Ananias & Sapphira

Ananias & Sapphira create a plan to look good as donors to the church and keep some money for themselves. However, it doesn't go as planned.
This video has been designed to be used in a small group setting. When you have gathered your group, begin with prayer.
Icebreaker: What religious practice did you once do just because everyone else did it that way, but you have since outgrown?
Watch the video. Use the head question to help the group retell the story, then read the text, Acts 4:32-5:11. Use the remaining questions to spark some conversation.
Head Questions: get the facts straight
1. How were the believers united?
2. How were the poor provided for?
3. What did Barnabas do?
4. What did Ananias and Sapphira plan to do?
5. What was Peter’s response to Ananias?
6. What happened to Ananias?
7. What did Peter ask Sapphira?
8. What happened to Sapphira?
9. How did the people react to this?
10. Where did the believers meet?
11. Why did people put the sick where Peter’s shadow would be?
Heart Questions: dig deeper
1. The believers in Acts were united in heart and mind. How do you think the church can be in unity today?
2. What is the difference between land ownership in the early church and socialism? Were the believers required to sell all, or was it voluntary?
3. How well do you think the way the early church cared for the poor would work in our time? How do you think we should adapt this today?
4. Why do you think the believers gave Joseph the nickname Barnabas? How can you be an encourager for those around you?
5. Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira lied about the amount they sold the land for? What would they gain from that?
6. How do you think Peter knew what Ananias and Sapphira were doing? How does God give insight to us today?
7. Why do you think God’s judgment against Ananias and Sapphira was so severe? Why do you think people who do similar things today do not meet the same fate?
8. When have you tried to fool God? What happened?
9. How might great awe and respect be useful to God as the Christian church begins? How have you experienced the fear of the Lord? How has that changed your life?
10. What part do you think signs, miracles, and wonders played in the early church? What part do they play in the church today?
11. How do you think that Peter’s shadow could heal people? How might God do unusual and unexpected things today?
12. What do you learn about God from this story? About humankind?
13. How does this story turn what the world thinks upside down?
Hands Questions: application
1. What has this story taught you?
2. What did you learn to help you walk with Jesus?
3. What was the theme for today?
End in prayer.
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