1. Faithful Disciples Lesson 12 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing,
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Faithful Disciples
Lesson 12

2. Lesson Outline Introduction A. Call the Expert B. Lesson Background
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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Lesson Outline
Introduction A. Call the Expert B. Lesson Background

3. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
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Who Do You Call?
Many court cases rely on the testimony of expert witnesses.
These experts have the education, training, skill, or experience to provide specialized knowledge in a trial.
The practice of calling on an expert witness in English law can be traced to the latter part of the eighteenth century.
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4. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Who Do You Call?
In the modern legal scene, finding qualified experts has become a thriving business.
In 1956, the TASA (Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys) was founded.
Today TASA supplies technical and medical expert witnesses within over 10,000 categories of expertise.
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5. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Who Do You Call?
They may be called expert witnesses, “hired guns,” or “go-to guys.”
Regardless of the name, these are the people to whom one turns in times of legal trouble.
In the early church, Peter was a go-to guy of a different sort—someone in demand in the midst of difficult situations.
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6. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
I. Asking the Impossible (Acts 9:36-38) A. Terrible Loss (vv. 36, 37) B. Desperate Request (v. 38)

7. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
II. Witnessing the Incredible (Acts 9:39-43) A. Loss Mourned (vv. 39) B. Loss Reversed (vv. 40, 41) C. New Births Result (vv. 42, 43)

8. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Status Update
Those familiar with social media know what is meant by a “status update.”
A person may recount even the most mundane events via social media.
For example, someone shopping might post these status updates:
Almost missed an important birthday. Heading to the mall now!
Lucked out! My favorite store is having a huge sale. Don’t miss it!
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9. Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Status Update
On the other hand, the events of Acts 9:36-43 were anything but mundane occurrences.
If social media were available, try to imagine the status updates those involved might write.
Read the Scripture passage. Then create two or three status updates from the participants’ perspective.
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10. Status Update Updates from the church in Joppa
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Status Update
Updates from the church in Joppa
Sad day here. Our beloved sister Tabitha is no longer alive. Everyone is crying.
Just heard that the apostle Peter is nearby. Sending a delegation to see if he can help us. Just have to try.
Unbelievable! Peter sent us out of the room and moments later presented Tabitha to us—alive again! Share this post with all of your friends!
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11. Status Update Updates from Peter
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Status Update
Updates from Peter
Had such a busy schedule. Looking for some downtime. But men from a nearby town came with a strange request. Let’s see what God will do.
Arriving in Joppa to a crowded vigil. Tabitha was an amazing woman! Would God raise her back to be with those here?
I was moved by the Spirit to ask everyone to leave the room and to tell Tabitha to arise. What joy in this church now!
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12. Status Update Updates from Tabitha
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Status Update
Updates from Tabitha
Here’s something that doesn’t happen every day. I went to bed at home and woke up at my own funeral!
I have never felt so loved! My brothers and sisters in Jesus surrounded me, telling me how much I have meant to them over the years.
I was ready to be with the Lord, but I see now that God was not done with me yet. So many new believers to serve!
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13. Horizontal Visual
Display this visual and then ask, “Under what circumstances would you expect a church leader to be a ‘first responder’? Why?”

14. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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What Do You Think?
What one thing can you do this week to add to a godly reputation?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In building a legacy for meeting physical needs
In building a legacy for meeting spiritual needs
Considering Matthew 5:14-16 in relation to Matthew 6:1-4 14

15. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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What Do You Think?
In what ways can you help your church improve its grief support ministry?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In a visibly available capacity
In a behind-the-scenes capacity 15

16. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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What Do You Think?
How do you navigate the tension between expecting God to intervene and realizing that He might not?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Regarding doubt (James 1:6)
Regarding personal risk (Esther 4:16)
Regarding the possibility that God wants to intervene through you (Ezekiel 22:30)
Other 16

17. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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What Do You Think?
What can your church do to capture the attention of the community for God’s glory?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Considering your church’s strengths
Considering your own spiritual giftedness
Considering community demographics 17

18. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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What Do You Think?
What are some steps to take to neutralize unjust criticism of our actions?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
To forestall criticism before it occurs
To respond to criticism after it occurs
Considering Ezra 8:24-34; Acts 11:1-18; 2 Corinthians 8:20, 21; 1 Peter 2:12; etc. 18

19. Copyright © 2017
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Lesson Outline
Conclusion A. Living Legacies B. Legacy of Evil C. Prayer D. Thought to Remember

20. B- Be Like Jesus Peter was the go-to guy for the church in Joppa.
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Be Like Jesus
Peter was the go-to guy for the church in Joppa.
But he did not want glory for himself.
He wanted to be like Jesus in serving others, thereby drawing others to faith in Jesus and giving Him glory.
Read the following Scriptures and decide how you can represent Jesus this week.
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21. B- Be Like Jesus Mark 1:35 Mark 4:35-41 Luke 5:4-10
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Be Like Jesus
Mark 1:35
I can be like Jesus by being a person of prayer.
Mark 4:35-41
I can be like Jesus by calming others in the midst of life’s storms.
Luke 5:4-10
I can be like Jesus by leading others to a higher calling in life.
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22. Copyright © 2017
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Thought to Remember
Let us build our living legacies as we answer the calls of those in crisis!

23. The good fight of faith Next Week’s Lesson Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Next Week’s Lesson
The good fight of faith