Here Am I, Send Me - The Spirit Experience - Acts 28
At the closing of the book of Acts, Luke beckons us to look back, not only looking at the successes and failures of the church but to look at them through the life of Paul. We see where challenges and struggles with eyes that will not see and ears that will not hear take place. Yet, Paul, in chains, still preaches without hindrance. He continues to say, “Here am I! Send me!” May we face the challenges with the same creed.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Rough Seas”
Tell a story of a time when you tried to tell someone something important and they didn’t understand.
Read Acts 28:17-31. What does Paul do in Rome? Why do so many people not believe his message about Jesus?
Read Isaiah 6:1-13. Isaiah is a prophet called by God to speak His word to His people. What is the message Isaiah has to say to God’s people who had gone astray in the Old Testament?
Why do you think Paul quotes Isaiah at this point in Acts?
What should we do with the message Jesus gives us, in a world that often doesn’t want to hear? How does the ending of Acts give you hope?
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Rough Seas - The Spirit Experience - Acts 27
Paul has been passed from local official to local official. No one knows what to do with him; they think he is innocent, but he wants to stand before Caesar. This sends Paul into the chaos of the sea, riding a ship from the outskirts of the empire to the center of Rome. But along the way there are problems. Huge storms and a shipwreck show us God’s love and guiding grace among difficult times.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Rough Seas”
Read Acts 27:13-26. What happens along Paul’s journey to Rome? What promise does Jesus, through an angel of the Lord, give Paul?
When are some times that you have felt in distress in your life? What is God’s promise for you? How do you know His promise is true?
Read Acts 27:27-44. What does God use to preserve his people through the 14 days of the storm? What is Paul’s role in this?
What is God’s promise for us in the midst of suffering? How can you encourage a Christian friend who is going through suffering in their life?
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Belts and Bribes - The Spirit Experience - Acts 20-26
Paul wants to go to Jerusalem to visit the church there; however, on his way, folks keep talking about Paul in chains down in Jerusalem. When he arrives, a riot immediately ensues, forcing the rioters and the government to act in the only powers they know. Paul is showing them and us a different way, where we don't have to worry about what the opposition will do to us. Paul is showing us the way of the kingdom.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Belts and Bribes”
Read Acts 21:7-16. How does Paul respond to Agabus when he prophesied that Paul will be put into prison?
Often times things can be scary for us in our faith. How can Paul’s trust in Jesus encourage you?
After Paul is arrested, he gives similar speeches in his defense. Read 22:1-22. What are the key points of his speech?
In times when the world seems to persecute you, how can you keep speaking of Jesus and the resurrection?
Bonus Question: For an overview of this whole section, read Acts 20-26. What are some common elements across these chapters? How do they help us understand the way of Jesus?
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True Power - The Spirit Experience - Acts 19
Paul walks into Ephesus, and he sees multiple displays of power. First he sees the Spirit of God when some are baptized and they begin speaking in tongues. Then he sees the Spirit when some begin to use the power for their own gain and are quickly humbled. Finally, there’s power of the crowd when they feel Paul’s message of Jesus threatens their city and their God.
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Freedom To”
Read Acts 15:1-5. What is the issue that the church is facing?
Read Acts 15:6-22. What is their decision regarding this issue? How do they go about making their decision?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Their decision at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 deals with how to live under the freedom of Christ. How does Paul in 1 Corinthians shed more light on this?
What are some temptations you have faced that cause you to use the freedom you have in Christ that is permissible but not beneficial?
How does Christ and His attitude towards you and other sinners serve as a model to imitate for neighbors in your life?
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Manufactured Gods - The Spirit Experience - Acts 17
Paul goes into a new city; first he goes to the Jews then he ends up with the Greeks. However, when he goes up to Athens, he does not go to the Jewish center but instead to the center of Greekness, Mars Hill, where the learned came and discussed the wisdom of the world. But sometimes gaps show up in the manufactured idols, and statues get made to unknown gods. Paul gives this unknown god a name and tells his story.
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Freedom To - The Spirit Experience - Acts 15
Back in Jerusalem the church is hearing all these amazing stories about how the pagan Gentiles are confessing their sins and turning towards the one true God. They are rejoicing until someone in their midst asks if they are circumcised. After all, this one God they are worshiping called for all His followers to be circumcised. What does the church do? Actually maybe the correct question is how does the church handle the issue?
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON DURING THE WEEK - “Freedom To”
Read Acts 15:1-5. What is the issue that the church is facing?
Read Acts 15:6-22. What is their decision regarding this issue? How do they go about making their decision?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Their decision at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 deals with how to live under the freedom of Christ. How does Paul in 1 Corinthians shed more light on this?
What are some temptations you have faced that cause you to use the freedom you have in Christ that is permissible but not beneficial?
How does Christ and His attitude towards you and other sinners serve as a model to imitate for neighbors in your life?
