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 ~~Simon the Sorcerer Acts 8

OVERVIEW:  In this post-modern era in which we live, we find ourselves in a culture  fascinated with a resurgence in the supernatural and paranormal.  Unfortunately, most who are inquisitive are not searching the scriptures for insight and truth, but are rather seeking answers from psychics, astrology and other New Age or occultist methods.  We find this fascination in the paranormal also present in Samaria during the time of the early church.  In the message last week we looked at a sorcerer named Simon.  In your groups, let’s look at this passage again in Acts 8 and discuss what it may mean to us today.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

ONE:  Read Acts 8:9-11.    The people in Acts 8 attributed divine power to the man Simon, and they followed him. 

• Talk about the deception with which the people were led astray.
• Can you think of ways in which people are led astray today by “teachers” claiming to have metaphysical insights and powers? 

TWO:  Read Acts 8:12-13.  Notice that Simon “believed and was baptized.” 

• What does this say about the grace of God? 
• Why was Simon following Phillip?  Was it his hunger for Christ or something else? 
• What does this say to us about what we should be seeking as we follow Christ? 

THREE:  Read Acts 8:14-19. 

• What do you think Simon’s primary reason was for desiring to possess the ability that Peter and John had?

FOUR: Read Acts 8:20-24.  Simon was eager to participate in the ministry he saw Peter and John doing. 
• What reason did Peter give to Simon that disqualified him for ministry?

• What course of action did Peter give Simon to follow for correction?
• What did Peter observe as Simon’s root problem?
• From this scenario in Acts 8, what lessons can we learn regarding our own qualifications for ministry?

 FIVE: Read Matthew 24:23-25.  How is this warning of Jesus relevant to our discussion today?

SIX: Read 1 John 4:1-3.  John is instructing believers to test every spirit.  How does he tell us to test them?

SEVEN:  Read Acts 17-10-11.  How did the Bereans test the spirits?

TAKING ACTION:  In your time of prayer this week, examine your own life (the things you read, watch and discuss, and the people you encounter), and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas you might be vulnerable to dark spiritual influences.  Pray for God to give you extra wisdom and discernment, and to guard you as you walk through this world full of spiritual deception.

MINISTRY TIME

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~~JUST ONE SHOT TO GET IT RIGHT 

OVERVIEW:  Last week, for the first time in the series “Heroes and Villains,” we looked at a “non” hero.  In fact, we looked at a pair of them in Ananias and his wife Sapphira.  Peter said of them that they had “let Satan fill their hearts” as they lied to the Apostles, and to the Holy Spirit, about the offering the were bringing.  This is a shocking story, and one in which we are left with as many unanswered questions as ones we have answers for.  There are, however, some powerful lessons that we can take away from the story.

Please read the story again in Acts 5:1-11, and then discuss some of the lessons together that Pastor Terry brought up in his message over the weekend.

LESSON ONE:  Live for the applause of One
One explanation for why Ananias and Sapphira might have done what they did is the trap that we have all fallen into in our lives at one time or another… to seek the recognition and applause of men.

• What are some of the pitfalls of seeking the approval of people? 
• Does the approval of people endure, or are humans prone to turn on each other as soon someone disappoints?
• Read Matthew 6:5-6 and 16-18.  Talk about how God desires us to live out our spirituality.

LESSON TWO:  How you handle money is a heart issue

• Read Matthew 6:19-21.  Talk about the contrast between our earthly treasures and our heavenly ones.  Talk about how and why this test is a gauge to the condition of our heart.
• Read Matthew 19:23-26.  What is the challenge our possessions and money create for us?  What is the antidote to the challenge?

LESSON THREE:  Don’t equate your spirituality with your generosity.

• Read 1 Corinthians 13:3-7.  Does generosity by itself amount to anything eternal? 
• What is it that sanctifies a generous gift?

LESSON FOUR:  Give in secret and God will reward you in public.

• Read Matthew 6:1-3 Talk about scenarios where you have been blessed by someone anonymously.  When you don’t have a person to thank, who does that leave as the only possible recipient of our gratitude? 

LESSON FIVE:  Contentment is developed through generous living and giving

• Read Acts 20: 32-35  As you read this verse, talk about difference between the value system of the kingdom of God verses the kingdom of the world.

