Grow Guide | April 26, 2026
Text Study for Sunday, April 26, 2026
Series Theme: Continue to Believe
Reading: Acts 3:1-10
CONNECTING QUESTIONS
What was a nickname you had as a young person? How did you get it?
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God of life, we celebrate the good news that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Make us confident in the truth of Christ’s resurrection and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
CONTEXT
Our sermon series will examine how the disciples and early believers CONTINUE TO BELIEVE. What did it mean for them and what can we learn from their experience of being sent into the world? As Christians, we carry the peace of Jesus in our hearts and are compelled to share it. We are to share Jesus with everyone! Through our kindness, to be bold in our knowledge of Jesus' resurrection, whether we've seen it not. We are to honor the many gifts we each have for the good of the kingdom. We are to stand side-by-side with those who are not like us. We are to lean into the holy spirit's guidance and CONTINUE TO BELIEVE!
From Dr Karoline Lewis at EntertheBible.org:
Part of the message Peter delivers to the people of Jerusalem emphasizes that God’s salvation would come through a “prophet like Moses” from among the Jews, as promised in Deuteronomy 18:15 (Acts 3:17-26). God had also promised that in Abraham “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). God keeps these promises in Jesus of Nazareth and his community of followers. When Jesus returns, there will be a time of “universal restoration” (Acts 3:21) when all families of the earth will be fully blessed. Such present and future blessing, refreshment, and restoration are connected with repentance, whether from ignorance or wickedness, so that sins are “wiped out” and communal fellowship may flourish.
LOOK AT THE BOOK
How is it with your spirit this week?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
The author of the book, Stranger God, Richard Beck, invites us to pay attention this Easter season to how Jesus may show up to us in disguise. Where might have you seen Jesus in disguise so far? Richard Beck is here this week, how will you make time to engage?
Open to Acts 1:9. Notice the concentric circles of relationships Acts describes. Look at a map to see where these physical locations are located.
Acts 1:9 sets the stage for the entire book fo Acts. What are the disciples gifted?
Jump to Acts 3. In verse one, what are Peter and John doing? Notice they did not give up their Jewish religious heritage. Why?
In verse two, whom do they meet? What were some words you were taught as a young person to describe a person in these circumstances?
Today, we have become more aware and concerned for how our language lifts up or puts down people. A few guidelines for your thinking about relating to this passage:
Ask for Preference: Always ask the individual how they want to be described, as some prefer person-first while others prefer identity-first (e.g., Deaf community).
Focus on the Person: Emphasize the individual rather than the condition, treating disability as just one part of their experience rather than a defining tragedy.
Use Neutral Terms: Use terms like "person with a disability" or "disabled person" rather than "differently-abled" or "special needs".
Avoid Pity/Victim Language: Do not use phrases like "suffering from," "afflicted with," "victim of," or "confined to a wheelchair".
This is a healing story. Do you think healings as described in the Bible happen today? How does healing happen today?
In verse six, what elements are connected to Peter’s healing of the man?
Notice that healing is not about Peter. It’s also not about the man, his efforts, his life, but the healing is about God.
Do you think Peter was surprised? Why or why not?
What was the man who was healed’s response? How do we share that joy?
In what ways can Easter Lutheran Church become a place for people to practice healing? How might healing happen at Easter or through the people of Easter?
How is Jesus good news for us this week?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
TAKING IT HOME
What needs to be healed in our community that we can pray for?
Sending Prayer
Holy God, you reveal your glory in Jesus Christ and make your people one in his name. Transform us through him and shine your light on the whole world, that we would move into the future you have for us with confidence and joy in his holy name. Amen.