But the word of God continued to spread and flourish (Acts 12q)

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish*

Acts 12:1-25

Key Verse – Acts 12:24

1.    [1-4] In order to persecute the believers, what did Herod do (1-2)? What did he proceed to do and for what reason (3a)? When did this take place (3b)? What was Herod’s plan for Peter (4b)?

2.    [5-10] What did the church do (5)? What was Peter’s situation the night before his trial (6, ref. 4a)? Discuss the details of how an angel led him out of Herod’s prison (7-10).

3.     [11-17] When Peter came to himself, what did he realize (11)? Where did Peter go first and why (12)? What happened when he knocked on the door (13-16)? What did he tell those gathered in the house (17)?

4.    [18-19a] In the morning, what happened among the soldiers? What did Herod do? What does this reveal about his intentions for Peter? What might have been God’s purpose for Peter and the whole community of believers (ref. 2 Peter 1:13-14)?

5.    [19b-23] Why and how did the people of Tyre and Sidon ask King Herod for peace (19b-20)? When Herod addressed the people, what did they shout (22)? What immediately happened to him and why (23, ref. Wikipedia: Herod Agrippa I)?

6.    [24-25] What is the concluding remark given after these two events (24; cf. 6:7; 9:31; Hebrews 4:12; 6:5)? In light of v24, what might have been the effect of Peter’s rescue and Herod’s death on the people of that region? How did Barnabas and Paul conclude their trip to Jerusalem (25, ref. 11:30)?