week of 1/28

Unit 30 Session 1

THE CHURCH GROWS

ACTS 2

Both the bold preaching of Peter and the large number of people who trusted in Christ reveal the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people.

The Holy Spirit came to the first followers of Jesus. They then had the power they needed to take the gospel to the nations (Acts 1:8). This work started with Peter, who boldly and clearly proclaimed the good news about Jesus to the people who had gathered for the Pentecost celebration. God's power through the Holy Spirit was on display, both in the message Peter proclaimed and in the response of those who believed.

Points to consider:

✞   God's people are empowered to proclaim 

     Jesus boldly.

     * What do we learn about what is needed to 

        share the good news of Jesus through Peter's 

        sermon?

     * Why is it important to know our audience to 

        better spread the message of the gospel?

✞   God's people are empowered to call others 

     to repentance.

     * Why do you think Peter combines repentance 

        and baptism as a response to the gospel?

     * How does the Holy Spirit shape your life?

✞   God's people are empowered to live together 

     as one.

     * How can you be part of building up the body in 

        your church?

     * With what attitudes do you perform Christian 

        activity or service?

week of 1/21

Unit 29 Session 4

THE SPIRIT EMPOWERS

JOHN  16 ; ROMANS 8 ; 1 CORINTHIANS 2

The Holy Spirit begins the work of salvation through the ministry of conviction and then continues by guiding the person toward truth and leading those who trust in Christ.

The Old Testament prophets promised a day when the Spirit of God would dwell in God's people (Isaiah 44:1-5; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Joel 2:28-32), and Jesus modeled a life with the Spirit's presence and power (Luke 4:1, 18; Matthew 12:28). Jesus promised that the Spirit would come (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:7) and the church experienced this arrival at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Today, the Holy Spirit works through all believers, empowering them to live for Christ and assisting them as they proclaim the gospel to all nations.

Points to consider:

✞   The Holy Spirit convicts the world.

     * How is the Holy Spirit a counselor, 

        helper, comforter, and advocate in 

        our everyday life?

     * In what ways have you seen the Holy 

        Spirit drawing others to faith in Christ?

✞   The Holy Spirit guides toward truth.

     * How can we walk in step with the Spirit's 

        guidance?

     * What are you thankful for in regards to 

        the Spirit?

✞   The Holy Spirit leads God's people.

     * How do we put sins to death?

     * How does the knowledge that we are 

        heirs with Christ through adoption by 

        the Holy Spirit give us hope for the future?

week of 1/14

Unit 29 Session 3

THE SPIRIT ENABLES

ACTS 2

The disciples obeyed Jesus and waited for the Holy Spirit to come as promised, an arrival that was marked by great power from God.

For ten days following Christ's ascension to Heaven, the disciples had been in Jerusalem. They were waiting for the Father's promise of the Holy Spirit, which would empower them to be Christ's witnesses to the whole world. During this time, they dedicated themselves to prayer and prepared for the next phase of their ministry by filling Judas' apostolic vacancy with Matthias. Finally, the day arrived, and they were about to experience the power of the Spirit in their lives.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus' disciples obey Christ.

     * How can knowing that God's 

        timing is always perfect encourage 

        us in our walk of faith?

     * How does obedience to God's Word 

        affect our lives?

✞   Jesus' disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit.

     * Jesus told the disciples that they would experience 

        the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How is the arrival 

        of the Holy Spirit like baptism?

     * Why is it important that Christ's disciples be filled 

        with the Holy Spirit?

✞   Jesus' disciples reveal God's works.

     * How can you develop more relationships 

        with those of various cultures to share 

        the gospel?

     * How should the presence of the Holy Spirit 

        in our lives help us to not fear rejection or 

        hostility when sharing the Gospel with others?

week of 1/7

Unit 29 Session 2

THE WAITING COMMENCES

ACTS 1

The disciples chose Matthias to replace Judas in accordance with the Scriptures and God's leading.

After Jesus explained to the disciples that they would bear witness from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, Jesus ascended to Heaven. As the disciples watched where Jesus had gone, two angels appeared and assured them of Christ's return. All of this led to today's text, where we see the disciples obeyed Christ's command to wait as they prepared for the ministry that would follow when the Holy Spirit arrived.

Points to consider:

✞   Jesus' disciples unite in prayer.

     * Why is it sometimes hard to be 

        obedient to Jesus?

     * How has praying with others helped 

        you to deepen your sense of connection 

        with God and with your community of 

        believers?

✞   Jesus' disciples follow the Scriptures.

     * How does believing the Word of God is 

        true affect how we live?
     * What are ways we can learn to obey 

        Scripture more on a daily basis?

✞   Jesus' disciples trust in God.

     * When making a major decision, 

        what are some helpful tips to 

        help make the right decision?
     * When in your life have you asked 

        for God's leading, He answered, 

        but you didn't want to obey and 

        follow?

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?