Grow Guide | April 7, 2024
Series Theme: Community in Christ
Reading: Acts 1:1-8
Connecting Questions
What’s a memorable Easter celebration you remember?
What is one of your “superpowers?”
Prayer for Illumination
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ. We rejoice with Christians all over the world today. Help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. We pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Context
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia. We begin a series, Community in Christ, learning about the formation of the early Christian community from Acts and 1 Corinthians. How did they build community when they had diversity and conflict? Let’s look at what we can learn from them. Being in one building will help us live as one community and focus our attention and resources on being community and on being good neighbors. Being community in Christ is BOTH growing in faith and carrying on the work of Jesus Christ. So glad you are here!
From Pastor Sarah Henrich at EntertheBible.org:
The story of Acts tracks the progress of the Christ-centered gospel from the earliest Jesus community in Jerusalem (following Jesus’ ascension) outward to parts of Judea, Samaria, Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. Along the way, communities of believers were established and developed, baptized in the name of Jesus and gathered around prayer, Scripture study, meals, and care for one another.
Look at the Book
Open to Luke 24:50-53. How does Luke’s story end?
Jump to Acts 1:1. The “first book” the author mentions is the Gospel of Luke. Luke and Acts are written by the same person.
What does Luke say about his “first book?” What was the content (vs 1-3)?
How are instructions given to people according to verse 2?
What do you know about the Holy Spirit?
Luke mentions the word “apostle.” This is a Greek word meaning “the sent ones.” Being a follower of Jesus is not a passive experience but one where we use our gifts for the sake of the world God loves!
In verse 3, who “presented himself alive?” How many days was he around? Why is that number important?
In verse 4, why were the disciples asked to stay in Jerusalem?
In verse 5, Jesus promises those disciples not only baptism by water, but how? The Spirit’s presence is with us always! It empowers our service.
What’s the honest question asked of Jesus in verse 6? And how does Jesus respond in verse 7?
"Power” in verse 8 is where we get the English word “dynamite.” What does the power Jesus promises us, rooted in our baptism, give us the ability to do?
Look at the list of cities and communities. Why do you think Jesus chose that list?
Why is Samaria on the list? What do we know about Samaritans?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
What will you do with your God-given power?
What is one loving act you can share with the world today?
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.