Light on the Lessons

Light on the Lessons Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23 The Day of Pentecost; Cycle A; June 4, 2017 Participant Guide I Getting Started

1. “Congregations and church bodies do a lot of planning and projecting in a very rational manner. What we need, though, is less reason and more Spirit!” How do you react to that statement?

2. What are some unexpected surprises you have experienced in your life with God?

3. “Forgiveness of sins is the core of the Gospel.” What do you think of that statement?

II Check the Texts

1. Acts 2:1-21

The Feast of Weeks was the second of the great pilgrimage festivals. Originally a harvest festival, it gained the Greek title Pentecost (meaning 50th day) because it came 50 days after Passover. In Luke’s day, Pentecost was viewed as a celebration of giving the Law on Sinai.

A. Read Leviticus 23:15-22, describing the harvest festival. What verses describe the ritual of thanksgiving? How did seven weeks become 50 days? What verse describes a social justice concern at harvest time?

B. How does this passage fulfill the promise spoken by John the Baptist (Luke 3:16).

C. Read Exodus 19:16-25, the giving of the Law (Torah). With what verses in Acts does it compare? Why do you think this resemblance was important for Luke to mention?

D. Read Genesis 11:1-9. What similarities and differences do you see between the Tower of Babel and Pentecost?

E. What the apostles spoke has been subject to dispute. The word “tongue” can refer to language or ecstatic speech, as in Corinth. Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-19. What in the Luke narrative suggests ecstatic speech? What suggests real languages?

F. Why do you think Luke lists all the nations in verses 9-11? (Clue: Compare Acts 1:8.) How does the quotation from Joel support this purpose?

2. 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

A. In this reading, what is the test that one has received the Holy Spirit?

B. Paul lists a variety of gifts in verses 4-10. He describes these in “biblical” language, so we may not perceive that the gifts apply today as well. Find modern names for the skills and abilities in the gift list. (E.g., “utterance of wisdom…knowledge” could include teaching, giving sage advice and counsel, mentoring, and more.)

C. In your own words, express the message that Paul is trying here to get across to the Corinthians.

D. What attitude does verse 11 imply that we should hold toward the gifts of other persons?

E. If we took verse 13 with absolute seriousness, what difference might it make in how we think of each other?

3. John 20:19-23 A. On what day did this incident take place? Why would the disciples be afraid?

B. What do you think is the significance of Jesus twice repeating “Peace be with you”?

C. Compare verse 22 with Genesis 2:7. What does the imagery of Genesis add to our understanding of verse 22?

D. Verse 23 is probably meant to be addressed to the whole community, including us. How does that make you feel? What petition in the Lord’s Prayer speaks to this issue?

E. What title would you give to verses 19-21 to describe the purpose of what Jesus does? What title would you give to verses 22-23?

III What Does It All Mean?

1. How have you experienced God’s activity in your life this week?

2. Many today take a very individualistic view of the faith. They perceive it as their personal property, for their own benefit. They can pick and choose among faith claims as they wish. What in these lessons contradicts that view? We are aware these days of a conflict between the nationalist (go it alone) and internationalist (work with others) approaches to world problems, such as terrorism, Afghanistan, Syria, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict – and terrorism. What support for one choice or the other do you find in these lessons?

3. Both Luke and John point out that the Spirit has come to empower the Church for mission. The Spirit sends us forth. We usually think of mission as something the whole Christian community does. Think of it in more personal terms. How would you describe your mission as a Christian?

4. What are some differences between thinking of our skills as abilities and thinking of them as God’s gifts?

5. What are your spiritual gifts? How can you use them best?

6. “The Holy Spirit makes real to believers the things of Christ.” What do you think about that statement? How do you understand the role of the Holy Spirit in your life?

7. The Spirit is an agent for growth in our spiritual lives. In a sense, the Spirit “updates” the Gospel to address our needs in this time. How have you experienced growth in the Spirit?

8. What customs and traditions does your congregation associate with Pentecost? What significance do they have?

IV Into the Week

1. You go home and someone asks, “What did you learn today?” What do you reply?

2. Choose someone this week to invite to worship with you.

3. If you know someone who feels the burden of guilt, offer them the assurance of forgiveness with repentance.

4. Spend some time working on forgiving yourself, as God has forgiven you.