June 6, 2021

Ridgeline Study Prompts

 Acts 5:1-11

Prayer and Preparation

Before reading the text spend a few moments preparing your heart through prayer. Ask God for the margin to listen to His Spirit and the mindset to put to action what He puts on your heart. Then take a few minutes reviewing chapter 4, verses 23-37. These verses set the context as you continue to read Acts 5:1-11.

Study

How do Ananias and Sapphira’s actions compare to those of the others, like Barnabas, at the end of chapter 4? What is similar? What is different?

What do you think motivated Ananias and Sapphira to act the way they did?

Jesus called out the Pharisees for hypocrisy and for wanting to be known and praised for their righteous acts. This story shows us the same hypocrisy was present in the New Testament church and that, even in a healthy Christian community, it is possible to live in secret and unrepentant sin. Even so, none of us are perfect; what is the difference in sinning the way the any Christ-follower does, and the way Ananias and Sapphira sinned?

Application

What have you learned or been reminded of in studying this text? How can you apply these truths to your personal walk with the Lord, as well as your relationships within our faith family?