Wisdom From The Word With Laura Zielke

This week, we finished up the study of Ananias and Sapphira by comparing and contrasting their experience in Acts 5 to the story of Achan in Joshua 7. It seems as though each of these events took place at the beginning of the founding of a faith community. If the stories are indeed parallel, then,... The post Acts 5:11-16 ~ Shadows, Signs & Wonders appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: Craig Bondy  This week, we continued in the study of the sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. We looked at the similarities and differences of their individual experiences, and we discussed how each one had an opportunity to confess their deception but declined.  The punishment was exceedingly harsh. Why? They were testing to... The post Acts 5:7-10 ~ Ananias & Sapphira, Part Two appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: Craig Bondy  This week, we studied the early church practice of selling possessions and handing the proceeds over to the apostles. We discussed how Ananias and Sapphira attempted to deceive the Holy Spirit, but their plan backfired in the worst way.  >> Click to read this week’s passage in KJV, CSB, ESV, NIV: Acts... The post Acts 5:1-6 ~ Ananias & Sapphira, Part One appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

Guest Teacher: Craig Bondy  This week, we studied the unity of the early church and their willingness to be used by God minister to each other’s needs whether they be spiritual, emotional, relational, and/or physical. We were also introduced to a new character in the history of the early church: Barnabas. We learned that Barnabas... The post Acts 4:32-37 ~ One Heart and Soul appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

As you may or may not remember, I was out of town last Sunday, and due to unforeseen circumstances, the lesson taught by Craig Bondy was not recorded. So, in order to prevent gaps in our studies, my husband and I joined Craig and his wife Linda at their home to record a summary of... The post Acts 4:23-31 ~ Praying for Boldness appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we studied the stern “cease and desist” warning issued by the Sanhedrin to Peter and John following the healing of the lame man. Although they could not deny the fact that the man was healed—and his healing was permanent—in an effort to contain this emerging movement and control the damage that could result... The post Acts 4:14-22 ~ Warning Shot, Pt. 2 (Conclusion) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we practiced exegeting Scripture together as a class. We started with prayer, read the passage, and then began to dig into it one verse at a time. With the use of reference books and a variety of commentaries (see below for list), our study of the passage was enhanced and we walked away... The post Acts 4:13 ~ Uncommonly Bold appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we began discussing the actual “trial” (or “examination”) of Peter and John. We looked at how Jesus had prepared them for such a time as this by telling them,  Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach... The post Acts 4:5-12 ~ The Warning Shot, Part 1 appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we spent the first half of class discussing the so-called “400 Years of Silence” between the Old and New Testaments (a.k.a. “intertestamental time”). We briefly discussed the difference between the Catholic Bible and the Protestant Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the origins of the Sadducees. Upon turning our attention to the passage, we... The post Acts 4:4-6 ~ Can’t Stop This! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we examined the first sign that Jesus’ prophecy regarding the persecution of His followers would be fulfilled in the near future. The conflict began when the Sadducees interrupted Peter: Not only did they stop him from finishing his speech, they also took him, John, AND the formerly lame man into custody—holding them until... The post Acts 3:22-4:4 ~ The First Conflict appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week, we studied how Peter made room for those guilty of crucifying Jesus to be forgiven since they acted in ignorance. In fact, from the cross, Jesus himself said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Bottom line: They were ignorant. Peter referenced verses in the Law of Moses to... The post Acts 3:17-21 ~ Ignorant No More appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we slowed our pace to analyze the development of early beliefs about Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy about a coming Messiah. We looked at the variety of “primitive” terms Peter used to describe Jesus as he tailored his message to such a faithful, Jewish audience. We discovered that although Peter’s... The post Acts 3:16-19 ~ Repent & Turn appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we dove a little deeper into Peter’s second sermon going verse-by-verse through Acts 3:11-16. The stage for this scene was within Solomon’s Colonnade of the Temple in Jerusalem. As the healed man (no longer lame) held onto Peter and John, the crowd rushed over in amazement to better understand what they were witnessing.... The post Acts 3:11-16 ~ In His Name appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we did an overview of Peter’s second sermon in Acts 3:11-26 which followed the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple in Jerusalem. As people started realizing that a miracle had taken place, they gathered around Peter, John, and the walking/leaping/praising God man. This provided the perfect “teachable moment”  which... The post Acts 3:11-26 ~ Foretold by All the Prophets appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we closely examined Acts 3:1-10 which details the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple in Jerusalem. Since archaeologists have yet to discover writings or inscriptions referring to a gate called “Beautiful,” we discussed the three most plausible theories for the location of the gate. We also examined... The post Acts 3:1-10 ~ Open My Eyes, Lord. appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we began our study of the next section of Acts (chapters 3-6) in which we will be observing the blessings and challenges that come with quick and exponential growth of the Jerusalem church under Peter’s leadership. We briefly surveyed the healing of the lame man at the Temple (Acts 3:1-10); however, our discussion... The post Acts 3-6 ~ Growth of the Early Church appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took a break from our verse-by-verse study in order to process what we’ve been studying the past couple of weeks. There are only two sacred ordinances which the Lord Jesus established for His followers: Baptism  and Communion . Since these are observed differently depending on one’s denomination, we took the entire class time... The post Acts 2:38 ~ The Beautiful Mystery of Baptism & Communion appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we began our examination of the response of the crowd to whom Peter was preaching in Acts 2:14-36. We enjoyed a lively discussion about evangelism and salvation. We agreed that it is the Holy Spirit who is consistently drawing people to the Lord. We discussed the first step towards salvation: Repentance. Please Note: This step... The post Acts 2:37-38 ~ Now What? Step 1: Repent! appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we took a few minutes to finish up our rabbit trail from last week. We looked at five ways to understand Jesus’ descent into hades. After that, we continued our verse-by-verse study of Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2. We looked at how he built his argument from beginning to end PROVING through... The post Acts 2:29-40 ~ Peter Concludes His Sermon + Bonus appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.

This week we continued in our study of Peter’s first sermon—yes, I know… this is becoming a thing! Well, listen, we like to take our time and really dig into the Word, and the class is discussion-based. So, you might as well grab a cup of your favorite beverage, a Bible, and a notepad for... The post Acts 2:25-36 ~ Prophecy Fulfilled (and a Rabbit Trail) appeared first on Laura L. Zielke.