Acts 5 is a chapter about honesty before God, courage under pressure, and the early church growing in the face of opposition. These questions suit a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study. Each set moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how you might live it.
Acts 5 at a Glance
The chapter opens with Ananias and Sapphira, who lie about how much money they gave to the church, and both die after Peter confronts them. The fear this brings spreads through the community, and the apostles begin doing signs and wonders in Solomon’s Porch as more believers join them.
The high priests respond by arresting the apostles, but an angel frees them, and they go straight back to teaching in the temple. Brought before the council, Peter declares that they must obey God rather than men. Gamaliel advises caution, the apostles are beaten and released, and they leave rejoicing before continuing to preach every day.
Observation Questions
Use these first to establish what the chapter actually reports. Let the group stay close to the wording before moving to explanations, and resist the urge to fill gaps with assumptions.
Acts 5:3-4
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
(WEB)
Read these verses to set the tone for the chapter’s serious account of deception. Ask the group to hear how Peter connects the lie directly to the Holy Spirit and to God.
Acts 5:14
More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
(WEB)
This verse reports the rapid growth of the believing community. Reading it aloud helps the group feel the momentum that the authorities were so troubled by.
Acts 5:19-20
19 But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
(WEB)
Hearing the angel open the prison doors makes the turning point of the chapter vivid. It also prepares the group for the apostles’ bold return to the temple.
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
(WEB)
Peter’s declaration is among the most quoted lines in the book. Reading it slowly invites the group to consider where obedience to God and to human authority meet.
Acts 5:41-42
41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. 42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
(WEB)
These verses close the chapter with joy and steady witness. Ending the reading here gives the group a hopeful picture of faithful perseverance.
Memory Verse for Acts 5
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you for the honesty and courage of the early church, and we ask that you would search our hearts as you searched the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira. Where we have kept back part of what belongs to you, give us the grace to bring it openly. Where we feel afraid to speak of Jesus, remind us that you are with us and that you have the final word. Help us rejoice when we are counted worthy to suffer for your name, and let our lives show the same steady witness that marked the apostles. Strengthen each person here this week, and keep us faithful together. Amen.
