The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 3:1-11)

The Book of Acts

To the Ends of the Earth Part 7

Lead/Founding Pastor: Ryan Rice

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

Sunday, October 19th, 2025

Faith Steps Forward

Key Passage

Acts 3:1–11, ESV 

The Lame Beggar Healed

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.

Introduction
• Have you ever felt stuck in life?

• Faith doesn’t sit still — faith steps forward.

• When we walk in faith, God works.

1. Partners on the Path (v.1)

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.”

• Faith grows when we walk together.

• Don’t go it alone — find someone to walk with in faith.

• Ecclesiastes 4:9; Galatians 6:2

2. Person in Need (v.2–3)

A lame man was carried daily to the gate to beg for help.

• He didn’t need more money — he needed hope.

• Faith notices people others overlook.

• Psalm 34:18; Philippians 2:4

3. Power in the Name (v.4–8)

“I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you — in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk!”

• Peter gave what he had — Jesus.

• The power of Jesus’ name changes everything.

• Acts 3:6; Philippians 2:9–11

4. Praise and Amazement (v.9–11)

“All the people saw him walking and praising God.”

• When faith moves, people notice.

• The miracle points others to Jesus.

• Psalm 40:3.

Application – How to Move Forward in Faith

1. Walk Together — Don’t do faith alone.

2. Watch for Needs — Look for people others miss.

3. Witness Boldly — Do it, say it, pray it in the name of Jesus.

Closing Idea

When you move forward in faith, God moves in power.

So don’t step back — step forward in faith.

Talk It Over

Faith Steps Forward

Acts 3:1–11, ESV

Theme: “Faith Moves Us Forward — When We Walk in Faith, God Works.”

1. Icebreaker: When have you felt stuck in life? What helped you move forward?

2. Open your Bibles and read Acts 3:1–11 together.

3. What does it mean that “faith doesn’t sit still — faith steps forward”?

4. Why is it important to walk with others in your faith, like Peter and John did?

5. The lame man sat at a beautiful gate but lived a broken life. Where do you see that same picture in people today?

6. How can you notice and care for people others overlook?

7. Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but I have Jesus.” What does that mean for us when we want to help someone?

8. How have you seen God work when you took a small step of faith?

9. What does it mean to “do it, say it, and pray it in the name of Jesus”?

10. Why do you think there’s still so much power in the name of Jesus today?

11. What’s one step of faith you can take this week to move forward?

Prayer Focus:

Pray for courage to take the next step of faith — to walk with others, to notice needs, and to trust the name of Jesus.