This page gives you ready-to-use study questions for Acts 2, the chapter where the Holy Spirit comes on the early church at Pentecost, Peter preaches to the crowd in Jerusalem, and the first believers begin to share their lives together. The questions are arranged in three sets (observation, interpretation and application) with a leader’s note for each, so they work for a small group, a Sunday class or your own personal reading.
Acts 2 at a Glance
The chapter moves in three stages. First, the believers are gathered together on the day of Pentecost when a sound like wind fills the house and tongues of fire rest on each person. The crowd from many nations hears them speak in their own languages, and some mock them as drunk. Second, Peter stands up and explains that this is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, then proclaims Jesus as crucified, raised and exalted, supporting his claims with Psalm 16 and Psalm 110. Third, the hearers ask what they should do, Peter calls them to repentance and baptism, and about three thousand are added. The chapter closes with a portrait of the early community devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer and shared possessions.
Observation Questions
Use these first to make sure everyone has read the text carefully before anyone offers an interpretation. Let people find the answers in the passage and point to the verses. Keep discussion of meaning for later sections.
Acts 2:1-4
1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
(WEB)
Read this passage first to set the scene for Pentecost and the coming of the Spirit. It gives the group a shared picture before the questions begin.
Acts 2:14-21
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
(WEB)
Reading Peter’s opening speech and Joel’s prophecy aloud helps the group hear how the early church understood the events of that day. It also shows how the Old Testament shapes the message.
Acts 2:22-24
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know, 23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
(WEB)
This short range carries the heart of Peter’s proclamation about Jesus. Hearing it aloud gives weight to the claims that follow in the rest of the sermon.
Acts 2:37-38
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(WEB)
These verses capture the moment of conviction and the call to repentance and baptism. Reading them aloud invites the group to reflect on how they hear God’s call personally.
Acts 2:42-47
42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
(WEB)
Ending the reading with this portrait of the early community leaves the group with a vision of what the church can look like. It is a good passage to pause on before praying together.
Memory Verse for Acts 2
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(WEB)
This verse gives the clear call of Peter to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. It is short enough to memorize and it holds the central response the chapter asks for.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you for pouring out your Spirit on your church and for the good news that Jesus is Lord and Christ. Help us to listen to the words of Peter and to hear the call to repentance in our own hearts. Make us devoted to your teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer, and give us open hands toward those in need among us. Add to our number those who are being saved, and give us courage to speak of Jesus this week. Amen.
