Purity & Generosity (Acts 4-5)
Message Listening Guide
Opening Question: Have we replaced reverence with flattery in how we approach God?
Radical Generosity (Acts 4:32–37) The Spirit’s filling produces unity of heart and generosity of hand. Early believers share their resources freely so that no one among them lacks. Barnabas exemplifies this Spirit-born generosity—a model of joyful surrender to God’s people and purposes. One clear mark of the Spirit’s presence is open-handed generosity that reflects God’s own giving nature.
A Disturbing Encounter (Acts 5:1–11) Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit exposes the danger of pretending devotion. Their lie to the apostles is, in truth, a lie to the Holy Spirit, corrupting the holiness of God’s new temple—the church. The sudden judgment underscores that the Spirit of truth will not coexist with hypocrisy. The fear of the Lord is not an outdated relic of Sinai; it is the proper response to the holy presence that now indwells His people.
The Point: The Spirit of truth has no patience for pretense.
Application:
1. Get Real: The problem isn’t sin—it’s pretending we don’t have any. Don’t filter your faith or offer a curated version of yourself to God or His people.
2. Fear the Lord: God invites not only our affection but our reverence. To love Him rightly is to take His holiness seriously.
The Result (Acts 5:12–16) The church’s purity leads to greater power. Holy fear spreads, and the Spirit confirms the apostles’ witness through signs, healings, and growth. The world is drawn not to a comfortable church, but to a holy one—where God’s presence is both beautiful and weighty.
Connection Group Conversation Guide
Pray: Begin by updating prayer requests and praying together.
Get-to-know-you Question: Share your name with the group and the answer to the question: what was one of the most fearful moments of your life?
Opening Question: Would you say you tend to think of God as more loving or more holy? Which aspect of His character do you struggle to hold on to?
Review: Sunday’s message looked at Acts 4:32–5:16, where the early church’s unity and generosity revealed the Spirit’s power—and the story of Ananias and Sapphira revealed His holiness. Their deception showed that God cares not only about what we give, but about the truthfulness of our hearts. The Spirit of truth has no patience for pretense, yet this passage also reminds us that honesty and holy fear lead to greater purity, power, and growth in God’s people.
Discuss: Luke paints a picture of radical generosity in the early church. Why do you think genuine generosity is so compelling to outsiders?
Read: Have someone read Acts 5:1–11
Discuss: Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira did what they did?
Discuss: How does this story challenge the way you think about God’s holiness and the seriousness of deceit?
Discuss: In their day and age, giving was public and Ananias and Sapphira’s deception took the form of pretending generosity. What are some modern forms of “pretense” in the church or in your own life?
Discuss: How can we create a culture in our church that prizes authenticity without being soft on sin?
Discuss: Where is the Spirit inviting you to “get real” this week—either with God, your group, or someone specific?
Pray: Close by asking God to make your group a place of both truth and grace—where honesty leads to freedom, reverence leads to power, and generosity overflows.