A Picture of the Coming Kingdom

OUTLINE

• Aeneas (v. 9:32 – 35)
• Tabitha (v. 9:36 – 43)

QUESTIONS

1. What do miracles show you about who God is? What do miracles communicate about His character? God is a God of Miracles (Psalm 77:14). Has God ever done a miracle in your life?  What was it and how did it impact you?
2. Read Acts 9:35 + 42. Why do we tend to fixate on the sign and miss the substance? What were the true, eternal miracles in the passage? How are you tempted to focus on the sign and not the substance?
3. Read Acts 9:32 – 35. Where has sin had a paralyzing impact on your life? What would it look like to trust that Christ in you is enough to stand and walk? What stories of healing (spiritual or physical) have you seen in those around you?
4. Read Acts 9:36 – 43. Where has sin produced death in your life relationally, emotionally, mentally and spiritually? What would it look like to invite Jesus into those areas, asking for His life giving help? (John 10:10)

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Acts 9:32-43 NASB

³² Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. ³⁴ Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. ³⁵ And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. ³⁷ And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” ³⁹ So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.