THE CHURCH BEGINS
Acts 1:1-11
The Church begins with a new power. (4-5)
Promised power (Jn 14:16-17)
Spirit’s power (Rom 8:11)
Delayed power (Acts 1:4)
The Church begins with a (re)new(ed) purpose. (6-8)
The purpose has started
The purpose is God’s (and ours)
Our purpose is not finished!
The Church begins with a new perspective. (9-11)
“Men and women of Granger, why do you sit waiting for heaven? Jesus is coming back (and you have a purpose to fulfill)!”
God has placed me
to accomplish His purpose with
with His power of the Holy Spirit which He has already given me.
Discussion Guide
Open Up
Describe a time when you experienced the power of something.
Have you ever had experienced the Spirit’s power in church?
What are some of the events and stories you remember from the Book of Acts?
Dig In
What are some of the new things the apostles might have had to deal with during this time? What might have been the most difficult “new thing” they would have needed to get used to?
Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important to the Christian faith? (1 Cor 15:7)
Read Isaiah 43:10 and 49:6. How do these verses support the idea that God’s mission for the church is not new but renewed?
What are some of the promised benefits of the Holy Spirit? (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26)
Live Out
The first question we must ask is, “Do I REALLY want Jesus to do something new in my life and in the church?” If your answer is ‘No,’ explain why you feel this way.
What are some things that would change in your life if the Holy Spirit came upon you in power to be God’s witness?
Are you willing to have that happen? Are you willing to ask for it?
List one practical thing you will do throughout the next several weeks of this series in expectation that God will do something new (i.e., daily prayer, fasting, devotions, etc.)?
PRAY that God will do whatever is necessary to use you as a part of His mission.
PRAY that God will do something (re)new(ed) in our church.