When Faith Is Tested: Season 2- Overview
When Faith Is Tested
The early Church faced opposition, persecution, hardship, and change. Yet through every challenge, God strengthened His people, expanded His mission, and continued building His Church.
Season 2- When Faith Is Tested- Overview
The Church Under Pressure (Acts 3–9)
The Church Faces Its First Challenges
The Church was growing.
The Holy Spirit had come.
Thousands had responded to the gospel.
Believers were gathering, worshiping, praying, and serving together.
But growth brought challenges.
As the message of Jesus spread, opposition began to rise. Religious leaders resisted the apostles. Believers faced criticism, persecution, and difficult decisions. Some paid a high price for their faith.
Yet the Church continued to grow.
Season Two explores what happens when faith encounters real-life pressures. Through miracles, opposition, sacrifice, and unexpected change, God continued to work through His people and expand His mission.
These chapters remind us that faith is not tested when life is easy. Faith is tested when challenges arise.
The same God who strengthened the early Church continues to strengthen believers today.
Season Theme
God uses challenges, opposition, and change to strengthen His people and advance His mission.
Key Scripture
“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the Christ.” — Acts 5:42 (NASB)
What We Will Explore
This season follows the Church through its first major challenges and turning points.
Topics include:
A miraculous healing
Boldness in the face of opposition
The power of prayer
Integrity within the Church
The choosing of servant leaders
Stephen’s witness and martyrdom
The scattering of believers
Philip’s ministry
The conversion of Saul
God’s expanding mission
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
We will study Acts 3–9 and discover how the early Church responded to both opportunities and challenges.
Reasons We Believe
We will see God’s faithfulness, power, and guidance throughout difficult circumstances.
Obedience in Action
We will learn how believers can remain faithful when facing opposition, uncertainty, and change.
Walk It Out
We will identify practical ways to trust God when faith is tested.
Lessons in This Season
Lesson 1: Power on Display
Acts 3
A miraculous healing opens the door for gospel witness.
Lesson 2: Bold Under Pressure
Acts 4–5
The apostles face opposition but continue preaching Christ.
Lesson 3: Faith That Costs
Acts 6–7
Stephen faithfully serves and boldly proclaims Christ, even unto death.
Lesson 4: When God Changes Everything
Acts 8–9
The Church scatters, the gospel spreads, and Saul encounters Jesus.
Why This Matters Today
Every believer experiences seasons of challenge.
Faith is tested through uncertainty, opposition, disappointment, suffering, and change.
Acts 3–9 reminds us that God often does some of His greatest work during difficult seasons.
The Church may face obstacles, but God’s mission continues.
Continue the Journey
The Church is growing, but opposition is rising.
How will the believers respond?
Begin with Lesson 1: Power on Display.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith.
Come and See. Join us for Sunday School at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM. Visit PGUM.org to continue the journey.
