The Story
Jun 9, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
After Jesus ascends, the Spirit descends—and the gospel begins its unstoppable march. From Pentecost to prison breaks, from sermons to stonings, the early church grows in courage and conviction. The message: Jesus is alive. The mission: take it to the ends of the earth. The book of Acts is not just church history—it’s our family story.
Passages: Acts 1–12
Main Idea: The church is born in power and forged through persecution.
Lesson 18: New Beginnings: The Early Church (A.D. 30–95)
I. Final Lessons – The Ascension and the Commission (Acts 1)
- Jesus’ Instructions – “Wait for the promise of the Father…”
- The Great Commission – “You will be My witnesses…” (Acts 1:8)
- The Ascension – Jesus is taken up; angels promise His return
- Upper Room Unity – prayer, preparation, and replacing Judas
II. Fire – Pentecost and the Birth of the Church (Acts 2–5)
- Holy Spirit Falls – flames of fire, many languages (Acts 2:1–13)
- Peter’s First Sermon – Christ crucified, risen, and reigning
- Three Thousand Saved – the church is born (Acts 2:37–47)
- Miracle at the Gate – lame man healed (Acts 3)
- Peter Preaches Again – Christ proclaimed boldly
- Arrested and Released – persecution begins
- Early Community – generosity, unity, signs, and wonders
- Ananias & Sapphira – sin judged swiftly (Acts 5)
- Apostles Imprisoned, Freed, and Beaten – but rejoicing
III. Martyr and Missionaries – Courage in the Face of Death (Acts 6–8)
- Seven Chosen to Serve – early deacons appointed (Acts 6)
- Stephen’s Defense – a Spirit-filled retelling of Israel’s story
- Stephen Stoned – the first martyr sees heaven open
- Saul Persecutes the Church – believers scatter with the gospel
- Philip in Samaria – signs, conversions, and joy
- Ethiopian Eunuch Baptized – gospel reaches the African continent
IV. The Voice – Saul Meets Jesus (Acts 9)
- The Damascus Road – Saul encounters the risen Christ
- Blinded, Humbled, Called – Saul becomes Paul
- Early Preaching and Escape – the persecutor becomes the persecuted
- Peter Heals and Raises the Dead – ministry expands in Joppa
V. What God Has Made Clean – Gentiles Welcomed (Acts 10–11)
- Cornelius and the Angel – a Gentile seeks God
- Peter’s Vision – “Do not call unclean what God has made clean”
- Peter Preaches in Caesarea – the Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles
- Church in Antioch Grows – disciples first called Christians there
VI. The Hammer Falls – Opposition Intensifies (Acts 12)
- James Is Martyred – first apostle killed for the faith
- Peter Imprisoned Again—Then Freed by an Angel
- Herod Struck Down – God defends His glory
- “But the Word of God continued to grow and to be multiplied”
Key Themes & Takeaways
- The gospel advances through Spirit-empowered witness and costly obedience.
- The church thrives under pressure, not prosperity.
- God uses ordinary people to accomplish an extraordinary mission.
- The Spirit is not a concept—He’s the power source of the church.
- We are called not just to admire the early church—but to continue their mission.