August 27: Called to Be Inclusive (Acts 10:19-33)

To begin the session:

Have the members of your group answer one or more of the following ice-breaker questions.

1. When you were growing up, what was the “wrong crowd” to associate with? Did you hang out with them at all?
2. Were you isolated from other racial, ethnic, social, or religious groups? To the extent that you had an integrated upbringing, what was the makeup of the other group(s)?
3. How much contact do you have with individuals from other racial, ethnic, social, or religious groups today?

To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:

Have your group read Acts 10:1-18, which isn’t included in the lesson text. Then read some or all of the Lesson Background in the Standard Lesson Commentary (SLC). Then lead your group in a discussion of the following question.

1. Why do you suppose God gave Peter this vision of unclean animals instead of just telling him what he was up to?

Have your group read Acts 10:19-23a and discuss the following questions.

2. Who really sent Cornelius’s three messengers?
3. How did the messengers tie in with Peter’s vision of eating forbidden food?
4. What mixed feelings did Peter likely have?

Have your group read Acts 10:23b-33 and discuss the following questions.

5. Why do you think Cornelius responded to Peter’s entrance the way he did?
6. Why do you think Peter responded the way he did in return?

From the SLC: The surprises continue for Peter as Cornelius, a centurion who is quickly recognizable as such by his attire, falls down in a posture of worship toward the apostle! This is both unexpected and unpleasant for Peter. It is unexpected because if anyone is to show deference toward another in that culture, it would be Peter’s deference toward the Roman centurion. Moreover, Peter knows that worship is to be directed toward God alone (Exodus 20:3; etc.). Therefore Peter cannot allow this false worship to continue. In affirming their common humanity, Peter implies that mortals are not to be worshipped.

7. How do we see Peter’s mixed feelings churning again in verses 28 and 29?
8. How would you describe Cornelius’s attitude as he answers Peter?

The verses that follow this week’s lesson passage record Peter’s response. Peter reminded Cornelius and his friends and family that God shows no favoritism but accepts from every nation those who turn to him. Peter talked about Jesus’ ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, declaring that all who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins. As Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon those listening. The believers who had come with Peter were astonished, perhaps because they still had some doubts that Gentiles could truly be saved. But Peter, affirming the genuineness of these Gentiles’ faith, ordered that they be baptized.

9. Why is this story in Acts 10 so important?
10. What might God be trying to teach us through this passage today?