NextLevel Online: Acts: Lessons from Our Backstory

Backstory All that Jesus Began

This session delves into the interconnected narratives of Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts, presenting them as part one and part two of a continuous story. The disciples and the early church, depicted in Acts, mirrors and extends Jesus' ministry and mission, encountering opposition and trials along the way. The geographical movement from Rome to Jerusalem echoes the continuation of Jesus' work. Various parallels, such as the anticipation of the Holy Spirit, mirrored miracles, discipleship journeys, Gentile inclusion, and facing opposition, illustrate the ongoing impact of Jesus' ministry in Acts. Reflection questions prompt contemplation on how Jesus' story has shaped individual and collective narratives, the significance of the historical resurrection, and the continuation of Jesus' mission through us.
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Backstory All that Jesus Began

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Section 01
18:32Backstory All that Jesus BeganBackstory All that Jesus Began

Backstory: All That Jesus Began

Acts 1:1-26 | Session 1

Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College

Backstory: How did WE get here?

● HistoryIdentityActivity

The Prologues of Luke & Acts

The disciples and the church in Acts are a reflection and extension of Jesus’ ministry and mission—and therefore they also experience his opposition. Acts is part-two of the story.

Luke 1:1–4 — Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Acts 1:1–5 — In the first book, Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God…

Quest narrative (multiple scholars point to this geographic movement):

Rome

Galilee of the Gentiles

Samaria

Judea

Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Judea

Samaria

 World of the Gentiles

Rome

Echoes that show the continuation of Jesus’ ministry and mission in Acts:

● Anticipation & Birth Narrative Holy Spirit, Temple, Piety, Prayer

● “In the name” of Jesus example: Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10, 12, 17, 18

● Mirrored miracles example: Luke 5:17-26 & Acts 3:1-10

● Discipleship journeys example: Luke 24:14-35 & Acts 8:26-40

● Gentile inclusion example: Luke 4:16-30 & Acts 10

● Opposition & trials example: Acts 4 & Acts 21-28

Reflection Questions:

  1. How has the story of “all that Jesus began” shaped your story?

  2. How has the historical resurrection of Jesus validated all that he said and did? How should that shape our story?

  3. Acts teaches that Jesus continues his mission and ministry to all people through us. How is this true in your life? Your church?

Backstory All that Jesus Began Instructions

Section 01
18:32Backstory All that Jesus BeganBackstory All that Jesus Began

Backstory: All That Jesus Began

Acts 1:1-26 | Session 1

Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College

Backstory: How did WE get here?

● HistoryIdentityActivity

The Prologues of Luke & Acts

The disciples and the church in Acts are a reflection and extension of Jesus’ ministry and mission—and therefore they also experience his opposition. Acts is part-two of the story.

Luke 1:1–4 — Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Acts 1:1–5 — In the first book, Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God…

Quest narrative (multiple scholars point to this geographic movement):

Rome

Galilee of the Gentiles

Samaria

Judea

Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Judea

Samaria

 World of the Gentiles

Rome

Echoes that show the continuation of Jesus’ ministry and mission in Acts:

● Anticipation & Birth Narrative Holy Spirit, Temple, Piety, Prayer

● “In the name” of Jesus example: Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10, 12, 17, 18

● Mirrored miracles example: Luke 5:17-26 & Acts 3:1-10

● Discipleship journeys example: Luke 24:14-35 & Acts 8:26-40

● Gentile inclusion example: Luke 4:16-30 & Acts 10

● Opposition & trials example: Acts 4 & Acts 21-28

Reflection Questions:

  1. How has the story of “all that Jesus began” shaped your story?

  2. How has the historical resurrection of Jesus validated all that he said and did? How should that shape our story?

  3. Acts teaches that Jesus continues his mission and ministry to all people through us. How is this true in your life? Your church?