Unstoppable – Wk. 10 (Digging Deeper)

Day 1: God Prepares Hearts

Scripture Emphasis: Acts 10:1-23

Before Peter ever preached the gospel to Cornelius, God had already been at work in both of their lives. While Cornelius was praying, God was preparing Peter. While Peter was wrestling with God’s vision, Cornelius was obediently sending for him. God’s work of salvation often begins long before anyone realizes it.

Discover

Read Acts 10:1-23

1. What was God doing in Cornelius’ life before Peter arrived?(MULTILINE)
2. What was God doing in Peter’s life before he met Cornelius?(MULTILINE)
3. Why do you think God chose to prepare both men instead of only one?(MULTILINE)
4. Read John 6:44. What does Jesus teach about how people come to Him?(MULTILINE)
5. Read Philippians 2:13. What does this verse reveal about God’s work in the lives of believers?(MULTILINE)
6. Looking back on your own story, how can you see God preparing your heart before you came to faith in Christ?(MULTILINE)

Summary

One of the great truths of Scripture is that God is always working behind the scenes. Before Peter ever spoke the gospel, God had already orchestrated circumstances, softened hearts, and prepared both men for a divine appointment. Salvation is ultimately God’s work. He prepares those who will hear the gospel, and He also prepares those who will share it. As believers, we should pray not only that God would soften the hearts of those who need Christ, but also that He would continue softening our own hearts to obey His leading.

Application

Pray for someone who needs Jesus today. Ask God to prepare their heart to receive the gospel, and ask Him to prepare your heart to faithfully share it when the opportunity comes.

Day 2: What God Has Made Clean

Scripture Emphasis: Acts 10:9-16

Peter’s vision was about much more than food. It marked a dramatic shift in redemptive history. Through Christ, God declared that what once separated Jew and Gentile had been fulfilled, making the way for all people to come to Him through faith.

Discover

Read Acts 10:9-16

1. Why did Peter refuse to eat the animals in his vision?(MULTILINE)
2. What command did God repeat three times?(MULTILINE)
3. Read Leviticus 11:44-47. Why did God originally give Israel dietary laws?(MULTILINE)
4. Read Mark 7:18-19. What did Jesus declare about food?(MULTILINE)
5. Read Ephesians 2:13-18. What barrier did Christ remove through His death?(MULTILINE)
6. Why is it important to understand that Peter’s vision was ultimately about people, not merely food?(MULTILINE)

Summary

The Old Testament food laws were never meant to be permanent. They distinguished Israel from the surrounding nations and pointed toward God’s holiness. When Christ fulfilled the Law, those ceremonial distinctions were no longer necessary. Peter’s vision revealed something much greater than dietary freedom—it revealed that God was welcoming Gentiles into His family through faith in Jesus Christ. The issue was never bacon. The issue was the gospel.

Application

Ask God to reveal any barriers you’ve unintentionally placed between people and the gospel. Pray that He would help you see people as those He desires to redeem rather than categories to avoid.

Day 3: God’s Heart Has Always Been for the Nations

Scripture Emphasis: Acts 10:34-35

Acts 10 was not a change in God’s plan. It was the fulfillment of His plan. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s desire has always been to redeem people from every nation, tribe, language, and people group through Jesus Christ.

Discover

Read Acts 10:34-35

1. What realization did Peter come to during his conversation with Cornelius?(MULTILINE)
2. Read Genesis 12:1-3. What promise did God make to Abraham concerning the nations?(MULTILINE)
3. Read Exodus 19:5-6. What was Israel’s purpose among the nations?(MULTILINE)
4. Read Isaiah 49:6. How does this prophecy point beyond Israel?(MULTILINE)
5. Read Matthew 28:18-20. What mission did Jesus give His disciples?(MULTILINE)
6. How does Acts 10 demonstrate the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan?(MULTILINE)

Summary

Sometimes we think of the Great Commission as a New Testament idea, but God’s heart for the nations has been evident from the very beginning. Israel was chosen not because God loved the nations less, but because He intended to bless the nations through them. Jesus is the promised Savior through whom that blessing comes. Acts 10 marks the moment when the early church fully embraced what God had intended all along—that salvation through Christ is offered to every people group on earth.

Application

Pray for a nation or people group that has little access to the gospel. Ask God to continue advancing His kingdom to the ends of the earth and consider how He might use you in that mission.

Day 4: God Shows No Favoritism

Scripture Emphasis: Acts 10:28, 34-35

Peter’s greatest transformation was not learning that Gentiles could be saved. It was learning to see people the way God sees them. The gospel tears down every wall that sinful humanity builds.

Discover

Read Acts 10:28, 34-35

1. What did Peter finally understand about God?(MULTILINE)
2. What categories had Peter previously used to divide people?(MULTILINE)
3. Read James 2:1-9. Why does God warn against showing favoritism?(MULTILINE)
4. Read Galatians 3:26-29. What unites believers in Christ?(MULTILINE)
5. What assumptions or labels do people commonly use to determine who is “reachable” with the gospel?(MULTILINE)
6. Is there anyone you’ve quietly assumed would never come to Christ? Why?(MULTILINE)

Summary

Our tendency is to divide people into categories—those who are like us and those who are not, those who seem open to God and those who seem hopeless. Peter carried those assumptions for years until God confronted them. The gospel reminds us that every person bears God’s image and every person stands equally in need of grace. No one is beyond the reach of Christ.

Application

Think of one person you’ve been tempted to write off spiritually. Commit to praying for that person every day this week, asking God to give you His heart for them.

Day 5: Religion Cannot Save You

Scripture Emphasis: Acts 10:1-48

Cornelius was respected, generous, prayerful, and devoted to God. Yet Scripture makes it clear that he still needed to hear the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ. Good morals are not the same as new birth.

Discover

Read Acts 10:1-48

1. What qualities made Cornelius an admirable man?(MULTILINE)
2. Why did God still send Peter to preach the gospel to him?(MULTILINE)
3. Read John 3:1-8. What did Jesus say every person must experience?(MULTILINE)
4. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. How is salvation received?(MULTILINE)
5. Read Titus 3:4-7. What role do good works play in our salvation?(MULTILINE)
6. What is the difference between being religious and being born again?(MULTILINE)

Summary

Cornelius reminds us that sincere religion cannot save anyone. He prayed faithfully, gave generously, feared God, and lived an honorable life. Yet none of those things could reconcile him to God. He still needed to hear about Jesus and place his faith in Him. Christianity is not about becoming a better religious person; it is about receiving new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is found in Christ alone.

Application

Examine the foundation of your confidence before God. Are you trusting in your religious activity, your morality, or your relationship with Jesus Christ? Thank God that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith alone.