Small Group and Family Guide

Bind On Thy Sandals

Acts 12:5-8 (KJV) · Pastor Otis J. Petteway, III ·

Sermon notes

For Small Groups

Open

What is one thing you always have to put on before you can leave the house?

Read

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Acts 12:5-8 (KJV)

The Big Idea

The whole teaching lives in the gap between "his chains fell off" and "bind on thy sandals." God broke what Peter couldn't break, but God would not walk what Peter could walk.

The Message

  1. Prayer Was Being Made (Acts 12:5-6). Peter is bound, but somebody is praying; the church is on its knees while he is in chains. He sleeps between two soldiers the night before his execution, which is the peace prayer produces. But peace in the prison is not the same as out of the prison.
  2. The Chains Fell, But the Feet Didn't (Acts 12:7). "Arise up quickly": the angel had to smite Peter on the side and raise him up. God broke what Peter couldn't break, but He would not walk what Peter could walk. Some of us are free and still lying down; the chain came off months ago.
  3. Bind On Thy Sandals (Acts 12:8). God answers your prayer and then hands you your shoes. "Gird thyself. Bind on thy sandals. Cast thy garment. Follow me" are four commands, all requiring a body. "And so he did" are five words that separate a testimony from a wish.

Talk About It

  1. The church was praying without ceasing while Peter was in chains. Who has prayed you through a season you could not get out of on your own?
  2. Peter slept between two soldiers the night before his execution. What is the difference between peace in the prison and freedom out of it?
  3. The angel had to strike Peter and raise him up. Where might God be nudging you to get up from something He already broke?
  4. The angel gave Peter four commands that all required his body. Why do you think God breaks the chains but leaves the walking to us?
  5. "And so he did." What is one instruction from God you have heard but not yet obeyed?

Live It Out

Name one chain God has already broken in your life. This week, take one physical step that proves you believe it: make the call, show up, or walk through the door you have been avoiding.

For Families

Peter was locked in jail with chains on his hands, and the church was praying for him. An angel came, the chains fell off, and the angel told Peter to put on his clothes and sandals and follow him. Peter obeyed, and the big iron gate opened all by itself.

Ask Your Kids

  1. What did the church do while Peter was in jail?
  2. After the chains fell off, what did Peter still have to do?
  3. What is something God wants you to do that you can do right away?

Do It Together

Have everyone take off their shoes. Read Acts 12:8 together, then as each person puts their shoes back on, they name one way they can obey God this week.

Memory Verse

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Acts 12:5 (NIV)

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