TAKE AWAY  In your times of prayer this week, take time to evaluate the generousness of your heart, and you attitude about generosity. Not only with money, but with your life. Bring it before the Lord and ask Him to reveal His heart to you.

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~~BOLDNESS

OVERVIEW:  Remember the beatitude where Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”?  It’s easy to get the wrong impression of “meek.”  For us to get a perspective on how boldness accompanies meekness,  think of the children of Israel, how they were humbled in the wilderness on the way to inherit the promised land?  Remember how this meek people finally “inherited” the land.  They inherited the promise by boldly stepping forward and taking possession of the land that God had given to them.  It was their meekness that positioned them to receive an inheritance.  It was their boldness that led them to finally step out and take what was being offered to the meek. 

As we look at the early church in the book of Acts, discuss the following points in your groups about what boldness looks like in our walk of faith.

DISSCUSSION POINTS:

ONE:  Boldness enables you to WALK IN what He has already WORKED OUT:
Read Acts 17:24-28. 

Read verse 26 again.  How does knowing that God has already worked out the times and places we will live give us courage to live lives of boldness, pursuing Him into our future?

Read (Eph 2:10) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
What does boldness have to do with us walking in the good things that God has prepared for us before hand?

TWO:  Boldness enables you to FACE what you can not FIX:
Read Acts 5:40-42 

This account in Chapter 5 was the third time the disciples had been arrested.  Notice in verse 41 why they were rejoicing.  Talk about what this statement says about the foundation of their boldness, as they refused to allow the their circumstances to stop them from shining their light for Christ.

THREE: Boldness enables you to OPERATE in the midst of OPPOSITION:

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus”  —Acts 4:13 

Talk about how the boldness of Peter and John caused people to recognize they had been with Jesus.  How can our boldness cause people recognize that we have been with Jesus?

Read Numbers 13:25-31
 Contrast Caleb and Joshua’s response with the response of the other spies.  Talk about how it often seems that God takes us to a place where our boldness of faith is tested before he grants us what he is leading us into.

TAKING ACTION:  In prayer this week, evaluate what you believe God has been speaking to you about what he desires to do in your life… then ask yourself, am I boldly pursuing it?  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the courageous steps you need to take in order to take possession of your promised land.
MINISTRY TIME

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~~ TRUE BELIEVERS

  Listen my children and you shall hear’ Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five; Hardly a man is now alive,
Who remembers that famous day and year…
…You know the rest. In the books you have read, How the British Regulars fired and fled,—
How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall,
Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load…
Excerpts from “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”  —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1860

OVERVIEW:  This week we celebrate the American Revolution that resulted in our nations Independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776.  Many ordinary people found the hero within themselves to stand against the oppressiveness of the Brits.  For example, Paul Revere, who 15 months earlier had made his famous midnight ride to warn the revolutionaries of a strategic impending attack. In the war for independence, common people rose heroically and courageously to resist an overpowering enemy. 

In his message last weekend, Pastor Terry spoke of the greatest revolution in human history.  Jesus started it by laying down his life for others as he ushered in the era promised and prophesied in the Old Testament.  From there, He entrusted the future of His Church to the ordinary people he had chosen to follow him during his ministry.  He had prepared them “for such a time as this.”  These were not extraordinary men, they were common people, like you and me.  Ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit and with an extraordinary faith to “take up their cross and follow” Jesus and to be his disciples.  As was stated in the message this weekend, Jesus was establishing his Kingdom on earth by appointing a “replacement government.”  It was the government of the Kingdom of God, (the Kingdom of Love) and it was led by his chosen disciples and apostles.

“Following Jesus was their emancipation. The Beatitudes were their constitution. Their obedience was their declaration of dependence.” –Pastor Terry

For our discussion this week, let’s look at the life of Stephen in Acts 6-7 and ask ourselves how we can find the hero within and become “revolutionaries” for Christ like the ordinary people of the early church. 

DISCUSSION POINTS:
ONE:  Read Acts 6:1-6.  Notice 1.) how Stephen was equipped: “with faith and the Holy Spirit”  and 2.) his attitude… he was willing to “wait on tables (verse 2).  What does this tell us about the attributes of a revolutionary in God’s Kingdom?

