Grow Guide | July 28, 2024
Series Theme: Together as One
Reading: Acts 2:1-10
Connecting Question
Did your family make any pilgrimages, special trips, that were memorable for you?
Does your family speak another language? If not, do you know someone who does?
Prayer for Illumination
Since we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth, make us hunger for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
Context
We begin a new series, Together As One, examining how the church first came together. How can Easter reflect this as we build community with each other, our community, and other Christians? When we trust in the Spirit and work TOGETHER anything is possible. For the next six Sundays, through Sept 1, we will be reading through Acts, chapter 2. Explore the joy of community this summer at Easter!
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 Acts 1:1. What was his “former book?” It’s the Gospel of Luke. Luke and Acts were written by the same author. Open to Luke 1. What does the author say is the “why” they are writing this book in Luke 1 and Acts 1?
Find Acts 1:8. This is the mission statement of the book of Acts. What is the hope of this verse?
Who is someone in your life you would wish to encounter the love of God? Pause and pray that they do today.
Over the next six weeks, we will be practicing the discipline of staying one chapter of scripture! What event is happening in Acts 1:12 and following that leads up to chapter 2?
Google “Pentecost.” What is it?
Acts 2:2 describes the Holy Spirit how? What other times does wind shown up in scripture? See Genesis 1:2.
This story is sometimes called the “birthday of the church.” Why?
Who did the “tongues of fire” rest on? Who did it not rest on?
What was the first gift given to everyone in Acts 2:4? Why do think that gift was first?
What is a gift do you think God has given you? How have you seen that gift at work?
Is love a language? Why or why not? How does the church—the people—speak that language? How does it not speak the language of love?
Read Acts 2:5 what city were they in? Why does that matter? Who else was in the city?
Why is there a giant list of countries?
What is being “shared” in Acts 2:11?
What is good news in this story for you?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Learn more about one of Easter’s partners who speak other languages; Guatemala, Tanzania, or Homework Help!
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.