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3. 1. The Followers of Christ Face Persecution How did the Jewish leaders respond to Herod’s martyrdom of James, and what did that prompt Herod to do next? Why did Herod want to please the Jewish leaders? How did the Jewish leaders respond to Herod’s martyrdom of James, and what did that prompt Herod to do next? Why did Herod want to please the Jewish leaders? How do you think it affected the Christians in Jerusalem when they heard that James had been put to death and that Peter had been arrested and imprisoned? How do you think it affected the Christians in Jerusalem when they heard that James had been put to death and that Peter had been arrested and imprisoned? What would happen within our group if we heard that one of our fellow believers was killed specifically for his or her faith? What would happen within our group if we heard that one of our fellow believers was killed specifically for his or her faith?

4. 1. The Followers of Christ Face Persecution Based on verse 3, what do you think Herod intended to do with Peter? Based on verse 3, what do you think Herod intended to do with Peter? If you found out that someone you loved had been arrested for his or her faith and was facing death, how would you respond? How should we respond? If you found out that someone you loved had been arrested for his or her faith and was facing death, how would you respond? How should we respond?

5. 1. The Followers of Christ Face Persecution The execution of James pleased the Jewish leaders and Peter was to be brought out for public trial. What does that tell us about how Christians were viewed in that day? The execution of James pleased the Jewish leaders and Peter was to be brought out for public trial. What does that tell us about how Christians were viewed in that day? Why do some in our culture seem to enjoy the persecution of Christians? How should we respond to this? Why do some in our culture seem to enjoy the persecution of Christians? How should we respond to this?

6. 2. God Accompanies Us Through Persecution How did the church respond to Peter’s arrest and imprisonment? How did the church respond to Peter’s arrest and imprisonment? How do people often respond when tragedy strikes? Why is it important that we pray first when bad times come? How do people often respond when tragedy strikes? Why is it important that we pray first when bad times come? Describe how the Christians responded upon hearing that Peter had been released from prison. Describe how the Christians responded upon hearing that Peter had been released from prison.

7. 2. God Accompanies Us Through Persecution Evaluate this statement: “We pray during tragedy not for relief from trials; prayer tunes our hearts, which helps us to respond as Christ would through hard times.” Evaluate this statement: “We pray during tragedy not for relief from trials; prayer tunes our hearts, which helps us to respond as Christ would through hard times.” What should we be praying for during hard times? What should we be praying for during hard times?

8. 2. God Accompanies Us Through Persecution Why do you think the praying Christians were amazed? Why do you think the praying Christians were amazed? What has God done recently that caused you to be surprised or amazed? Had you been praying for what God did, or was it totally unexpected? What has God done recently that caused you to be surprised or amazed? Had you been praying for what God did, or was it totally unexpected?

9. 3. God Delivers the Retribution In verses 18-19, what happened to the soldiers? Is this fair? Who was responsible for their deaths? In verses 18-19, what happened to the soldiers? Is this fair? Who was responsible for their deaths? Why did God strike down Herod? Why did God strike down Herod? In what ways do people today display pride and arrogance? In what ways do people today display pride and arrogance? In Hebrews 9:27, what two promises are given to every man? In Hebrews 9:27, what two promises are given to every man?

10. 3. God Delivers the Retribution With these two facts in mind, who decides when it is a person’s time to die and who decides what is fair retribution? How is God qualified to make these decisions? With these two facts in mind, who decides when it is a person’s time to die and who decides what is fair retribution? How is God qualified to make these decisions? Why do you think the Word of God increased? How is judgment a motivation for salvation? Why do you think the Word of God increased? How is judgment a motivation for salvation? In light of God’s retribution, what should we be doing to see that God’s message of salvation is increasing to the nations? In light of God’s retribution, what should we be doing to see that God’s message of salvation is increasing to the nations?