TWO:  Read Acts 6:8-10.  Notice that Stephen was full of grace, power and wisdom, and he spoke with boldness.  Is it possible for each of us to be equipped with the same?  If so, how do we get it?  (think of Pastor Terry’s message about being with Jesus.  He said, “Being with Jesus means allowing Jesus to be with you. If you make room for Him He will go with you wherever life takes you”).  Stephen is not known to have met Jesus personally, but he was known to have been “full of the Holy Spirit.”  How does Stephen’s example encourage disciples today?  How does his life challenge us in our faith?

THREE:  Read Acts 7:54-60.  How does Stephen’s response to his terrifying circumstances demonstrate his intense faith in God?  How does his response remind us of Jesus’ in his time of suffering?  What does it speak to us about counting the cost and being willing to pay the price?

TAKE AWAY:  In your devotional time this week, prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can become a revolutionary for His cause in the earth.  Then, read Chapters 5-7 in the book of Matthew to seek your answers.

MINISTRY TIME

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 ~~Villain Transformation

OVERVIEW:  We are in the second week of our summer series Heroes and Villains.  As we look at this fascinating account of the how the early Church was formed, we will be looking at some of the personalities that played a role in the establishment of God’s Kingdom through his Church.  Last week, we discussed the topic of “heroes.”  This week, let’s look at the Hero counterpart: the Villains.  As we look at these accounts, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us to apply what we learn to the lives we live here in our generation.

DISCUSSION POINT ONE “Religious People”:  Read Acts 5: 17-42 out loud in your group, then discuss the following points:

• What was it that made the religious villains so aggressive?  See Verse 17.  Talk about how jealousy can even blind people in ministry today as they serve in the local church.
• Read verse 29-32.  Now, keeping in mind that these religious leaders had just recently called for Jesus to be killed, notice their response (verse 33), to Peter’s proclamation.  They were furious.  Talk about the dynamic of how religious people can be so focused on defending their “doctrine” that they become “furious” when their position is challenged, and miss the presence of God in their midst.
• Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, was technically on the villain’s side, but he was used by God to save the apostle’s lives.  Talk about how God can use the influence of non-believers to change circumstances for his servants.  How does that give us hope on our jobs, in our courtrooms, and in our government?

DISCUSSION POINT TWO “Saul the Villain to Paul the Hero” :

• Read Acts 7:59 through 8:1-3.  As we can see in these passages, Saul (soon to be Apostle Paul) started out as one of the most heinous of all Villains against the Church.  Why do you think God chose a person like Saul to become a key builder of the early church and one of the primary writers of the New Testament?
• Read 1 Corinthians 15: 9-10.  How do you think the extraordinary grace Paul was shown by God prepared him to become a hero as God’s messenger of the grace based gospel we know as truth today?
• Read Titus 3:1-8.  This passage reveals the Apostle Paul as a hero, mentoring his young apprentice Titus.  Talk about what his words to Titus reveal about his transformation from Villain to Hero.  Talk about how God’s transforming work in your life.

TAKING ACTION:  This week continue reading through the book of Acts.  As you read, look for heroes and notice the villains.  Ask the Lord to speak to encourage you through the lives of the early Christians, and give you wisdom as you encounter those who resisted the truth of Christ.

MINISTRY TIME

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 ~~WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEROES GONE

 OVERVIEW:  We are just beginning a new summer series called “Heroes and Villains” in which we will be studying different personalities found in the book of Acts.  These were extraordinary times, and critical times in the life of the Church.  Jesus had recently risen from the dead and ascended into heaven.  The fledgling baby Church was trying to get started in the midst of an extremely hostile political and religious environment.  They were the kind of times that tested the resolve and character of the early Christians.  They were the kind of times that needed heroes at every level.  As we look at this series throughout the summer months, it would be good for us to realize that the Church today is existing in extraordinary times as well, where the values and message of the Bible, and the validity and reputation of the Church (Jesus’ representation upon the earth), are under fierce political, spiritual and sociological opposition.  Let’s pull up our boot straps and get ready to dive into the this study in the book of Acts throughout our summer together.

DISCUSSION POINT ONE:  Let’s Talk About Role Models (Heroes)

Charles Barkley has been quoted for a lot of things, a few of his most oft quoted comments are about role models, where he said: 

“I’m not a role model… Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” And, “I don’t believe professional athletes should be role models. I believe parents should be role models….”

