SERIES: LIVE SENT (ACTS)
LIVE SENT
ACTS 1

THEME OF ACTS:

• God __________ and_________ His church through His spirit, working in and through His people.

THE ESSENCE OF THE GOSPEL:

• The gospel is about what Jesus has ________________, not about what you _______________, or ______________ in your own strength. 

TWO QUESTIONS:

1.       The gospel captured the _____________ and ____________ of the early church. Has it captured yours? 

2.       The gospel _______________ the early church to act. Has it propelled you?

WHY WAS ACTS WRITTEN?

• To bring saving faith to unbelievers (Theophilus), and to __________________ of the believers (the church) in the face of intense difficulty

TAKING IT HOME:

• If God has done a good work _______ you, he will do a good work ___________ you. 

Life Group Guide QUESTIONS

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

1.        What was your favourite moment over the Christmas and New Years season?

2.        Are you the type of person to make New Years Resolutions? Why or why not?

QUICK REVIEW

1.        Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

2.        This weekend, Pastor Justin noted why it was so difficult for the disciples and Mary Magdalene to let Jesus go to ascend. They didn't understand that His ascension was necessary so that He might send His Holy Spirit so that we would NEVER be separated from Him. How does this reality comfort/inspire/challenge you?

TRIADS

Acts 1:1-11

1.  What does this passage say about the character of God?

2.  What does this passage say about fallen humanity and the world we are in?

3.  Where does this passage specifically expose sin or unbelief in my own life? How does it specifically call me to change my thinking, redirect my affections, replace behaviors, and trust in my Saviour?

DIGGING DEEPER

1.        What are some of the stories in the book of Acts that you can recall? Why are they memorable?  What are the questions you’re asking of this book ahead of studying it?

2.        READ Luke 1:1-3 & Acts 1:1.  Luke begins his second book to help Theophilus understand God’s plan unfold on earth.  What can you see as the different points of emphasis between the Gospel of Luke, and the book of Acts?

a.        Who do you think Theophilus is? Why do you think this recipient is named and preserved for us?

3.        READ Acts 1:4-5.  Before His ascension Jesus tells the disciples about the coming Baptism in the Holy Spirit, without explanation.  How do you think the disciples might have understood this announcement?

a.        While this announcement from Jesus in Acts 1:5 was not explained, it is not new information.  What do we know from these texts about Jesus’ announcement regarding the Holy Spirit …

Matthew 3:11

John 16:7-9, 13

John 20:19-22  

TAKING IT HOME

READ Matthew 28:18-20 & Acts 1:8.  Matthew and Luke capture different portions of the Great Commission.  How do you respond to the idea that it’s largely because of this proclamation that we in North America, in the 21^st century, have been able to meet Jesus? Consider also the great lengths that many individuals and groups undertook to grow God’s church through the many years.  How did all that work ultimately impact your life?

PERSONAL REFLECTION

READ Isaiah 43:8-13.  The nation of Israel is being assured that while they feel distant from God, that He is near and is protecting them.  Also, Israel is also challenged to represent Him to those who have yet not seen Him.  God tells His nation in v.10, “you are my witnesses.”  Matthew picks up on this same theme in Matthew 5:13-14, where we’re told, “you are the salt of the earth” and “you are the light of the world.”  How have you experienced being God’s representatives in this broken and lost world?