October 12 2025, Sunday School Lesson

God Sees Our Hearts

Lesson Text: Acts 4:32 – 5:11

Related Scriptures: Leviticus 10:1-11; Deuteronomy 15:1-11; Johua 7:1-26; Psalm 34:11-22; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

TIME: A.D. 30 or 31

PLACE: Jerusalem

Golden Text: “Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4b)

Introduction

What happened in the early church was truly astounding. Largely through Christian influence, care for the poor has become common in the modern world, but this practice would have been startling to a first-century Gentile like Theophilus, who was the recipient of the book of Acts. Not only did people in the church practice charity toward the poor, but they cared for others without thought of receiving something in return.

The early church transformed the surrounding culture. The rich became friends with the poor, meeting their financial need without thought for personal gain. The responsibility of caring for the needs of all people was ingrained in the Christian mindset.

But the fielding church also faced challenges that, if not stopped immediately, would threaten the church’s ability to function as God’s instrument to reach the world with the gospel.

LESSON OUTLINE

1. OBEDIENT CARING FOR THE CHURCH - Acts 4:32-37

2. LYING TO GOD – Acts 5:1-11

QUESTIONS

1. How did Luke describe the mindset of the early church?

2. Why did the early church demonstrate extraordinary care for one another?

3. What societal benefits occurred because of the church’s mindset?

4. According to Luke, it is evil to have wealth? Why or why not?

5. Why is the early church’s practice not considered to be communism?

6. Against what did Luke contrast Ananias and Sapphira’s wickedness?

7. What was the issue that caused Ananias and Sapphira’s gift to be rejected?

8. What two reasons did Peter include in his condemnation of Ananias?

9. What did Ananias fail to consider when he committed his deceit?

10. What happened as a result of Ananias’s judgment? Do you think it was effective?

Answers

1. The believers had the same mindset toward one another. Luke described this mindset as being of one “heart” and “soul” (or mind).

2. The reason for their exemplary care of one another was Jesus Christ

3. The early believers’ Christ-oriented mindset also resulted in practical societal benefits (vs. 34). The poor, whom Jesus affirmed would always be present in a sinful world (Matt. 26:11), had needs met through the generous giving of other believers. The law of Moses included instruction for the care of the poor (cf. Deut. 15:11), but the Jewish leaders of the first century failed to carry it out (cf. Luke 20:47). In contrast, the new covenant community fulfilled God’s expectations of caring for the poor by following the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

4. Luke did not imply that having possessions was evil or a sign of a lack of reliance on Christ’s provision. Wealthy individuals did not gain greater standing with God, the apostles, or the believing community as a result of their generosity.

5. Nor was this a Christian version of communism. There was no requirement for everyone in the community to share their possession with everyone else. One-time gifts would help alleviate temporary problems, but they did not change societal status. Rich believers remained rich (though with fewer possessions), and the poor remained poor (though temporary needs were met). The money was not distributed equally to everyone; it was given only to selected individuals who had financial needs.

6. Luke then contrasted Barnabas and his generosity with two fellow members of the Jerusalem church, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira.

7. God owns everything, and Jesus was pleased with the paltry sum given by the poor widow (Luke 21:1-4), so the amount is not what matters to God. As Luke explained in Acts 5:4, the issue was not the amount of money given but the deceptive intent behind the action.

8. But the fact that Ananias listened to Satan’s influence was not the worst part of Peter’s condemnation. Not only did Ananias listen to Satan and keep back part of the selling price, but he also lied to the Holy Spirit.

9. Blinded by his sinful desire, Ananias failed to considered God’s nature and His relationship to His church. He did not take into account that God sees and knows everything. While he thought it was a harmless matter to lie to the church for his own benefit, God’s relationship with His church is of such a nature that to lie to the church is to lie to God. The church is comprised of His children, indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22). By lying to God, Ananias failed to give Him the honor due to Him.

10. As a result of Ananias’s death, great fear came upon everyone who heard about it.