A.D.

FAQ

Q: What is A.D.?

Over 100 million people watched The Bible miniseries in 2013! Now comes A.D., the epic television series event that picks up where The Bible left off—at the resurrection of Jesus and the action-packed journey of the first followers of Christ. Premiering on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, A.D. covers all the major stories in the first 10 chapters of the Book of Acts and provides your church an unprecedented outreach opportunity! Invite your church and community to further explore what they are seeing on TV with a coordinated sermon series and small groups. HIDE

Q: Who are the producers of this series?

A.D. was produced by the world-renowned producing team of The Bible miniseries and the Son of God film, Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor, Shark Tank) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel). HIDE

Q: When will A.D. air on TV?

The first episode of the series will air on April 5, 2015 (Easter Sunday), and will continue each Sunday night for a total of 12 weeks through June 21, 2015. HIDE

Q: How long is each episode?

1 hour HIDE

Q: How family-friendly are the episodes?

A.D. is a powerful, authentic visual portrayal of scenes from the Bible including battles and martyrdom. Some scenes may not be appropriate for children—we would advise leaders and parents to treat this production like a PG-13 movie and make viewing decisions appropriately. HIDE

Q: Is the series' content biblically accurate?

A.D. is a scripted, acted drama filmed on location in the Middle East and Morocco. It is also important to remember that this is a dramatization of the Bible and certain creative liberties were taken. Many Christian scholars served as advisors and gave input as to the theological accuracy of the series.

NOTE: A.D. is a powerful, authentic visual portrayal of scenes from the Bible including battles and martyrdom. Some scenes may not be appropriate for children—we would advise leaders and parents to treat this production like a PG-13 movie and make viewing decisions appropriately. HIDE

Q: What passages of the Bible are covered?

The series covers the first ten chapters of the book of Acts. HIDE

Q: How soon can I get the A.D. Church Kit?

The kit is now available for pre-order, and the kit will ship around February 9, 2015. See the How to Get Started page for ideas on how you can plan the most effective outreach. HIDE

Q: What are the sermon topics included in the Official Church Kit?

The twelve sermons included in the Church Kit coordinate with each weekly A.D. episode. You may use the complete sermon as is or as a guideline for developing your own message. Use as little or as much of the material as suits your congregation's need and your personal style. Each week's sermon has an accompanying video clip that is accessible online. Listed below is a short summary of each sermon outline to help you begin the planning process.

• Week 1 Sermon: The Grave Robber (By Mark Batterson)
Scripture: John 11:25-26
Main Idea: Everyone wants a miracle. But here's the catch: No one wants to be in a situation that necessitates one! Of course, you can't have one without the other. The prerequisite for a miracle is a problem, and the bigger the problem, the greater the potential miracle. He is the God who can make your impossible possible!

• Week 2 Sermon: The Reality of the Resurrection (By Wilfredo "Choco" De Jesús)
Scripture: John 20:26-29
Main Idea: It matters how we treat the resurrection. It either entertains us or propels us forward. Jesus' resurrection is meant to be real in our everyday lives. Not tucked away in some nice little story, but living, breathing, and powerfully stirring our lives just as it was in the lives of the disciples.

• Week 3 Sermon: The Work of the Holy Spirit (By Dr. George O. Wood)
Scripture: Acts 2:1-4
Main Idea: The Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost fulfilled Jesus' promise in Acts chapter 1, resulting in great revival and a world-changing missions movement that is still happening today.

• Week 4 Sermon: Stand (By Herbert Cooper)
Scripture: Acts 4:18-20
Main Idea: Every day for the rest of our lives, we will face circumstances and situations where we have to choose whether we will or will not stand for Christ. Peter and John had every reason in the world to not stand for Christ. They were imprisoned, threatened, and their lives endangered, but they chose to stand and God did powerful things in and through their lives.

• Week 5 Sermon: You Can't Stop the Unstoppable (By Christine Caine)
Scripture: Acts 5:29-32
Main Idea: God used the martyring of Stephen to bring about growth, expansion, influence, and eternal life. What seemed to be an impossible situation and a dead end became the beginning of new life and the pathway to salvation for many.

• Week 6 Sermon: The Pebble Plan (By Phil Hopersberger)
Scripture: Acts 1:8
Main Idea: Start making a concerted effort to share the gospel and be involved in the Great Commission right where God has you today, in your Jerusalem, and be open to "ring out" even farther to your Judea or Samaria, or even to the ends of the earth.

• Week 7 Sermon: The Dragon Dilemma (By Phil Hopersberger)
Scripture: Romans 8:28-29
Main Idea: Just as was true for the believers in the early Church, God has a purpose for trials and persecution in each of our lives.

• Week 8 Sermon: Undeniable: What Even Skeptics Believe (By Rice Broocks)
Scripture: Acts 9:1-16
Main Idea: In a court of law, the burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt," not "possible doubt." Skeptics say things like "Isn't it possible that His disciples stole His body and then went out to preach He had been resurrected?" Yes that's possible, but it's not reasonable. To make a rational, reasonable decision, we don't really need one hundred percent certainty about anything. In the same way, God has given us enough evidence to believe.

• Week 9 Sermon: The Significance of Nobody (By Phil Hopersberger)
Scripture: Acts 9:15-16
Main Idea: The eternal impact of just one person God chooses to use here on earth is astounding—especially those who may seem unlikely to be used by God, or insignificant! Take a look at the life of Saul (Paul), David, Gideon, Deborah, and Mary to be challenged to being open to God's call on your life, and pray for those who God is raising up right now.