Is Sir Charles right? Or is he missing something?  He may be speaking accurately from a worldly point a view, but how does his comments line up with a Biblical worldview? 

Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 and Hebrews 10:23-25 (especially verse 24)

In light of these passages discuss the following points in your group:

• Talk about our responsibility to be role models, or heroes, to the people God places in our lives and along our paths. 
  Do you believe you can be a hero?  Talk about how everyday people can be God’s heroes.
• Have you ever gone out of your way to be used by God to make a difference in someone’s life?  Share your story with your group.
• Have you ever felt like you encountered a “divine appointment” for a purpose you did not anticipate?  Share your experience with your group.
• The Apostle Paul instructed his young protégé Timothy to “be ready in season and out of season.” How does that kind of alertness and awareness prepare us to be heroes?  (Think of an off duty police officer who carries into his “off” hours his passion to serve and protect or think of the nurse serving as a hero in a hospice facility).
• Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  What does this tell us about God’s view of heroes versus the world’s view of an impressive person?

DISCUSSION POINT TWO:  Last week Pastor Terry pointed out three characteristics of a hero.  Read each one below and talk about how we can encourage ourselves and each other to new levels of “uncommon courage.”

1) A hero is someone with an uncommon courage to do the correct thing.
2) A hero is someone with an uncommon courage to do the courageous thing.
3) A hero is someone with an uncommon courage to do the compassionate thing.

TAKING ACTION:  As a church family, we are being encouraged by our leaders to read through the book of Acts on our own through the summer.  This week, in your devotion time, make a point to prayerfully read through at least 3-4 chapters of the book of Acts.  Ask the Holy Spirit to move you past the historical message of the early Church’s beginnings, and into the real lives of the characters themselves. 

MINISTRY TIME

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 OPEN IN WORSHIP:  (Song, prayer, scripture reading or thanksgiving)

OVERVIEW: Last week’s message addressed the reality of the spiritual battle we all must contend with as we journey through life upon this earth. We looked at the powers the Bible describes as our adversary, and we also looked at how God has given us His Spirit to equip us for victory in the conflict. In our discussion tonight, we’ll look briefly at who our enemy is, so that we are not unaware of his schemes. Then we will focus on the spiritual arsenal God has given us to defeat the powers of darkness, both in our life and in our world.

FIRST: Know your enemy.
Many people living in Western culture no longer believe in the “devil.” The metaphor for having that perspective could be of a boxer getting into the ring with a blindfold on. Not believing or seeing that our enemy exists gives him great advantage over us. While we are not to dwell on or focus upon the powers of darkness, we must acknowledge they exist, and know how to combat them.
Read Ephesians 2:1-2 and 6:10-18

• What is the Apostle Paul saying to us about our spiritual opposition?
• How does Eph. 6 describe the organizational hierarchy of rank within the kingdom of darkness?
• How does the reality that evil is ancient, organized and invisible give the powers of darkness advantage over the unsuspecting human?

SECOND: Jesus as our combat instructor.
Notice that the armor Paul is describing is both defensive and offensive. The offensive weapons are identified as the “sword” being the Word of God, and also prayer.

Read Matthew 4:1-11

• What can we learn from Jesus battle plan against the devil? 
• How does it coincide with the offensive strategy Paul describes in Ephesians 6?

THIRD: Know who’s you are, and who you are.
Jesus said we must be born again in the Spirit to see the kingdom of God. Read how John puts it in 1 John 3:1-3.
Talk about how once we are conceived as natural children we cannot undo the DNA given us by our parents and how that relates to who we have become as God’s children.

• 1 John 4:4 states that “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” How does that give us confidence in midst of our struggle with evil?
• Read James 4:7-8. What does this passage tell us about our assurance in winning our spiritual battles?

FOURTH: Know the power God has given you.
Jesus was a good Christian for 30 years, but he did not begin his ministry with supernatural power until the Holy Spirit had come upon him when he was baptized.

