Big Idea:  God’s holiness means that his presence is both amazing and dangerous.

            Acts 4:34-37, 5:1-11

Struck Down by God

• Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10)
• Uzza (2 Samuel 6)
• Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)
• Corinthians taking communion (1 Corinthians 11)

God’s holiness means his presence is both amazing and dangerous. 

            Leviticus 10:3

God’s holiness: God is unique and absolutely morally pure.

To be in God’s presence, we need to be purified.

Where is God’s presence?

            The Church is the new home of God’s presence. 

                        1 Corinthians 3:16

If you want the presence of God in your life, prepare to be purified.

            1 John 1:7

            James 4:8

            Acts 5:11

Would God do this to me? 

            Romans 8:1

            Proverbs 3:12

God’s presence is serious – so don’t pretend, and don’t take it for granted.

            Psalm 139:23-24

Message Questions

We are continuing our study in the book of Acts, which is the story of the Holy Spirit igniting the Jesus movement through faithful obedience of a few humble people. We continue that same story today, and the Holy Spirit will use the teachings of Acts to inspire you to do the same thing the earliest followers of Jesus did when they first understood the magnitude of what God has done through Christ: to GO. This Sunday, the big idea is: God’s holiness means that his presence is both amazing and dangerous. Our passage is Acts 4:32—5:11.

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. 1.  Read Acts 5:1-11. What did Ananias and Sapphira do that caused them to drop dead? When you first heard this story, what was your reaction?
   2. Have someone read 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 John 1:7, and James 4:8. Where is the home of God’s presence? What does the blood of Jesus do for us? Pastor Wyatt shared that if you want the presence of God in your life, prepare to be purified. Where have you seen this happen in your life?
   3. Have someone read Acts 5:9-11. What question did Peter ask Sapphira? What came upon the church after they heard this story? What do we learn about God’s presence from this story?
   4. How can you have a healthy fear of God and his presence? How does the fear of God cause you to grow in your relationship with Jesus? Read Psalm 139:23-24 slowly as a prayer over your group.
   5. God’s holiness means that his presence is both amazing and dangerous. Share a time when you have gone to the people to whom Jesus has called you to go, and how did his presence and holiness show up in that moment?