• Week 10 Sermon: The Barnabus Factor: When an Enemy Needs a Friend (By Greg Surratt)
Scripture: Acts 9:26-31
Main Idea: Barnabas took a risk and changed the world. God is asking us to do the same. Are you looking for opportunities to take risks in faith? Who needs you to be their Barnabas?

• Week 11 Sermon: Too Hot to Handle (By Rob Ketterling)
Scripture: Acts 9:19b-31
Main Idea: Going to new places to share the Good News of Jesus is something you'll never regret because the greatest miracle God performs is a changed life. When you're transformed, you can't help but catch the vision to go! Everything changed for Saul when he was converted on the road to Damascus, on the way to track down and imprison any who followed Christ. After his dramatic encounter with Jesus, he was transformed. Saul the persecutor became Saul the proclaimer. He caught a vision to go and proclaim the Good News that "Jesus is the Son of God."

• Week 12 Sermon: The First Roman Pygmy (By Phil Hopersberger)
Scripture: Acts 10:22; 34-36
Main Idea: The removal of the barrier between Jews and Gentiles was a game changer for the early Church. Will you ask God for opportunities to share His good news with a Cornelius, someone who is waiting for a Peter to come and answer his questions? HIDE

Q: Will the A.D. Church Kit be available digitally?

At this time, it is only available as a boxed kit. HIDE

Q: What content is featured in the Official A.D. Study & Guidebook?

• Chapter 1: Only the Beginning
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20
Main Idea: Focus on the many responses of Jesus' followers to the crucifixion and news of His resurrection. Who do you identify with?

• Chapter 2: Wait for It
Scripture: Acts 1:1-8, Luke 24:44-52
Main Idea: Jesus reassures followers through various appearances including Peter (provide). He promises Holy Spirit (promise) and asks followers to wait (petition). What does it look like when God asks us to wait, and our response to Him when he provides, promises, and petitions?

• Chapter 3: Pentecost Power
Scripture: Acts 2:1-4, 14-15, 38-42; 3:1-11
Main Idea: When the day of Pentecost came, the Holy Spirit brought power with purpose. For what purpose has God given you power?

• Chapter 4: Perseverance in Peril
Scripture: Acts 4:1-21, 5:11-16
Main Idea: In the midst of persecution, opposition was present, but the power was still there and God was still at work to give perseverance though all kinds of difficulties.

• Chapter 5: A Bigger Story
Scripture: Acts 5:29-32, 6:8, 7:1-8:1
Main Idea: Through the story of Stephen's ability to see God's glory beyond his immediate situation into the eternal, we learn there is a bigger story at work.

• Chapter 6: Scattered Seeds
Scripture: Acts 8:1-17
Main Idea: The early Church faced persecution, fear, and scattering, but still grew in numbers and influence. How does this impact our faith today and help us proclaim Jesus boldly?

• Chapter 7: More Than Words
Scripture: Acts 8:6-13
Main Idea: Philip doesn't just bring words, there are healings and miracles. Action impacts they way people hear our message about the Lord.

• Chapter 8: Respond to God
Scripture: Acts 9:1-22
Main Idea: Saul's dramatic conversion leads us to look at our own surrender to God on the journey, and how He might use us in the salvation of others.

• Chapter 9: Life Moments
Scripture: Acts 8:26-40
Main Idea: Philip's sharing of the Gospel with the Ethiopian Eunuch points us to focus on being faithfully obedient to what God calls us to do each day of life.

• Chapter 10: Respond to People
Scripture: Acts 9:10-22, 26-27
Main Idea: When Paul attempts to join the disciples who are afraid of him and do not trust him, we learn about God's grace, salvation for all, and His ability to work outside of our stereotypes.

• Chapter 11: Credit the Source
Scripture: Acts 9:32-42
Main Idea: Peter healed Aeneas and did not say "I heal you," but rather "Jesus Christ heals you." Keeping the focus on the Lord allows many people to be pointed to Him and believe.

• Chapter 12: Unstoppable
Scripture: Acts 10, 11:15-17
Main Idea: The turmoil and persecution of the early Church could do nothing to stop the spread. What is our part in bringing God's love and salvation to all people today? HIDE

Q: How do I use the video sermon clips?

The sermon clips are only available online. After you purchase the Church Kit, you will need to log in with your email address and password provided on the Outreach.com website to access the clips. HIDE

Q: What is included in the Official A.D. Church Kit?

Learn more about the Official A.D. Church Kit, here. HIDE

Q: Can I preview the A.D. Church Kit?

Unfortunately we can't make these available for preview. However, you can preview the first two sermons on the Outreach.com/A.D. website soon. HIDE

Q: Can my church stream our service that includes clips from the A.D. Church Kit?

Yes, as long as the service is not downloadable, you can livestream the service where the clips are used. You cannot sell DVD recordings of your service that include A.D. clips or post them to a public website (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo) or show the clips on television. The clips are copyright protected and selling them violates that copyright. HIDE

Q: How long should I plan for the study after the episode?

Although it will depend on your group and how you use the Study & Guidebook, we recommend allowing 30 minutes to one hour for study and discussion after each episode. HIDE

Q: Will the series be available as a site license for my church?

This is a future possibility, and more information will be posted as it becomes available. HIDE

Q: Why should my church do this campaign?

Millions of people across the nation will be watching A.D.! The sermon series presents an opportunity to teach on the Book of Acts and have the TV series and video clips bring the messages to life. It is recommended that you launch your series on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, to coincide with the NBC's premier of A.D. that evening. Imagine your congregation and community celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, and then watching the birth of the early church on primetime television with friends and neighbors!

The Official A.D. Church Kit includes everything you need to launch a sermon series and outreach campaign, including sermons and video clips that correspond with each episode. HIDE