Brookwood Church
GROUP GUIDE - Breakthrough
January 12, 2025
Locations & Times
Brookwood Church
580 Brookwood Point Pl, Simpsonville, SC 29681, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
Group Guide
This guide is designed to help you grow in your relationship with God and develop meaningful relationships with others. Get together with friends or visit brookwoodchurch.org/groups to find a group already meeting. Let’s do this together!
https://www.brookwoodchurch.org/groupsConnect
Suggestion: Give people a minute to think about this question before sharing with the group.
What event in your life required a lot of preparation? How did you prepare?
Suggestion: Give people a minute to think about this question before sharing with the group.
What event in your life required a lot of preparation? How did you prepare?
Pray
Draw your attention toward God and pray He will help you hear His voice personally during this week’s study and discussion. Approach God with an open heart and ask Him to help you learn and grow. Spend a few minutes quieting your heart and focusing on God in prayer.
Draw your attention toward God and pray He will help you hear His voice personally during this week’s study and discussion. Approach God with an open heart and ask Him to help you learn and grow. Spend a few minutes quieting your heart and focusing on God in prayer.
Read
Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Explore and Discuss
Insight: The gate called Beautiful in verse 2 was made of the finest brass, seventy-five feet high with huge double doors, so beautiful that it greatly excelled those that were only covered over with silver and gold (Josephus, historian). The lame man was likely being carried to the temple because it was a regular practice for the people to give alms (donations of money or other resources).
Insight: The gate called Beautiful in verse 2 was made of the finest brass, seventy-five feet high with huge double doors, so beautiful that it greatly excelled those that were only covered over with silver and gold (Josephus, historian). The lame man was likely being carried to the temple because it was a regular practice for the people to give alms (donations of money or other resources).
1. Peter and John continued the Jewish custom of praying at certain hours of the day. Do you have any regular, consistent practices that help you grow closer to God? If so, what are they?
2. God interrupted their daily rhythms with a man who needed help. Have your plans ever been interrupted and you knew it was God trying to get your attention? Describe.
3. What words would you use to describe the beggar and what his life must have been like?
4. Peter simply told the beggar walk. Have you ever acted with that type of boldness?
5. What do you think would have happened if the man was still unable to walk?
6. Peter and John looked straight at (literally fixed their eyes on) the man, and the man gave them his attention – they had a powerful moment together, expecting something to happen! How would you describe your level of expectation for God to work in your life? Is this anticipation something you experience regularly? Explain.
7. How would your life be different if you woke up every morning expecting God to move in a powerful way?
8. Describe a time you experienced wonder and amazement because of something you saw God do.
9. After the man was miraculously healed, they gave credit and glory to God. Jot down a few ways God has worked in your life, and spend some praying (or singing worship songs) in praise to God.
10. The book of Acts tells stories about the ministry of the first disciples and the explosion of the early church. Why was this particular story an important one to include? What lessons are we supposed to learn?
Take a Step
Pause and reflect. What’s one step God is leading you to take this week?
Pause and reflect. What’s one step God is leading you to take this week?
Memorize
One of the best ways to hear God throughout the day is to store His words in your heart and mind.
Based on this week’s theme, commit these words of Scripture to memory:
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 (NIV)
One of the best ways to hear God throughout the day is to store His words in your heart and mind.
Based on this week’s theme, commit these words of Scripture to memory:
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 (NIV)
Further Reflection
As you think about the idea of breakthrough this week, here are a couple passages for further reflection and meditation:
This is why I wait upon You, expecting Your breakthrough, for Your Word brings me hope. I long for You more than any watchman would long for the morning light. I will watch and wait for You, O God, throughout the night. O Israel, keep hoping, keep trusting, and keep waiting on the LORD, for He is tenderhearted, kind, and forgiving. He has a thousand ways to set you free! He Himself will redeem you; He will ransom you from the cruel slavery of your sins! Psalm 130:5-8 (TPT – The Passion Translation)
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD, said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” 2 Samuel 5:18-20a (ESV)
As you think about the idea of breakthrough this week, here are a couple passages for further reflection and meditation:
This is why I wait upon You, expecting Your breakthrough, for Your Word brings me hope. I long for You more than any watchman would long for the morning light. I will watch and wait for You, O God, throughout the night. O Israel, keep hoping, keep trusting, and keep waiting on the LORD, for He is tenderhearted, kind, and forgiving. He has a thousand ways to set you free! He Himself will redeem you; He will ransom you from the cruel slavery of your sins! Psalm 130:5-8 (TPT – The Passion Translation)
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD, said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” 2 Samuel 5:18-20a (ESV)
App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.
Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200
Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.
Faith grows deeper as we pursue Jesus together!
To join a Community Group, visit our website or email adults@brookwoodchurch.org.
http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/groupsWe'd love to hear from you!
Please visit or contact us at 864.688.8200.
http://www.brookwoodchurch.org