A Chapter by Chapter Journey through Luke’s Account of Jesus’ Life, Ministry, and Mission
This teaching series is part of our Sunday Night Bible Study at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas. Led by Dr. Gary Olsen, former Lead Pastor of Rolling Hills and a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary (D.Min.) and Nashotah House (M.Div.), alongside Chris Reighley, this study continues the journey begun in the Gospel of Luke—tracing the story of Jesus not only to the cross but through the resurrection, ascension, and the Spirit-empowered birth of the Church.
Acts is the second volume in Luke’s two-part masterpiece. While the Gospel of Luke introduces us to Jesus as the Savior of all people, Acts shows how the risen Lord continues His work through the Holy Spirit and His witnesses. Written with a historian’s care and a theologian’s clarity, Luke presents a sweeping narrative—from the upper room in Jerusalem to the courts of Rome—documenting how the gospel spread across ethnic, geographic, and cultural boundaries.
As the only Gentile author in the New Testament, Luke provides a unique window into the unstoppable mission of God through ordinary people filled with extraordinary power. In this series, Gary and Chris walk through Acts chapter by chapter, highlighting its historical reliability, theological depth, and practical relevance. Together, we’ll explore themes like Spirit-led courage, cross-cultural evangelism, persecution and perseverance, and the unifying message of salvation by grace through faith.
This series flows naturally from our previous study, The Last Week of Jesus, and continues a broader exploration that includes: The Gospel of Luke, The Book of Acts, Is There Life After Acts for Paul?, and Is There Life After Acts for Luke?. Each lesson is designed to help you walk with Jesus, think biblically, and live faithfully—empowered by the same Spirit who turned the world upside down through the early Church.
Series
| Session | Scripture | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Introduction | In this opening session, Gary and Chris introduce the Book of Acts as the Spirit-empowered continuation of Jesus’ work through His apostles. They explore Luke’s purpose, themes, and structure—laying the foundation for a chapter-by-chapter journey through the birth and mission of the Church. |
| Session 2 | Acts 1 | Luke opens his second volume with the risen Christ commissioning His apostles to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Before ascending, Jesus instructs them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. The chapter concludes with the apostles selecting Matthias to replace Judas, ensuring the Twelve are complete as they await the Spirit’s arrival |
| Session 3 | Acts 2 | On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends with power, enabling the apostles to speak in various languages. Peter delivers a bold sermon, proclaiming Jesus as the risen Messiah. Three thousand souls are added, and the early church begins to gather, devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. |
| Session 4 | Acts 3 | Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate, drawing a crowd. Peter seizes the moment to preach Christ crucified and risen, calling the people to repentance and faith in Jesus, the promised Prophet like Moses. |
| Session 5 | Acts 4 | The healing and Peter’s preaching lead to the apostles’ arrest. Before the Sanhedrin, Peter declares that salvation is found only in Jesus. Released, the believers pray for boldness, and the place is shaken as they are filled with the Holy Spirit, continuing to speak God’s word with courage. |
| Session 6 | Acts 5 | Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit leads to their deaths, underscoring the seriousness of sin. The apostles perform many signs and wonders, but their preaching leads to imprisonment. An angel frees them, and they continue teaching, affirming their obedience to God over men. |
| Session 7 | Acts 6 | As the church grows, a dispute arises over the distribution to widows. Seven men are appointed to serve, including Stephen, full of faith and the Spirit. Stephen’s wisdom and signs provoke opposition, leading to false accusations and his arrest. |
| Session 8 | Acts 7 | Stephen delivers a powerful speech recounting Israel’s history and resisting the Holy Spirit. His words cut to the heart, and he becomes the first Christian martyr, stoned while seeing Jesus standing at God’s right hand. |
| Session 9 | Acts 8 | Persecution scatters the believers, but the gospel spreads. Philip preaches in Samaria, and many believe. He then leads the Ethiopian eunuch to faith, baptizing him, and the gospel begins to reach the ends of the earth. |
| Session 10 | Acts 9 | Saul, a fierce persecutor, encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus and is transformed. Baptized by Ananias, he begins preaching Christ. Facing threats, he is aided by believers and begins his journey as the apostle to the Gentiles. |
| Session 11 | Acts 10 | Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, receives a vision, and Peter is led to his house. Peter preaches, and the Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles, affirming that the gospel is for all people, breaking down the wall between Jew and Gentile. |
