Prayer Notes Them About the Kingdom of God, and Promised Them the Empowerment of God’S Spirit
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Reading Luke–Acts Here is a 6 day schedule for reading the books of Luke and Acts. Luke 1:1–9:50 Jesus teaches and heals people in Galilee Luke 9:51–19:44 Jesus journeys to Jerusalem Luke 19:45–24:53 Jesus is rejected in Jerusalem Acts 1:1–8:3 The disciples witness in Jerusalem Necessary Measures Acts 8:4–19:20 The disciples witness in Judea and Samaria Acts 1:1–11 Acts 19:21–28:31 The disciples witness to the ends of the earth Last Week: To prepare for the great adventure of reading Acts, we looked at Luke, the man who wrote Acts, and Theophilus, the Additional Resources: man to whom it was written. We also explored the key theme of Check out the short instructional videos from The Bible Project: witness. thebibleproject.com/explore/acts/ thebibleproject.com/explore/gospel-series/ This Week: Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples after rising from the dead. He offered proof of his resurrection, instructed Prayer Notes them about the Kingdom of God, and promised them the empowerment of God’s Spirit. He then ascended into the sky, and two robed men said that he would come back in the same way, filling the disciples with hope. Open 1. If you were going to be gone for several months, and you had someone to take care of your house and yard while you were away, what type of instructions would you give them? Read Acts 1:1–11 Proof: The Resurrection 3 Read the following: John 20:19–29 John 21:1–14 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 2. What details in these passages help you understand the reality of the bodily resurrection of Jesus? 3. How important is the resurrection to Christianity? Why? 4. How would you try to convince an unbeliever of the reality of 4 the resurrection of Jesus? 1 Instruction: The Kingdom of God Hope: Jesus’ Ascension and Promised Return 1. Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples between his 1. How does the ascension of Jesus encourage believers? resurrection and ascension. What do you think he taught them during this time? (1–3) 2. How does Jesus’ promised return encourage believers? __________________________________ 2. What did the disciples think was going to happen, now that Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14–18 Jesus had risen from the dead? (6) 3. How can you encourage others about the promised return of Jesus? 3. How did Jesus correct their thinking? (7–8) _______________________ Reflect Read Mark 10:35–45 As a disciple of Jesus, how do the following impact you? 4. What did the disciples think the kingdom of God would be like? Jesus’ resurrection appearances Jesus’ instruction about the Kingdom of God 5. How did Jesus correct their thinking? Jesus’ ascension Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit Empowerment: The Holy Spirit 4 The promise of Jesus’ return 1. The Gospel of John reports Jesus’ conversation with his disciples during his last meal before the crucifixion. Read the Take-Away following and note what Jesus taught about the Holy Spirit: What is your take away from our time together? John 14:15–17, 26 Next Steps: John 15:26–27 For which of the following are you thankful? John16:7–10, 12–15 Check all that apply. That Jesus convincingly demonstrated his resurrection from 2. Jesus told the apostles about his gift of the Holy Spirit before the dead to the apostles (and us). telling them they would be his witnesses. What is the significance That Jesus provided the necessary instructions to his apostles of that? (and us) about how to faithfully follow him. That Jesus promised he would not abandon his apostles (or 3. What did it cost the apostles to follow Jesus and be his us), but would leave behind the Holy Spirit as a comforter witnesses? (John 14:16–17). That we can live in hopefulness and anticipation of Christ’s 4. What does it cost today to follow Jesus and be his witnesses? return. 5. How does the Holy Spirit empower us to be witnesses? Memory Verse – Acts 1:11 6. Where do you feel you are called to be a witness for Christ? “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 7. What encourages you to be a witness for Christ? as you saw him go into heaven.” 8. What discourages you to be a witness for Christ? 2 Next Week: Acts 1:12–26 – Ready, Set, Wait 3 .