The Book of Acts

To the Ends of the Earth 

Lead/Founding Pastor: Ryan Rice 

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Sunday, January 18th, 2026 

The Passage 

Many Signs and Wonders 
Acts 5:12–16, ESV 

Many Signs and Wonders Done

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

1. Miracles Displayed (v. 12) – Many signs and wonders regularly done 
2. Men Distinct (v. 13) – Holy fear, people held them in high esteem 
3. Multitudes Drawn (v. 14) – More believers added to the Lord 
4. Ministry Extended (v. 15) – Sick carried out, expecting God's power 
5. Magnitude of Power (v. 16) – All healed from surrounding towns 

What Are Miracles?  

A less common kind of God's activity in which He arouses awe and bears witness to Himself. 

What’s the Purpose of Miracles? 

1. Authenticate the gospel and its messengers 
2. Advance the gospel as people believe 
3. Display the kingdom’s compassionate power  
4. Bring glory to God 

Seeking Miracles Today? 

Don’t  

• Don’t seek miracles for personal gain 

• Don’t seek miracles for entertainment 

• Don’t seek miracles for skeptical proof 

Do 

• Do Seek miracles to advance the gospel 

• Do Seek miracles for genuine need 

• Do Seek miracles with honesty and humility  

Talk It Over  

1. When you hear the word miracle, what do you think of first, and why? 
2. Read Acts 5:12–16. What is one thing that grabs your attention in this passage? 
3. How did miracles make the early church stand out from the people around them? 
4. Why do you think “more than ever believers were added to the Lord” when these signs and wonders happened? 
5. What does the crowd’s eagerness to bring the sick to the apostles show about their faith and expectations? 
6. Of the four purposes of miracles Pastor Ryan taught on (authenticate the gospel, advance the gospel, display kingdom compassion, bring glory to God), which one is easiest for you to see, and why? 
7. Have you ever seen or heard a story where an answered prayer or “small miracle” helped someone move toward Jesus? Briefly share. 
8. What might it look like to seek miracles for genuine need in our church or in your life right now? 
9. How can we guard our hearts from seeking miracles for the wrong reasons (attention, excitement, or proof)? 
10. What is one specific request you would like this group to pray for—a situation where you would love to see God work in a clear way?