The Lie You’ve Been Told About Power [Free]
A Bible Study on the hit move Sinners
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Opening Prayer
Begin with a prayer that sets the tone for the study, asking for openness and understanding as participants delve into the themes of light, darkness, and the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Sample Prayer:
Heavenly God, thank You for the gifts You’ve given each of us. Help us to see them as sacred, to steward them well, and to glorify You in all we do. Open our hearts and minds as we learn today. Amen.
Prep Questions
Have you ever seen someone try to “buy” or control something that should be sacred?
What’s a gift or passion you’ve been given that feels special, even powerful?
Have you ever felt torn between sharing your gift and protecting it?
Link to Video
Shortened Transcript
This study explores Acts 8:9–24 and a movie called Sinners. In the film, a young Black blues guitarist named Sammy plays so powerfully it bends time, drawing in a vampire who wants to steal the music for himself. The vampire’s attempt to own the sacred music mirrors Simon the Sorcerer in Acts, who tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s power.
Simon believed in Jesus and was baptized, but when he saw the apostles laying hands on people and the Holy Spirit moving, he wanted to buy that power. Peter rebuked him, saying, “May your silver perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God.”
The big idea: Sacred gifts aren’t for sale. They’re meant to be stewarded, not exploited. Like Sammy’s music, our talents and passions are meant to glorify God and tell His story, not for personal gain or control.
Guided Questions
In the story of Simon (Acts 8:9–24), what do you think his biggest mistake was?
Have you ever felt tempted to use a talent or gift for your own gain rather than God’s glory? How did that feel?
In the movie Sinners, Sammy’s dad fears his gift, while the vampire tries to exploit it. How does that relate to how people treat powerful gifts today?
What does it mean to “steward” a gift, rather than exploit or hide it?
How can we make sure our hearts are “right before God” like Peter says in verse 21?
Activity
The Power of the Gift
Write down one gift or passion you have (music, art, storytelling, kindness, etc.).
Next to it, write:
How it has been misunderstood or misused by others (or by you).
How you want to steward it well, like a sacred trust from God.
Share in pairs or small groups if comfortable.
After Questions
What’s one thing you’ll do this week to use your gift for God’s glory?
How can we support each other in stewarding our gifts well?
Spiritual Practice
Stewardship Prayer
Hold your hands open in front of you as a symbol of releasing control over your gifts.
Pray silently or aloud:
“God, this gift is Yours. I release any selfish ambition or fear I’ve had about it. Teach me how to use it for Your kingdom. Amen.”
Closing Prayer
Conclude with a prayer that acknowledges the Holy Spirit's presence and asks for continued guidance and protection in the journey of faith.
Sample Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the unique gifts You’ve given each of us. Help us not to fear them, sell them, or misuse them—but to honor them, share them, and let them glorify You. May we steward our talents with humility and love. Amen.
Notes From The Nerd Pastor:
Simon the Sorcerer’s story (Acts 8:9–24) is a biblical deep cut about spiritual theft—trying to buy something that was meant to be freely given by God. It shows us the dangers of using spiritual gifts for personal gain. Sinners (the movie) is a spiritual allegory with horror elements. The vampire isn’t just a monster—it’s a symbol for cultural appropriation and the temptation to control what isn’t ours to control. Sammy’s blues guitar is a metaphor for sacred gifts—music, culture, identity—things that should be honored, not stolen or suppressed. Vampire lore—especially the part where they must be invited in—ties to how we sometimes invite destructive forces into our lives, willingly or unknowingly. Peter’s rebuke in Acts is about heart posture—it’s not about being “in” or “out” of church, but about whether we’re using gifts for God’s glory or for our own kingdom.
Resource Notes:
Find basic information about the Sinners movie on the wiki.
Helpful Nerd Terms:
Cultural Appropriation – Taking something from a culture that’s not your own, often without permission or understanding.
NFT (Non-Fungible Token) – A unique digital asset that’s often bought and sold for profit, sometimes criticized for turning creative works into commodities.
Juke Joint – A small, informal venue popular in the American South for playing blues music, especially in Black communities.
Eschatological – A big word that means “related to the end times” or ultimate things, like heaven, hell, and judgment.
Stewardship – Taking care of something on behalf of someone else—in the Bible, it means using what God has given us for His purposes.
Theological Themes:
Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Sacred, Culture, Art, Creativity, Exploitation, Acts 8:9, Acts 8:10, Acts 8:11, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:13, Acts 8:14, Acts 8:15, Acts 8:16, Acts 8:17, Acts 8:18, Acts 8:19, Acts 8:20, Acts 8:21
Other questions? Ask in the comments below!