week of 12/31

Unit 29 Session 1

THE COMMISSION RECEIVED

ACTS 1

Jesus' disciples were to carry out their mission of telling the world about Him, a mission they could only fulfill through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts picks up where the Gospel of Luke ends. After Jesus' resurrection, He spent forty days with His disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He did this to prepare them for life and ministry in His physical absence. The disciples were nervous and anxious about the next phase of their lives and ministry, but Jesus gathered them, commissioned them, and assured them of the promise of the Holy Spirit and His physical return.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus' disciples rely on the power of the Spirit.

     * How do you see the Holy Spirit as a promised blessing 

        in the life of the believer?

     * How should the awareness of the Holy Spirit being in 

        your life impact your daily life and relationship with 

        God?

✞   Jesus' disciples fulfill the mission of the Father.

     * Why was it important for Christ to refocus the disciples' 
        attention from the restoration of Israel to the Father's 
        ultimate plan?
     * Do you think the first disciples completed this commission 
        and why?

✞   Jesus' disciples anticipate the return of the Son.

     * In John 14:1-7, the disciples were distraught at the thought 
        of Christ leaving. Why do they now seem composed in Acts 
        as He returned to the Father?
     * How should our anticipation for Christ's return motivate 
        our activity to be His witnesses?

week of 12/24

Unit 28  Session 4

GOD IS HERE

ISAIAH 55 ; MATTHEW 28

God made the perfect way to be with His people through Christ Jesus.

It's easy to read a story and picture the setting in our minds. But the Bible is different. Though the narrative occurred in a specific time and place, it connects directly to many more stories spread across years and miles within the Bible. Today's passage is no different. Jesus spoke to His disciples from a mountain in Galilee, but His words reached back into the Old Testament. In His final words, Jesus reveals not only Himself but also His purpose for His followers.

Points to consider:

✞   The Lord is with His people from high above.

     * How is knowing God is beyond us encourage you?

     * How do you respond to knowing God always had 

        a plan of redemption because of His love for His 

        people?

✞   The Lord is with His people with full authority.

     * How do obedience, worship, and doubt mix in 

        someone's walk of faith?

     * If we know and believe that Jesus has all authority, 

        how should that change our prayer life and spiritual 

        walk?

✞   The Lord is with His people forever and always.

     * What are some practical ways to make disciples?

     * How does Jesus' promise "I am with you" give you 

        courage to make disciples?

week of 12/17

Unit 28  Session 3

PEOPLE ARE RESTORED

JOHN 21

In giving Peter the opportunity to confess his love three times, Jesus demonstrated His forgiveness and desire to restore fellowship with His own.

Jesus had appeared to His disciples twice in Jerusalem a week apart. But that wouldn't be the only place He would come to them as the resurrected Lord. Jesus had left instruction for the disciples with the women who had come to His tomb: Go to Galilee. They would see Jesus there (Matthew 28:16). Galilee had been home base throughout most of Jesus' earthly ministry, so it probably felt like going home for them. We can only imagine them wondering what was coming next and waiting for Jesus' next appearance.

Points to consider:

✞   The risen Messiah reveals Himself.

     * What are some reasons we might struggle 

         to recognize the presence or work of Jesus 

         in our lives?

     * When has Jesus led you to do something 

         odd or contrary to a societal norm and 

         how did you respond?

✞   The risen Messiah enjoys relationship.

     * How do you respond when you experience 

        Jesus' presence in any given moment?

     * What does it look like to enjoy fellowship 

         with Jesus and others today?

✞   The risen Messiah restores fellowship.

     * What can we be doing to minister to other 

         believers, whether or not we're called to 

         full-time service?

     * When has bold faith  because of love for 

         Christ led to persecution or trials in 

         your life?

week of 12/10

 Unit 28  Session 2

DOUBTS ARE OVERCOME

JOHN 20

While all are invited to believe in Jesus, not all are willing to place their faith in Jesus so that they might be saved.

Luke 24:36-49 and John 20:19-23 tell the same story from different perspectives. John added a little more detail: not only did Jesus appear to the Eleven and some other disciples, He also showed them His hands and side, offered peace, pledged the Holy Spirit, and gave them instructions on forgiveness. What a moment! When the small group of followers had been contemplating whether or not to believe the testimony of a few, Jesus Himself showed up and removed all doubt. His visible, tangible, spiritual, and emotional proof gave them what they needed to believe. And Thomas missed it.

Points to consider:

✞   Belief is passed down by faithful witnesses.

     * Why is it difficult for some people to be 

        faithful witnesses of the gospel?

     * How does knowing God honors our search 

        for truth remind us that our faith is not blind?

✞   Belief is based on the historical resurrection of Jesus.

     * How does the historical resurrection of Jesus and its 

        validity bring you peace and encouragement?

    * Knowing the Bible is true and reliable, what are some 

        ways we can encourage ourselves and others to read 

        and study it more?

✞   Belief is grounded in confessing Jesus is Lord.

     * How have you submitted to Jesus as your Lord 

        and God this past week?

     * How do you feel "blessed" through your faith 

        in Jesus?

week of 12/3

Unit 28  Session 1

SCRIPTURES ARE CONFIRMED

LUKE 24

In appearing to His followers, the risen Jesus gave them, and all who believe, peace, hope, and confidence.

Luke 24 opens on resurrection morning, when some women bringing spices for the body of Jesus found the stone rolled away from His tomb and two gleaming angels instead. The mourning women were terrified, but Jesus had risen! The women told the disciples, who thought the women were out of their minds, but Peter went to see the open tomb. That same day, two disciples heading to Emmaus encountered a Stranger Who seemed to be completely unaware of Jesus and His tragic death. The most exciting part of the world's greatest story was just beginning.

Points to consider:

✞   The risen Messiah brings peace.

     * How can we know and experience 

        the peace of Christ in the midst of 

        panic, chaos, or confusion?

     * How can we apply our knowledge 

        of God's transcendence to our lives?

✞   The risen Messiah overcomes doubts.

     * What have you experienced in the 

        past that made you doubt God and 

        how did Jesus reveal Himself in it?

    * How do we help others (or ourselves) 

        when we face doubts about God or 

        His Word?

✞   The risen Messiah fulfills Scripture.

     * How can studying God's fulfilled 

        promises in the Bible strengthen 

        your faith even today?

     * How are we called to be witnesses 

        today?