Community Group Leader Guide
Acts Lesson 1
Community Group Leader Guide Our Spirit-Empowered Mission [Acts 1:1-12] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS Primer Question: Can you recall a time you were sent on an important mission? What was it like? What made it important? Read Acts 1:1-12. Luke picks up this book where he left off his last book (the Gospel of Luke). After addressing his recipient (Theophilus – the same person he wrote to previously), he launches into what Jesus has been doing and telling his disciples since he rose from the grave. The focus of this passage is that Jesus is sending his followers out on a mission. What do we learn about Jesus’ role in this this mission?
Instructions – Jesus continued to teach the disciples. Jesus’ teachings are the instruction manual for this mission. “Convincing proofs” – Jesus is actually risen, and he demonstrated it. The Kingdom of God –The mission is about God’s reign spreading in people’s hearts
Jesus reminds his disciples of a “gift my Father has promised” – that is, the Holy Spirit (see Luke 24:49). What do we learn about the Holy Spirit’s role in this mission?
He will baptize – Like immersion in water, followers of Christ will be flooded and filled with the gift of God’s presence. He will cleanse – Immersion baptism symbolized repentance and washing away sins. The Holy Spirit works to sanctify (progressively make holy) believers. He will bring power – The Holy Spirit enables disciples to do this mission
Finally, . What do we learn about the apostle’s role in this mission?
They were witnesses to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ Their goal was clear: to spread the news through Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth Their first step was to wait on power from God
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 1
APPLICATION
What is our role in this mission? o Our ministry scope is universal.1 It should include where we live, but not be confined to the comforts of “staying home.” We are sent to be witnesses, to our friends, to our neighbors, to our city, to our country, and even to the ends of the earth.
Like the apostles, we are called to be witnesses. What are some ways you have shared Christ with others? What are some ways you can grow in this?
After all these instructions, Jesus ascended to heaven. While the disciples stood there watching, angels showed up to remind them that Jesus is coming back. Why was that an important reminder for them? Why is that important for us? o Christ’s return is both our hope and our motivation. While it gives us security and peace, it should also spur us on to be witnesses for Christ. If we have one without the other, we haven’t fully grasped God’s mission yet.
PRAYER
HUDDLES & APPRENTICES Model | Living as witnesses for Christ requires boldness that comes only from God. Seek God for this strength through the Spirit, and then step out in faith into opportunities he gives to share the good news of Christ. Experience | Invite your CG to pray for God’s power and boldness to live as witnesses for Christ. Challenge them to look for God-given opportunities in this next week to share the good news of Christ. Debrief | Discuss what opportunities God provided in huddles. Pray for one another.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 1
Study Notes Our Spirit-Empowered Mission [Acts 1:1-12] BIBLE REFERENCE Acts 1 is on page 591 of the Crossway Bible. Use this reference for newcomers.
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND Apostles (v. 2) With only a couple exceptions, Luke is always referring to the Twelve Apostles when he uses this term in Acts. Baptized with the Holy Spirit (v. 5) More teaching on this will come in Acts 2. If folks have questions about this, don’t necessarily try to answer them in this lesson. Rather, encourage them to practice “waiting” for understanding on what Jesus meant like the apostles did. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, end of the earth (v. 8) Like concentric geographic circles, this map moves from Jerusalem outward all the way to the known world.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 1
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Study Tools for Acts Darrell Bock, Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) Eckhard Schnabel, Acts (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) N. T. Wright, Acts for Everyone
Provided to aid your study and preparation, these additional notes are adapted from various sources, including commentaries, dictionaries, textbooks, and the ESV Study Bible.
1
Schnabel, Acts, 88.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Community Group Leader Guide Our Spirit-Empowered Mission [Acts 1:1-12] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS Primer Question: Can you recall a time you were sent on an important mission? What was it like? What made it important? Read Acts 1:1-12. Luke picks up this book where he left off his last book (the Gospel of Luke). After addressing his recipient (Theophilus – the same person he wrote to previously), he launches into what Jesus has been doing and telling his disciples since he rose from the grave. The focus of this passage is that Jesus is sending his followers out on a mission. What do we learn about Jesus’ role in this this mission?
Instructions – Jesus continued to teach the disciples. Jesus’ teachings are the instruction manual for this mission. “Convincing proofs” – Jesus is actually risen, and he demonstrated it. The Kingdom of God –The mission is about God’s reign spreading in people’s hearts
Jesus reminds his disciples of a “gift my Father has promised” – that is, the Holy Spirit (see Luke 24:49). What do we learn about the Holy Spirit’s role in this mission?
He will baptize – Like immersion in water, followers of Christ will be flooded and filled with the gift of God’s presence. He will cleanse – Immersion baptism symbolized repentance and washing away sins. The Holy Spirit works to sanctify (progressively make holy) believers. He will bring power – The Holy Spirit enables disciples to do this mission
Finally, . What do we learn about the apostle’s role in this mission?
They were witnesses to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ Their goal was clear: to spread the news through Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth Their first step was to wait on power from God
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 1
APPLICATION
What is our role in this mission? o Our ministry scope is universal.1 It should include where we live, but not be confined to the comforts of “staying home.” We are sent to be witnesses, to our friends, to our neighbors, to our city, to our country, and even to the ends of the earth.
Like the apostles, we are called to be witnesses. What are some ways you have shared Christ with others? What are some ways you can grow in this?
After all these instructions, Jesus ascended to heaven. While the disciples stood there watching, angels showed up to remind them that Jesus is coming back. Why was that an important reminder for them? Why is that important for us? o Christ’s return is both our hope and our motivation. While it gives us security and peace, it should also spur us on to be witnesses for Christ. If we have one without the other, we haven’t fully grasped God’s mission yet.
PRAYER
HUDDLES & APPRENTICES Model | Living as witnesses for Christ requires boldness that comes only from God. Seek God for this strength through the Spirit, and then step out in faith into opportunities he gives to share the good news of Christ. Experience | Invite your CG to pray for God’s power and boldness to live as witnesses for Christ. Challenge them to look for God-given opportunities in this next week to share the good news of Christ. Debrief | Discuss what opportunities God provided in huddles. Pray for one another.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 1
Study Notes Our Spirit-Empowered Mission [Acts 1:1-12] BIBLE REFERENCE Acts 1 is on page 591 of the Crossway Bible. Use this reference for newcomers.
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND Apostles (v. 2) With only a couple exceptions, Luke is always referring to the Twelve Apostles when he uses this term in Acts. Baptized with the Holy Spirit (v. 5) More teaching on this will come in Acts 2. If folks have questions about this, don’t necessarily try to answer them in this lesson. Rather, encourage them to practice “waiting” for understanding on what Jesus meant like the apostles did. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, end of the earth (v. 8) Like concentric geographic circles, this map moves from Jerusalem outward all the way to the known world.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 1
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Study Tools for Acts Darrell Bock, Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) Eckhard Schnabel, Acts (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) N. T. Wright, Acts for Everyone
Provided to aid your study and preparation, these additional notes are adapted from various sources, including commentaries, dictionaries, textbooks, and the ESV Study Bible.
1
Schnabel, Acts, 88.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