| Session 12 | Acts 11 | Peter reports to the Jerusalem church about the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit. The church rejoices, recognizing God’s grace. Meanwhile, in Antioch, believers are first called Christians as the gospel continues to spread. |
| Session 13 | Acts 12 | King Herod persecutes the church, killing James and imprisoning Peter. An angel miraculously frees Peter. Herod, exalting himself, is struck down by God. The word of God continues to grow and multiply. |
| Session 14 | Acts 13 | The Holy Spirit calls Paul and Barnabas for missionary work. They travel to Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch, preaching in synagogues. Many Gentiles believe, but opposition arises, and they are expelled, yet they continue with joy. |
| Session 15 | Acts 14 | In Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas preach, perform miracles, and face persecution. Paul is stoned but survives. They appoint elders in the churches and return to Antioch, reporting all God had done. |
| Session 16 | Acts 15 | A dispute arises over Gentile circumcision. The apostles and elders meet in Jerusalem, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith. They send a letter to Gentile believers, encouraging them. Paul and Barnabas prepare for further ministry. |
| Session 17 | Acts 16 | Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia, and the team sets sail for Philippi. There, Lydia, a God-fearing woman, becomes the first convert in Europe. After casting out a spirit from a slave girl, Paul and Silas are jailed, but a midnight earthquake leads to the conversion of the jailer and his household. The gospel breaks new ground, even in prison cells. |
| Session 18 | Acts 17 | Paul preaches in Thessalonica and Berea, facing mixed responses. In Athens, he addresses the philosophers at the Areopagus, proclaiming the “unknown God” as the Creator, Judge, and Risen Lord. Some mock, others believe—but Paul models how to engage culture with gospel clarity. |
| Session 19 | Acts 18 | Paul arrives in Corinth, working with Aquila and Priscilla as tentmakers. Despite resistance, he stays for a year and a half, encouraged by a vision from the Lord. God protects him through a Roman proconsul’s ruling. Paul then returns to Antioch, concluding his second missionary journey. |
| Session 20 | Acts 19 | Paul returns to Ephesus, where the gospel spreads powerfully. Miracles abound, and idolaters repent. Yet, when their profits are threatened, craftsmen stir a riot. The clash between truth and culture reminds us that gospel proclamation often disrupts spiritual strongholds. |
| Session 21 | Acts 20 | As Paul journeys toward Jerusalem, he stops in Miletus to deliver a heartfelt farewell to the Ephesian elders. He charges them to shepherd the flock faithfully, warns of future wolves, and entrusts them to God’s grace. It’s a masterclass in pastoral leadership and perseverance. |
| Session 22 | Acts 21 | Despite warnings, Paul presses on to Jerusalem. There, a mob seizes him in the temple under false accusations. Roman soldiers intervene, and Paul requests to speak to the crowd—turning opposition into opportunity for testimony. |
| Session 23 | Acts 22 | Speaking in Hebrew, Paul recounts his dramatic conversion. But the mention of his mission to the Gentiles enrages the crowd. The Roman tribune, confused and curious, keeps Paul in custody, unaware of the divine drama unfolding. |
| Session 24 | Acts 23 | Paul appears before the Sanhedrin and sparks division over the resurrection. A plot to kill him is uncovered, and he is secretly transferred to Caesarea. God’s sovereign hand is evident—even in Roman protection—for the sake of the gospel. |
| Session 25 | Acts 24 | Paul stands before Governor Felix, refuting false charges and declaring faith in Christ. Though intrigued, Felix delays judgment—hoping for a bribe. Paul remains imprisoned but unwavering, speaking truth to power with a clear conscience. |
| Session 26 | Acts 25 | Two years pass. Paul now appears before Festus and King Agrippa. When Festus seeks to hand him over to the Jews, Paul appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen. The stage is set for the gospel to reach the heart of the empire. |
| Session 27 | Acts 26 | Paul boldly recounts his testimony before Agrippa, declaring the death and resurrection of Jesus. His clear defense nearly persuades Agrippa to believe. Paul’s mission isn’t defense—it’s proclamation, turning trials into pulpits. |
| Session 28 | Acts 27 | Paul sets sail for Rome, but the voyage turns perilous. A storm leads to shipwreck on the island of Malta. Yet God preserves Paul and all aboard. Amid disaster, Paul leads with faith, showing that no storm can thwart God’s plan. |
| Session 29 | Acts 28 | Paul finally arrives in Rome. Though under house arrest, he boldly proclaims the kingdom of God and teaches about Jesus with all openness. The book ends with an open door—reminding us that the mission continues. The story of Acts isn’t over—it’s still being written in us. |
