The Samaritan Pentecost

Philip was forced out of Jerusalem because of persecution. He took the Gospel to Samaria, and many believed. The Spirit fell when Peter and John laid hands on the new believers.
This video is designed to be used in small groups. When you have gathered your group, begin with prayer.
Icebreaker: Who was your hero as a child?
Watch the video, use the head questions to help the group rebuild the story. Then read the text, Acts 8:1-25. Use the remaining question to spark some conversation.
Head Questions: get the facts straight
1. Who was persecuting the church?
2. Why did Philip leave Jerusalem? Where did he go?
3. What did Philip take with him?
4. What kind of miracles did Philip do as he told of Jesus?
5. Who had been popular before Philip? What kind of religion did he practice?
6. How did Simon react to Philip?
7. Why did Peter and John travel out to Samaria?
8. What happened when Peter and John laid hands on the people?
9. What did Simon want?
10. How did Peter react to Simon’s request?
11. What was Simon’s reaction to Peter?
12. What did Peter and John do as they returned to Jerusalem?
Heart Questions: dig deeper
1. Why do you think persecution of the church increased after the stoning of Stephen? Do we have any parallels of something similar today?
2. How do you see Philip taking the Gospel with him? How can we do something similar?
3. Compare Philip’s spirituality with that of Simon. Who is worshipping who?
4. Why do you think the people began following Philip, not Simon? What do you think was going on in their hearts?
5. Why do you think Simon was baptized and stayed close to Philip? What does Simon’s fascination with Philip’s miracles tell us?
6. Samaritans and Jews hated each other. Why do you think the Jerusalem church sent Peter and John to Samaria?
7. This story is sometimes called the Samaritan Pentecost. Why do you think God delayed the giving of the Holy Spirit until the Jewish leaders came?
8. Why do you think Simon wanted to buy the power of giving the Holy Spirit?
9. How do you think Peter knows God sees that Simon’s heart is not right? When has God given you insight into a situation?
10. Why do you think Simon is jealous and bound by his evil ways? How sincere do you think his baptism and claim to be a believer was? What does this tell us about people today?
11. Do you think Simon repented from his jealous heart? Why or Why not? What does the fact that Simon did not pray for himself but asked Peter to pray for him tell you?
12. One time, when a Samaritan town refused to let Jesus enter, John wanted to call down fire on them (Luke 9:54). How do you see this changed as John and Peter return to Jerusalem? How has your faith journey changed you?
13. What do you learn about God from this story? About humankind?
Hands Questions: application
1. What has this story taught you?
2. What did you learn to help you walk with Jesus?
3. What was the theme for today?
End in prayer.
More Resources:
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