Introduction
Kick of the discussion with prayer followed by this week’s reading and discussion questions
You can use the kick off prayer below (or do your own), and give time for others to pray into the night together.
Example kick off prayer: Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.
Passage: The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers...
Acts 2:
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Discussion
- Have you experienced a moment where God’s presence felt especially real or powerful?
- The crowd was ‘cut to the heart’ and asked, ‘What shall we do?’ Has there been a moment when God confronted you deeply—what changed afterward?
- Pentecost birthed a community devoted to teaching, prayer, and generosity. What part of Spirit-filled community do you long for most right now?
- Have you ever prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit or to be baptised in the Holy Spirit? What happened?
- Share with one another and pray for one another. Pray for God to speak into your direct questions and circumstance. If you would like to be filled with the Holy Spirit or Baptised in the Holy spirit, ask for prayer. Then lay hands on one another and pray ernestly.
If any questions arose, which you would like to follow up on, please reach out to one of the elders in person, via phone or Ask a Pastor.
Habit of Grace
Habit of Grace: Witness
The story of Pentecost shows us that the Spirit empowers ordinary people to proclaim an extraordinary gospel. God didn’t wait until they were polished or perfect—He filled them and sent them. In the same way, we are not left alone to figure out how to reach others. The Spirit equips us to speak, listen, love, and act in ways that help others encounter Jesus.
You don’t need to be eloquent. You just need to be willing.
Practice:
- Continue praying everyday this month for the 3 people you identified last week.
- As week continue in prayer for others, let us commit to praying that we be filled with the spirit and empowered to witness.
- This week select at least 1 of the 3 people you are praying for and make an appointment to see them. If is someone you see regularly such as a family member or coworker, invite them to something that is not routine and one on one, such as a coffee or dinner.
- Listen to last week's sermon to help manage expectations on yourself. You are stepping out in faith and praying that God provides the opportunity and the ability to speak. Evangelism is God's problem and your joy!
Pray:
Pray with one another that we may be so rooted in our identity in Christ that our lives continuously witness to the glories of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of a Spirit filled life. If you are willing, share the people you will be praying for and pray together for salvations to come to those we know and love.
Example daily prayer based on Colossians:
Father, hallowed be you name! I thank You with all my heart for the inheritance You have given me in Christ. You have rescued me from the domain of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of Your beloved Son—in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. What a glorious gift!
Please will you open doors for the good news of Jesus to be shared through me. Allow me to be a witness to your goodness, and a eye witness to the power of your Spirit to bring others from darkness and into the light of your kingdom. Father I pray specifically for XXXX, XXXX and XXXX. That you may overwhelm them with the beauty and wonder of the Gospel, so that they too may receive redemption, the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Lord I love these people. I know you love these people. Jesus died for these people. For the sake of your Son Jesus have mercy on them and forgive them, as you have forgiven me. Increase the inheritance of Christ with these 3 people whom you love!
And Father fill me with your spirit that I may know the depths of the love of Christ and be transformed, so that I my speech may be gracious, seasoned with salt. And that I may speak clearly and know how to answer each person as though speaking your very words. As I go out open my eyes to the work you are doing, so that I do not miss out on the joys of partnering with you in bringing the glories of Jesus to the ends of the earth.