Lesson Date: July 3, 2011

Focal Scripture Passage: Acts 5:1-42

AIM: To lead adults to an understanding that the things we say produce consequences in our lives, and to commit themselves to speaking the truth.

 

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Before class: If possible, bring a copy of the Ten Commandments to class.

When class begins: As a follow-up from last week’s lesson, ask the class members if they have spent more time with Jesus this week.  Ask for any brief testimonies about the results of this.

Point out your copy of the Ten Commandments.  Tell the class that the Ten Commandments have become a point of contention in our country in recent years.  Certain groups have tried to remove them from public places, while other groups have tried to make them prominent again.  The Ten Commandments are seldom obeyed in our society.

Read the ninth commandment (“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”).  Tell the class that truth is a vanishing commodity in America.  From the highest level of our government down to the average citizen, people commonly lie whenever they think it will benefit them.  Tell the class that in today’s lesson they will examine the issue of truthfulness, and the consequences of the things we say.

 

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1.     Review.  Briefly review the book of Acts using the following outline:

a.      Jesus told His disciples to carry the gospel throughout the world.

b.     On the day of Pentecost God performed the miracle of tongues; Jews of all nationalities heard and received the gospel of Jesus Christ.

c.      Through Peter and John, God healed a lame man.  This caused a great stir and Peter got to preach the gospel.  Thousands more were saved.

d.     Peter and John were arrested, giving them the opportunity to boldly proclaim before the Jewish religious leaders that the only way one can be right with God is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

e.      At the end of last week’s lesson we saw that the believers were providing for one another’s needs by selling property and turning the money over to the apostles.

2.     Ananias and Sapphira Lied to God.

a.      Read Acts 5:1-4. 

b.     Explain to the class that Ananias and Sapphira sold some land; they brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet, just as other believers were doing (see Acts 4:35).  However, they only brought part of the money but they said it was all the money.  They kept back part of the money for themselves but told people they were giving all the money.  They did this in order to look spiritual.  Pride motivates one to want to appear spiritual before others. 

c.      Ask: “In doing this, to whom did Ananias lie?” (God).

d.     We must remember that our church leaders speak and act on God’s behalf.  If we lie to them about our spiritual commitment, we are actually lying to God.

3.     The Consequence of Ananias’ Lie.

a.      Ask a volunteer to read Acts 5:5-6.

b.     Ask: “What happened to Ananias as a result of his lie?” (he immediately dropped dead).

c.      Ask: “What was the reaction of those that heard of his death?” (fear).

d.     Using the notes on verse 5 in the Sunday School Teacher Book (pages 27-28), explain why God killed Ananias for lying.

e.      Note that God still can kill people for lying, if He so chooses.

4.     The Consequences of Sapphira’s Lie.

a.      Ask a volunteer to read Acts 5:7-10.

b.     Ananias’ wife Sapphira arrived three hours later.  Peter gave her the opportunity to tell the truth or to join in her husband’s lie.

c.      Ask: “What did Sapphira do?  What happened to her?” (she willingly participated in her husband’s lie and she also died).

d.     Ask: “Do you think other believers would be tempted to lie after these two deaths?” (no).

5.     The Results of Ananias’ and Sapphira’s Lies.

a.      Ask the class to listen for the results of these sudden deaths, as you read Acts 5:11-16. 

b.     Ask: “What did God do in the church after he eliminated the liars?” (fear, more miraculous signs, unity, counterfeits stayed out of the church, multitudes of genuine converts joined the church, the church was highly respected, and many sick people were healed).

c.      Tell the class that these things were answers to the believers’ prayers in Acts 4:29-30.

6.     Persecution.

a.      Ask: “How do you think the proud and powerful Jewish religious leaders reacted to the respect and honor the church was receiving?” (they were jealous).

b.     Read Acts 5:17-28.

c.      Because of their jealousy, the high priest arrested the apostles and put them in prison. 

d.     Ask: “What did God do about this?” (He miraculously set them free and instructed them to go right back to the Temple to preach to the people about Jesus Christ).

e.      Verses 21-24 are humorous.  The high priest sent word to the prison to bring the apostles before the Sanhedrin – but they weren’t in prison!

f.      They heard that the apostles were in the temple (verse 25).

g.     Ask: “Why did they arrest the apostles ‘without violence?’” (they feared the people). 

h.     Ask: “What did the high priest ask the apostles?” (“Didn’t we command you not to teach in this name anymore?”).

i.       The high priest also said that the apostles wanted to blame Jesus’ death on them.

7.     The Apostles’ Answer to the Sanhedrin.

a.      Remind the class of the bold way in which Peter and John answered the Sanhedrin in chapter 4 (last week’s lesson).  They now stood before the same group – the highest ranking religious leaders in the land.

b.     Ask a volunteer to read Acts 5:29-32.

c.      The apostles said that they had to obey God rather than men.

d.     Ask: “Who did they say were responsible for Jesus’ death?” (these same Jewish religious leaders).

e.      Tell the class that Ananias and Sapphira refused to tell the truth and it cost them their lives.  The apostles, on the other hand, refused to lie regardless of what consequences they might face.  They had boldness because they had been with Jesus (4:13)!

8.     The Consequences the Apostles Faced and Their Attitude.

a.      Read Acts 5:33-42.

b.     Explain the meaning of verse 33, as well as Gamaliel’s recommendation.

c.      Ask: “According to verse 40, what happened to the apostles who told the truth about Jesus Christ to the Sanhedrin?” (they were beaten).  The word translated “beaten” means to flay or scourge, so the apostles probably received 39 lashes (the most God allowed the Jews to give was 40 lashes – Deuteronomy 25:3) with a whip.

d.     Ask: “How did the apostle react to their beating?  Did they go home and lick their wounds?” (no, they rejoiced that God found them worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name).

e.      Ask: “Did they stop preaching in Jesus’ name?” (no).

 

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Tell the class that today’s lesson presents two sides to this issue of telling the truth.  Ananias and Sapphira lied and God killed them.  The apostles refused to lie and insisted on telling the truth even when it meant they would be punished.  Tell the class that lying is a serious thing to God.

Ask everyone to bow his or her head, and to silently answer the following questions.  Urge everyone to be honest with himself and with God.  Ask: “Are you a liar?  Do you lie to other people?  Do you lie to your employer?  Do you lie to your family?  Are you lying to God? Are you lying about the amount of your tithe?  Are you lying by telling yourself you can’t attend church faithfully, when you really could if you wanted to?  Are you lying to your lost friends about your relationship to the Lord?  Do you lie to men to protect yourself from abuse or ridicule?”

With heads still bowed, urge everyone to confess their sin, repent (turn away from) their sin, and recommit himself or herself to God.  If anyone present is not saved, he or she should receive Christ now.  Lead a closing prayer.

 

CONCLUSION: Encourage everyone to be honest this week.  The devil will offer them opportunities to lie within the next 24 hours, but they should be faithful to the commitment they made this morning.  Ask everyone to do the Daily Bible Readings this week.