The 8 Lenses of Examination

We believe that if you are going to understand the mission, you must be rigorous in your study of Scripture. We do not guess or skim the text. The Acts 2020 Project examines the text through a unique biblical framework: The 8 Lenses of Examination. While your weekly classes will focus on one or two Lenses, the complete framework is available for motivated learners who want to go far deeper.

Grounded in our foundational study of "The Great Commission” in Workbook 0, you can use these eight lenses to reveal how the sovereign plan of God drove the global expansion of the early church:

  • Lens 1: God’s Plan (The Great Commission): Tracing the outward progression of the gospel and the formal authority of the King's decrees.

  • Lens 2: The Holy Spirit (The Power Source): Documenting the Holy Spirit's direct, personal guidance over the movement's timing and witnesses.

  • Lens 3: The Gospel (Telling the Story of Jesus): Focusing strictly on the reality of the Resurrected Christ as the ultimate authority over all earthly powers.

  • Lens 4: Prophecy Fulfillment (The Vertical Link): Verifying the ancient biblical promises that prove the mission was perfectly planned by God from the beginning.

  • Lens 5: Friction Analysis (Acceptance & Opposition): Discerning how cultural barriers and spiritual opposition are faithfully navigated to spread the message.

  • Lens 6: The New Testament Bridge (The Canonical Handshake): Linking the historical events in Acts to the practical instruction manuals found in the Epistles.

  • Lens 7: The Final Verdict (The Calculated Reality): Synthesizing the cumulative scriptural facts to show that the church's global expansion is a meticulously designed reality.

  • Lens 8: Best Practices (Discipleship Today): Moving modern learners from passive spectators to active witnesses within three distinct areas of daily life:

    • The Private Mirror: Cultivating individual spiritual character.

    • The Local Church: Developing faithful Christian teamwork.

    • The Mission Field: Sustaining our daily witness in a hostile world.