Session 7: New Testament

Session 7: The Acts of the Apostles

Aims

By the end of this session you should be able to:

give an overview of the themes and structure of the book of Acts
state approximately when the book was written and who the author may have been
give an account of the main themes of the book and how they relate to your faith journey and ministry as well as that of the church as a whole
reflect on how the model of the early church can help you to deliver the Diocesan vision values of generous faith, courageous hope and lifegiving love.

Prayer

Father of Lights,

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet

and a light to my path.

Guide me in my voyage

towards knowing Your words of Life.

Heal me and restore me.

Amen

Introduction

Again, this session is made up of three parts: Part One is a short overview of the book from Bibledex with some questions for reflection; Part two is a video of just over 20 minutes which has been split into several sections so you can pause and reflect on the questions underneath before continuing. Part 3 is another overview video which will help you to consolidate and deepen what you have learned in Part 2.

There is some overlap and repetition in all the videos - this is deliberate as repetition is what makes things 'stick' in our minds and it's how we learn best.

Please treat the questions as a buffet and choose one or two that interest you to think about rather than trying to do all of them.

If you'd like to watch the Bible Project Overview of the book you can find it in the Resources Section, but this is optional.

Part One - Bibledex

Watch the video opposite then think about the following questions:

Did you ever realise that Saul's name was not actually changed, he was known by both names, Saul and Paul?

Had you noticed that the word 'Christian' has not been used until Acts 11? Do you know what the followers of Jesus had been called until then?

How difficult do you think it would have been for Paul to have come to terms with the fact that God wanted him to take the gospel to the Gentiles as well as the Jews?

Make a note of your thoughts in your Learning Journal.

Part 2 - Considering Acts

Watch the video below then select and consider one question only from those beneath and note your thoughts in your journal for discussion in your Learning Support Group.(Please note there are no transcripts available for these videos).

Questions for Reflection

0:00 - 1.55 - Heaven and Earth

What do you think about Wright's statement that heaven and earth have already come together? Have you ever thought of it in those terms? What do you think about 'heaven' and where do you think your images and beliefs came from?

1.56 - end The Kingdom of God

I once heard the brilliant theologian and wise man of God, John Hull, say that escaping hell was a really rubbish reason for becoming a Christian and that it didn't say much about the loving God we serve. He argued that it's not all about, or even primarily about, what happens after we die. Wright's statements in this video lend some weight to that idea. What do you think about it and what does 'the kingdom of God' mean to you?

Now watch the next video and again select and consider one question only from those beneath and note your thoughts in your journal for discussion in your Learning Support Group.

Questions for Reflection

0:00 - 5.48 You will be My Witnesses

What do you think about Wright's statement that the whole task of the church is summed up in verse 8?

A well known saying (which is ascribed to St Francis) is 'Go and preach the gospel. If necessary use words'. How do we 'tell people who Jesus is?' Do you think words are always necessary? Write down your responses in your journal for discussion in your Learning Support Group.

5:49 - end The Ascension

What do you think about the bodily ascension of Jesus? The Church still doesn't agree on this issue - are you closer to Wright's view or Marcus Borg's? It's OK to not know - none of us does, we can only theorise while we are on this side of heaven! More importantly, what does the ascension mean to you?

If you would like to see some of the other videos in this series (there are 26 in total) you can find them at the link in the Resources section below.

Part 3 - Going Deeper

You must now do one or the other of the tasks below and then note your thoughts in your learning journal for discussion in your Learning Support Group and to inform the Reflect section below.

Either watch the 50 minute video opposite
Or read Chapter 13 of 'Exploring the New Testament Volume 1' on the Hub - instructions for how to access this can be found here

If you would like to, download and read the documents in the Resources section below - but this is optional.

Take the quiz here (this is required)

Spotlight on Doctrine

In the Nicene creed (which is the version usually used in services of Holy Communion) we affirm that Jesus rose from the dead and 'ascended into heaven'. What effect has your study in this session had on your thinking about that proclamation? We also affirm, at the end of the Nicene creed, our belief in the 'Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life'. What effect has your study in this session had on your thinking about the Holy Spirit and the gifts given through the Spirit to the Church (the people of God) and their purpose?

Spotlight on Spirituality

In the late 19th Century, William Seymour, the son of former slaves, initiated what is now known as the Pentecostal movement from among the urban black poor. Seeking freedom, the worship in this new spirituality became increasingly 'spontaneous, emotional and bodily involving and marked by powerful signs of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues. The early Pentecostals believed they were at the heart of God's plan to reawaken world Christianity to the gifts of the Spirit' (Thompson, Ross, 2008, SCM Studyguide: Christian Spirituality). This spirituality is clearly rooted in the coming of the spirit at Pentecost in Chapter 2 of Acts. How do you feel about this yourself? Have you experienced this kind of worship and how did it make you feel? If you haven't, how do you feel about that? Note your thoughts in your journal.

Reflect

What has struck you most from this session?
How has your learning challenged you to grow in your faith and ministry?
How might you, in your life and ministry, deliver, and encourage others to live out, the Diocesan Vision outcomes of generous faith, courageous hope and lifegiving love?

In no more than 300 words, post your thoughts on the Forum

Pray

Pray about what you have learned in this session, thanking God for any new insights into this book.

Lift to God anyone who has come into your thoughts as you have studied.

Write your thoughts in your learning journal.

Something Practical To Do

What evidence can you see in the life of your church of the call to be witnesses to all people? Do you think there could be more, and, if so, what things might be added?

How do you work this out in your own Christian witness at the moment?

If you like, share some of what you have found on the discussion board in the Forum