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Zealous - The Spirit Experience - Acts 13
Paul stands up before the willing synagogue and retells the story of Israel to them. However, he upsets all those in power in how he tells the story. Those powerful Jews then attack Paul and kick him out in a zealous rage. Watch your Zealous Nature.
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Answer the Door, Rhoda - The Spirit Experience - Acts 12
Rhoda and all her Christian friends are praying for Peter. He is imprisoned by a murderous Herod, and suddenly he is miraculously freed from prison. He then goes to his praying friend’s house, knocks on the door, and yells, “Let me in, guys!” Rhoda hears Peter’s voice and thinks it’s a ghost and runs inside. Answer the door, Rhoda.
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It's Not About The Bacon - The Spirit Experience - Acts 10
Peter is sleeping, but then he gets a vision from the Lord. Bacon, lobster, and Christmas ham: Oh my! The Lord looks at Peter and says not to call dirty what the He has made clean. The Lord has made all food good for Peter to eat. But when Peter meets a Roman general, he realizes it’s not about the bacon.
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Pursuing Purity - The Spirit Experience - Acts 8-9
Saul sees his job as one of purity. He is trying to hunt down this new strand of idolatry, those followers of Jesus (this so called “The Way”) and imprison them. His job is done so well that those in “The Way” have left Jerusalem and have begun spreading to the ends of the earth. But his job is not done yet; he chases them to Damascus to imprison them. However, as he is pursuing purity, he discovers that their spreading has already happened.
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Letting Go - The Spirit Experience - Acts 6-8
The story of Stephen in Acts is remarkable. He’s a man who comes to prominence when the disciples needed help with the dishes. This man was a thorn of discomfort to the religious leaders of the temple, and they began to rile up the crowds against him saying Stephen wanted to destroy the temple. He then tells the story of God’s people saying that it has always been about letting go.
As you read through Luke, what has been one new thing you have learned about Jesus?
What is something that you held onto that you now see held you back?
Read Acts 6:8-15. What do the people claim Stephen is doing wrong?
Read Acts 7:1-53. To refute the claims, Stephen tells the biblical story. What are the key ideas and points that he makes? What is the overall idea he is telling?
Read Acts 7:54-60. What does Stephen say as he’s being stoned? What gives him the strength to do this?
Stephen ultimately asks the father to forgive all those who are stoning him. Who is someone you can offer forgiveness to this week?
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The Beautiful Name - The Spirit Experience - Acts 3-5
Outside the temple there was a gate called Beautiful. This gate was a sign post as to how the kingdom of God was here with the people, and that kingdom was making everything beautiful. However, outside this beautiful gate is a disabled beggar asking for change. This gate is hardly living up to the expectation of its name, but then Peter comes by and gives this beggar life and beauty in a name that is above every name.
As you read through Luke, what has been one new thing you have learned about Jesus?
What does the name of Jesus mean to you?
Read Acts 3:1-10. What does the crippled man ask for? How does Peter respond? How does Jesus work in this situation?
What do you think the name of Jesus means for the disabled man after he is healed?
Read Acts 4:1-14. How do the leaders of the temple respond to the healing? Why do you think they are so upset?
What does Peter say in response? What does it look like for you to trust in the name of Jesus only?
How can you use this story to encourage someone this week?
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They Must Have Been Drunk - The Spirit Experience - Acts 2
The Spirit of God comes like a wind, and all these people begin to speak in other languages and perform other wild acts. The people around are all amazed, and some say that all these people must be day drinking to act so weird. But they were not drunk; they were just acting in love of God our Father.
As you read through Luke, what has been one new thing you have learned about Jesus?
How would you describe the Holy Spirit to someone who had never heard about the Holy Spirit before?
Read Acts 2:1-21. What happens when the Holy Spirit comes? What do people from the scripture think has happened?
What does Peter say has happened?
Read Joel 2:28-32. What is the connection between Joel and Peter’s sermon?
What are some things the Holy Spirit does in your life that would cause people in the world to think you are “crazy” or “filled with new wine?”
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You Will Be - The Spirit Experience - Acts 1
Jesus is alive! He has been hanging out and teaching the disciples for 40 days now and they ask him a question. Jesus we have seen what you can do the power you have, when will you restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus then looks at them, quotes Isaiah and says you will be…… and disappears into God’s presence.
As you read through Luke, what has been one new thing you have learned about Jesus?
What comes to your mind when you think about the book of Acts?
Read Acts 1:6-11. What question do the disciples ask Jesus? Why do you think they would ask Him that?
What does Jesus promise will happen?
Who is someone that you have seen in the world which needs the love of Jesus? What has prevented you from sharing that love?
Have you ever thought that Jesus may be sending you to bring His restoration to that person?
What would it look like for Jesus to use you to be His witness in that situation?
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Dec 15th. Starring Lauren Graham, Judy Greer, and Pete Holmes.