structure - our genre in this lesson is most likely an early Christian apologia and proclamation. The literary pattern is already established evidenced by the similarity between Peter’s Acts 2 and 3 sermons. Both record an "event" (Spirit outpouring (Acts 2) and the healing of the lame man (Acts 3); both begin with "Men of Israel," and both contain the kerygmatic core found elsewhere in Acts-speeches.

early christian content - Fitzmyer lists the kerygmatic elements of this sermon: (1) miracle is the work of Israel’s faithful God (3:13 ab), not powerful and pious prophets (3:12 b); (2) miracle witnesses Jesus and thus to the ignorance of Israel about him (3:13c-19); (3) Israel’s restoration is predicated on Jesus’ resurrection (3:20-21), which is (4) proved by biblical prophecy (3:22-26). [1]

ignorance is bliss? - "I know you acted without knowledge" (Acts 3:17), Peter exhorts his hearers concerning the mishandling of Jesus by religious authorities. I wonder how knowledgeable we post-moderns are. According to the Barna report, a vast majority of our Christian populations are biblically illiterate and more and more of our society has become suspicious of institutionalized religion. Yet other data suggests a deep yearning for spirituality. How can the church enter into and contribute to the growing interest in spiritual questing?

Do you have any experience with Christian healing? Do you know of anyone who claims healing through healing prayer?

In the "times of refreshing," (v. 20), how has spiritual renewal and refreshment come to you?

Do you agree that an audience should determine how one shares their words and format? If so, how might different contexts require different ways of "packaging" the gospel?

You might begin by raising several recent examples of healing ministries in the church-from Benny Hinn’s grandiose theatre of healing crusades to the more quieter and tamer healing ministries that is welcomed in virtually every Christian denomination. The point is not to caricature or promote an expose, but to raise to the listener’s awareness healing as it relates to Christian proclamation. How can we participate with God as healers and proclaimers of a broken and battered creation?

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[1] Cited in The New Interpreter’s Bible X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), page 80.