A Navpress Bible Study on the Books of Acts

Lifechange

by The Navigators (Creator)

From beginnings among Jesus' disciples, the church exploded into a worldwide force in just a few years. How? Jesus left His followers with a mission, and the Spirit of God moved mightily through them to fulfill it.
This Bible study on the book of Acts examines Luke's account of how the gospel spread and challenges us to know and live out our mission in the world.
- Personal study between meetings
- 20 sessions
- Includes study aids and discussion questions.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Nathan Albright · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the fourth and final book that I read in relatively quick succession in this series [1], this book is unfortunately the worst of the series so far, and somewhat surprisingly, far longer than the rest at over 200 pages (hardly a long book, it should be noted). On the positive side, this book has many features that the rest of the series has, and it was comfortable to read them and worthwhile also to examine the way that the book included helpful commentary on Roman history to give context to the materials of Acts. As the authors note, Acts is far from an exhaustive account on what the Apostles did after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as some apostles are not mentioned at all, and even those that are are not discussed completely, not even Paul, whose missionary efforts after his first release from prison around 62AD are not included, to say nothing of the missionary journeys of Thomas and others, which would have been an exciting book, it should be noted. The fact that the authors note this does speak positively for it at least a little, and given the way that this book falls short because of the antinomian approach of the authors [2], that ought to be seen as at least some excellence.

As should not be surprising given the previous reviews of this series, the book begins with a discussion on how to use the study, an overview of the book along with a timeline and a map of the Roman empire, and then eighteen lessons about the contents of Acts (which are divided up into units that are not always in order), before a concluding review and a discussion of some study aids, some of which [3] will likely be familiar to many readers. As might be expected given the fact that the book takes only about 200 pages to cover a reasonably large book of the Bible, there is a lot of skipping and superficial reading here. In the case of Acts, this is particularly lamentable, given the fact that this is a book which rewards close reading of a kind that this study does not provide because that would likely make the book too long to be salable, and books that are not salable do not become flagship efforts as part of a popular series.

There are really two main problems in this book that are mirror images of each other that result from the superficial and agenda-driven way the authors approach this book. On the one side, the authors are at pains to mention over and over again, speciously, that Christianity appealed to many godfearers because it managed to underbid Judaism when it came to what was required in terms of obedience to God. Specifically, the authors appear to have something against the food laws, which are mentioned over and over again despite the fact that the Bible nowhere even hints that such laws are no longer in effect for believers. On the other side, the authors appear to not draw conclusions from the way that the book of Acts consistently shows Paul keeping the Sabbath wherever he goes, and more than a few of the Holy Days as well, something that the authors would do well to reflect on and compare to their own practices. At any rate, this book is not without value, but the poor approach towards God's law greatly detracts from the enjoyment and worth of this particular volume.

[1] See, for example:

http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017/...

http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017/...

http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017/...

[2] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...

[3] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual for these NavPress LifeChange guides, the study questions help the reader to notice and observe things he or she might miss otherwise. I also love the application questions which encourage people to be doers, not just readers of the word. Additionally the historical notes help tremendously with the context of the narrative.

I was especially helped by the assignment of noting the following themes as they appear in Acts:
the mission of the church
the message of the church
the work of the Holy Spirit in the church and the world
fellowship and support among believers in Jesus
the relationship between Judaism and Christianity
how believers dealt with persecutions and opposition

This study guide is well worth purchasing and the investment of time in working through it.

[Angela Elder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 20 week study took me 53 weeks....it was very in depth a little bit too much at some points that it was hard to see the forest through the trees. But glad I read it as I have a better understanding of how the gospel was spread softer the death of Christ and how the Holy Spirit first came and how He worked then and continues to work now.

[Amber Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Navpress Bible Study on the Books of Acts (Paperback) was a well written book that was written by those that clearly knew what they were writing about and were able to write it in a manner that other could easily read and understand.

[Kristi Clemow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, basic commentary - I liked how it kept bringing it back together to main themes and concepts and included a lot of open-ended discussion points/thoughts to consider. I would use this series for other books if I come across them.

[ME · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource!

[Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat repetitive, but if you don't own a study bible it is actually really helpful with lots of background information.

[Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the books in this series are solid theologically and ask good questions. Its the best single series I've personally used for introducing a book along with its purpose and who it was written to (if its an epistle) and why it was written. Very good stuff.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book in the series and I think it really asked good questions that lead to good conversations.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an intensive study requiring a big time commitment.

[Jay Hawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used as a resource in sermon prep for series on the Church. Very deep; excellent study.