In Discipleship Lesson 11, Garrett Bookout examines Peter’s powerful response to the crowd in Acts 2: “Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Discover what it truly means to be “cut to the heart,” why humility matters, and how the first Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

In this eleventh lesson of the Discipleship series, Garrett Bookout walks through Acts 2:36–42 with the Oak Hollow church of Christ family. After a brief refresher on Peter’s Pentecost sermon, the class explores the crowd’s reaction—“cut to the heart”—and their urgent question, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Garrett unpacks why that question reveals genuine humility and a recognition that something must be done about sin. He contrasts the crowd’s response with Judas and Peter’s own failures, showing how Peter—fresh from his own guilt—can confidently answer: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The lesson carefully discusses the relationship between repentance and baptism, the nature of grace, and the long-debated meaning of “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Garrett also highlights the early church’s four-fold devotion in verse 42—apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers—and how these practices defined the new life of discipleship.

Perfect for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of conversion, the Holy Spirit’s role, and what the very first Christians actually did after they were saved. Whether you’re studying Acts for the first time or revisiting the birth of the church, this class will challenge and encourage you to live as a devoted follower of Christ today.

Discipleship Lesson 11 – “What Shall We Do?” (Acts 2:36-42)

1. Opening Prayer & Passage Review
- Peter’s conclusion: “God has made this Jesus… both Lord and Christ” (v. 36)
- The crowd is “cut to the heart” (v. 37)

2. “What Shall We Do?” – Why This Question Matters
- Reveals humility, shame, and the desire to be right with God
- Contrast with Judas vs. Peter’s responses to guilt
- Recognition that salvation involves our response (repentance + baptism)

3. Peter’s Answer: Repent and Be Baptized
- Relationship between repentance and baptism
- Grace, works, and human responsibility
- Baptism as the death of the old self and birth of the new life (cf. Romans 6)

4. The Gift of the Holy Spirit
- Grammatical discussion: the Spirit as the gift vs. gifts from the Spirit
- The Spirit as seal, down payment, and indwelling presence
- Evidence of the Spirit: fruit of the Spirit, not necessarily miracles

5. Saving Yourselves from This Crooked Generation (v. 40)
- Peter’s continued exhortation
- Living as disciples in a hostile culture

6. The First Church’s Four-Fold Devotion (v. 42)
- Apostles’ teaching
- Fellowship
- Breaking of bread (Lord’s Supper + daily meals)
- The prayers
- 3,000 souls added that day

7. Closing Prayer & Preview of Next Week (v. 43 onward)

Join us as we continue exploring what it means to be a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ!