September 2010 - March 2014
This study covers the book of Acts. The title, "Acts of the Apostles," distorts the thrust of the book. Only two apostles are the focus of the book, Peter, then Paul. John is mentioned as is James, but the others are not. The more appropriate name should be "Acts of the Holy Spirit". Because the Holy Spirit is the one performing the Acts, by empowering the early church, specifically, through Peter, then Paul, to take the message of the risen Messiah from the Upper Room in Acts 1, to Paul's private house prison room, in Acts 28.
To the uttermost parts of the earth ...
Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here and here.
To view all video Bible studies in the Acts series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).
Tue, Nov 05, 2013
Passage: Acts 20:7-38
Duration: 57 mins 48 secs
Why would any young man turn down a chance for fame and fortune to follow a path that leads to suffering and persecution? Listen as the Apostle Paul delivers a stirring farewell message to pastors encouraging them to communicate the Word of God and not go off course or give up. See how he lays out the way that the pastor must address people in terms of their thinking and strengthen them to face the challenges of life. Discover that there is a colossal future inheritance for those who produce divine good that far outweighs the rewards of any career path in this world.
Tue, Nov 12, 2013
Passage: Acts 21:1-17
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 29 secs
"Tune in tonight to listen to the evangelist Philip's four virgin prophetess daughters." If there had been TV in the first century this might have been a program. Listen to this lesson to learn that women prophets in the Old Testament praised God through music. Hear the dire warnings given to the Apostle Paul as he prepares to go to Jerusalem. Discover four optional solutions to the seeming confusion over whether he was led by the Holy Spirit to make this trip and the one that has the most adherents. See how Paul was not swayed by fear for his safety but was willing to perform the will of God no matter the personal cost.
Note: Due to technical difficulties the video for this class may be out of sync with the audio.
Tue, Nov 19, 2013
Passage: Acts 21:15-39
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 41 secs
Clashing cultures are breeding grounds for chaos and violence. Listen to this lesson to learn how the Apostle Paul enters a whirlwind of rumors and false accusations when he comes to Jerusalem in A.D. 57. Hear how the Christian leaders there tell him he is being slandered for abandoning his heritage and encouraging new converts to do the same. Find out the plan the leaders devised for Paul to join a group of four men and take religious vows with them to prove he is not a traitor to everything Jewish. Hear seven possible reasons why Paul may have agreed to do this. Discover how we need to understand the priorities in the Christian life so cultural or traditional differences do not get in the way of sharing the message of the gospel.
Click here to view the information Dr. Dean added pertaining to the Temple Mount that ties in with Acts 21:28.
Tue, Nov 26, 2013
Passage: Acts 21:37-22:30
Duration: 59 mins 45 secs
Angry mobs! Mistaken for an Egyptian troublemaker! Threats of torture! Listen to this hair-raising account of a time in the Apostle Paul's life when he faced the fury of fellow Jews. See how Paul speaking in Greek surprised the Roman arresting officer who allowed him to address the murderous crowd. Find out Paul's account of his remarkable conversion on the road to Damascus and the days that followed. See how he defended the gospel, using events and people familiar to his accusers, and find how how we can be relaxed under extreme pressure when we leave the results of our witnessing in the Lord's hands.
Tue, Dec 10, 2013
Passage: Acts 22:30-24:21
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 40 secs
When your life is caught up in a whirlwind of trouble, do you call on God to take away all the bad things? Or do you embrace God's plan for your life including the tests and suffering to help you mature spiritually? Listen to this hair-raising account of the Apostle Paul's arrest in Jerusalem where a rioting crowd spews out threats of dire consequences. See how the Jewish Sanhedrin Council accuses Paul and the high priest, Ananias, signals someone to slap him in the mouth. Hear Paul's heated defense as he gets to the heart of the matter by mentioning resurrection. Notice that God does not use a miracle to rescue Paul, but instead is behind the scenes directing the normal events. Realize that God is at work in our lives and is for us so nothing can be against us.
Tue, Dec 17, 2013
Passage: Acts 24:10-25:12
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 43 secs
Sounding more like a shadowy movie plot than actual events, the Apostle Paul arrives under heavily armed guards to Caesarea where his life converges with three kings. Listen to this lesson to learn that soon after his conversion, God promised Paul that he would give the good news of the Gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Learn about the evil machinations of Felix and Festus, the dark history of their lives, and the political climate at the time Paul was being held. Marvel at his skillful defense of what he believes and understand that, like the Apostle, we can learn to trust that God is always behind the scenes working out His promises to us.
Tue, Dec 31, 2013
Passage: Acts 25:12-26:32
Duration: 1 hr 4 mins 22 secs
Imagine standing before the President of the United States and the Queen of England and having a chance to tell them what you believe about God. What would you say? Listen to this lesson to hear how the Apostle Paul defended his faith before rulers and kings. Marvel as he lays out the story of his meeting with the resurrected Christ and how he turned from killing Christians to spending the rest of his life telling the good news. Hear the meaning of repentance and the new responsibilities that change brings. Just as God provided for all the details of Paul's life, be assured that He is protecting us and working out every aspect of our lives today.
Tue, Jan 07, 2014
Passage: Acts 27:1-20
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 14 secs
Cruise ship in trouble: Mass illnesses, blackouts, missing passengers. These stories have filled the headlines the last few years. Listen to this lesson to learn about the Apostle Paul's danger-filled, life-threatening cruise on his way to Rome as a prisoner. See how Paul points out that disaster is ahead as they face rough weather and strong headwinds. The crew ignores his warning and sets out. Encountering a typhoon, they frantically try to secure the ship. Hear how Paul relies on God's revelation to him and the doctrine he knows. Learn to apply the Word of God to your own experiences and adapt to changing circumstances even in desperate times.
Tue, Jan 14, 2014
Passage: Acts 27:21-28:6
Duration: 59 mins 13 secs
How long does it take you to panic and have a brain freeze when devastating events swirl around you? Listen to this spellbinding account of how the Apostle Paul steps up to take charge in the midst of chaos and explains his confidence in God to the pagans with their false beliefs. Learn the meaning of blessing by association. See God's sovereign control over the life of Paul and how Paul uses the opportunity to wisely exercise his free will. Apply these lessons to the things that happen in your own life and continue to trust God through all the changing circumstances.
Tue, Feb 04, 2014
Passage: Acts 28:11-16
Duration: 57 mins 3 secs
Who wouldn't like an all-expense paid trip to take you to fulfill your God-given destiny? Listen to this lesson to hear the gripping story of how God was true to His promise to Paul and he was transported as a prisoner on an adrenaline-charged journey to Rome. Marvel at how the intricate details recorded in Acts point out the accuracy of the Word of God. Learn about the faithfulness of God throughout the Word of God. Take time to see the treasure house of promises of God's faithfulness that we can memorize and use when we face difficulties.