Discussion Bible

What factors might have been involved for so many believers to be scattered because of the persecution but not the apostles?

What percentage of Jesus’ followers do you think remained in Jerusalem? What reasons might they have had for staying?

When people fled the persecution, where would they most likely look for safety?

How did the followers of Jesus eulogize Stephen and his sacrifice? To what extent do you think they put their lives in danger?

What means of discovery and criteria for determining guilt might Saul have used to arrest believers and send them to prison?

Why did the persecution fail to squelch the message?

What does Philip’s preaching and doing miracles in Samaria say about people’s faith?

What might Simon have done to make the people think he had the power to do miracles?

How did Philip’s actions differ from what Simon was doing?

When Simon’s followers believed Philip’s preaching, were baptized, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, how might their perception of Simon change?

In his commitment to Christ, how sincere do you think Simon was, in being baptized? What are some of the things he might still need to learn about following the Lord?

For what purpose did Peter and John go to Samaria?

What changes might Simon have seen in people’s lives after they received the Holy Spirit?

What ability was Simon wanting to buy when he offered the apostles money?

Why do you think he believed the ability could be purchased with money?

In what ways might Simon’s heart not have been right with God?

Do you think Simon had received the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

What might be wrong with his wanting the Holy Spirit to prosper his business?

Peter thought he knew what was in Simon’s heart. Upon what do you think his perception was based?

What punishment might Peter have predicted or Simon have imagined would come as a result of his sin?

What reasons could Simon have had for asking Peter to pray, rather than Simon just praying for himself?

In the early days of discipleship with Jesus, Samaria was a place of great revival, yet later the people rejected Jesus. How might this have influenced Peter and John as they preached in Samaritan towns on the way back to Jerusalem?

What do you suppose Philip was doing when an angel appeared?

As he traveled the desolate road, how often and for how long might he have asked why he was there?

When Philip saw the man in a chariot, he could only have guessed who the man was, what his purpose had been in Jerusalem, and where he was going. What do you think his first impression was?

A man having a scroll was most unusual. How do you suppose Philip knew the man was reading the words of the prophet Isaiah? How difficult might it have been to read while riding?

After the Holy Spirit told Philip to join the man in the chariot, how hard do you think he had to run?

How did Philip introduce himself?

What reason might the eunuch have in believing Philip could guide his understanding of Scripture?

Out of more than fifty other sections of Isaiah where he could have been reading, the Eunuch was considering the words about Jesus. If this was more than an amazing coincidence, what must God have done to cause these circumstances?

How much time do you think Philip spent in telling about Jesus? To what extent might he have included his own personal experience?

What must have been said for the eunuch to understand the importance of being baptized?

What was the prerequisite for baptism?

When the eunuch was baptized, do you think he received the Holy Spirit?

How would you describe the nature of Philip’s departure flight?

How would seeing his departure affect the eunuch?

What led Philip to preach in the towns along the Mediterranean coastline, from Azotus to Caesarea, and not somewhere else)?