Peter and John face increasing opposition from the religious and political leaders, and find themselves in prison. When an angel shows up to free them, he gives them one instruction: go tell people about “this life.” This phrase is important to understanding what it means to follow Jesus. When God saves us, the very life of Jesus becomes our life, a life that comes with both blessings and challenges.

Discussion Questions

One of the primary ways that the Bible speaks about salvation is the idea of “death to life.”
How have you seen this idea play out in your own life and salvation? What does it mean to you personally that Jesus’ very life has become your life?
Of the blessings highlighted in this passage (forgiveness, Holy Spirit, restoration, perseverance, community), which one are you most grateful for? Which one do you need to spend more time thinking about?
What distractions, fears, etc. keep you from regularly experiencing the life of Jesus in your own life? What changes do you need to make in order to live the life that Jesus has for you?
As our culture pushes historic, orthodox Christianity to the margins, how can we cultivate an attitude of “rejoicing that we would be counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name”? How can we suffer like Jesus, without arguing and complaining?

Prayer Points

Pray that we would experience the life of Jesus in greater measure as individuals and as a
church community.
Pray that we would rejoice in the blessings of Jesus’ life, and that we would embrace the
challenges with an attitude of rejoicing.