
trial? Why wait so long? Is God a procrastinator?
What is going on? - What do you think about the “bed side”
manner of this
angel? He comes at the last minute, hits you on the
side to wake you up (whatever happened to soft
singing?) and then tells you “Quick, get up?” Sounds
like the army, right? Since the angel was there, why
did they have to be quick? - Read Acts 12:8-9. Consider what the angel is saying to
Peter and what he said in verse 7. What would you guess is
Peter’s state of mind? (It seems obvious he is very
sleepy. Hitting him on the side seems to show he was hard
to awaken. Telling him “Quick, get up” sounds like he was
moving slowing. Telling him to put on his clothes and his
shoes and fasten his coat all sound like instructions to a
child. Peter must have been “out of it.”) - Verse 9 tells us that Peter thought he was dreaming.
Does this reflect the state of his mind or the state
of his faith? (I do not think Peter questioned God’s
ability to rescue him. This reflects his state of
mind.) - Read Acts 12:10. When you get to heaven, what kind of
power will you have? Will you need electric garage door
openers? Will you need a garage? - Consider the angel’s actions. He came late and left
early (after one street). Why? Does this prove God is
our Father and not our Mother? (This is the way I
think of a father – helps you out of the tough spots
and then puts you back on your feet until the next
time you get in trouble.) - Read Acts 12:11-12. Here is the proof that Peter was “out
of it.” It says he “came to his senses” outside the
prison. Since the guards never “came to their senses”
while the angel and Peter were leaving, do you think the
angel had some sort of “stunning” presence (see Matthew
28:4)rather than Peter just being a sleepy head? - What does this text reveal that Peter thought might
be his future? (It doesn’t tell us Peter’s view, but
it suggests Peter thought that the Jewish leaders
were anticipating his death.) - When it dawns on Peter that he is
free, and he has
escaped being killed, he goes to the house of John
Mark. We were told earlier that the people were
“earnestly” praying. Does this prove it? (They are at
least putting in the hours — they are praying late
at night!) - The “Pray-ers”
- Read Acts 12:13-16. There are three reactions here of
those who are praying. The girl’s reaction of belief and
joy, the “earnest pray-ers” reaction that it is nuts to
believe their prayers have been answered and the reaction
that this must be Peter’s angel. Which reaction is the
best? - The last time I was with you I preached the Mothers’
Day sermon. In it I mentioned Zechariah and the visit
from Gabriel. ( Luke 1:8-17) Do you remember what
Zechariah had been praying about? (He was praying for
a son. ( Luke 1:13)) Do you recall that when Gabriel
told him his prayer had been answered he exclaimed,
“How do I now you aren’t lying?” ( Luke 1:18) Why do
you think people react like this to answered earnest
prayer? - How much faith did the pray-ers have who
declared Rhoda (the young girl) nuts? - Why would they think the “person” at the door was
Peter’s angel? ( Matthew 18:10 records a statement by
Jesus about children that suggests they have a
specific guardian angel. Barnes says the Jews had a
common belief that each individual had assigned to
him at birth an angel whose job it was to guard and
defend him through life. Barnes suggests that
apparently this group thought that Peter’s guardian
angel had assumed Peter’s voice and manner!) - Read Acts 12:17. Was there a commotion among those who had
been praying for Peter? (Yes!) - Why do you think Peter told them to be quiet? (He
wanted to speak to them. However, I think the main
reason was he did not want them to attract attention
to him. He left that home right away which suggests
that he thought it was better to stay on the move.) - Notice that Peter gives them a message
for “James and
the brothers.” Why? (This James is the brother of
Jesus and one of the leaders ( Galatians 2:9), if not
the leader, of the early church. (See Acts 21:18)
Peter thus shows a concern for the church
organization. He wants the leaders to know he is OK.)
- Read Acts 12:18-19. How do you explain that the prayers
for Peter’s life got 16 other men killed? (God saved
Peter. Herod killed the 16.) - It says Herod cross-examined these soldiers. What
believable story would you tell if you were one of
them? - Let’s consider the irony of this story for just a moment.
The fellow who is scheduled to die the next day is not
praying, he is sleeping. The people who are praying do not
believe their prayers have been answered. - Since our lesson is about prayer, what lesson do we
draw about prayer from this? - Does this show that those who pray
have less faith?
(Peter is sleeping because he is comfortable with his
life being in God’s hands. The believers are not
comfortable with the idea that Peter might be
killed.) - Read James 4:2. James says we don’t
have because we
don’t ask. How do you fit this into our story? (The
believers got what they asked for. Peter also got
what he asked for (God’s will).) - Friend, do you find it hard to believe that God will
answer your prayers? God reveals that He answers prayers
even when those praying are surprised to get what they
requested! Why not experiment with prayer and let God
surprise you? - Next Week: Martyrs and Their Murderers