• Read what Jesus tells his disciples in Acts 1:8 about what they will receive, and what they will do after they receive it.
• Read Acts 8:14-17. Notice that the Apostles recognized that there was something the believers in Samaria were missing in their new faith in Christ. Although they were believers (had accepted the Word and been baptized into the name of Jesus), they were missing something else. What was it, and why did they need it?
• Considering what the scriptures say, regarding the Holy Spirit coming upon believers with power, why do we need the Holy Spirit to come on us with power as we engage the spiritual resistance we face in this fallen world?

TAKING ACTION: Throughout the Summer we will be studying the book of Acts as a Church in the weekend messages. Read through the book of Acts this week and notice how the early Church embraced and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit.
MINISTRY TIME

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~~BECOMING NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL~~

OVERVIEW: In Jesus day, and throughout church history, people have been putting on religious airs to try and convince themselves and others that they are living according the scriptures, but what does a truly supernatural Christian look like?  In introducing his theme, Pastor Terry quoted Oswald Chambers who described a genuine Christian as someone who is ““naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural.”  He pointed to Jesus as our  example.  Jesus did not put on religious “airs,” but rather he lived out his life naturally, loving all those who crossed his path, regardless of their socio-economic status or their religious credentials.  He demonstrated an acceptance for the outcasts and the marginalized of his day, loving them with the supernatural love of the Father.  While sometimes that love expressed itself in the form of miracles, it always expressed itself in the supernatural expression of unconditional love.  

In order for us to fulfill our mission as individuals and our mission as a church family, “To Love People to Life,” we each we need the supernatural power of God actively expressing itself through our lives.  With these thoughts in mind, let’s discuss three ideas of what it means to live naturally supernatural.

FIRST: We must resist the pressure to be someone other than who we are.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27  Notice that this passage is stated in the context of Paul’s instruction about the spiritual gifts.  After reading the passage, discuss the following in your group:

1. What does this passage tell us about the importance of living our lives authentically, recognizing and accepting who we are in the body of Christ… and who we are not.
2. How does this metaphor of a body speak to the importance of serving Christ out of who God made us to be?  Consider a human body with a leg that insisted on functioning as an arm, or an ear that wanted to so bad to “see” that it failed to serve the body by “hearing.”
3. Read verse 25&26 again.  Talk about the ramifications of these versus in light of what you understand about the kingdom of God.

SECOND: We must restore value to people.
 Read the excerpt below from Pastor Terry’s message and then discuss what is the overarching point of why God has given spiritual gifts to his followers (hint: the Great Commandment and Great Commission).
If you want to create an atmosphere for miracles…make helping people the thing that matters most. Jesus didn’t give His life for spiritual gifts. He didn’t die for correct doctrine. He didn’t sacrifice it all for church programs. He died for people. Now, all of those things are important to God, BUT people matter the most. When you make people the most important thing…God will provide everything that you need to help them right down to signs, wonders and miracles!  —Pastor Terry

THREE: We must embrace a natural way of using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Read the excerpt below from Pastor Terry’s message:
We have come to equate the spectacular with the supernatural. But not everything supernatural is spectacular! We are far more supernatural than we realize and yet NOT many of us are spectacular. And when we equate the supernatural with the spectacular we devalue the genuine work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23.   What do these words say to us about how and why we should embrace a natural expression in using the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

FINAL Discussion Point:  In your group, talk about how the series on the Holy Spirit has spoken to you.  What affect will this teaching have on the way you continue to follow Jesus?

TAKING ACTION:  In your devotional time this week, ask the Holy Spirit to help you process how God has revealed Himself to you in a fresh way over the past four weeks.  Write down your thoughts in your Bible or in your journal.

MINISTRY TIME

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 The Holy Spirit and the Weird

OVERVIEW:  In this series “De-spooking the Holy Spirit”, Pastor Terry has been encouraging us to embrace all the gifts the Bible reveals the Father has given to His children, while keeping our understanding of the person and power of the Holy Spirit aligned with the mission of Jesus Christ.  Doctrinal beliefs in Christianity have ranged from outright rejection of the spiritual gifts that are taught in scripture to the other extreme of making spiritual gifts the focus instead of God Himself.  We have been exploring what the Bible teaches about the spiritual gifts, with the view that the Bible is true and trustworthy.  As you discuss the points below, begin your discussion by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your conversation and reveal himself to you.

DISCUSSION POINTS:
Believing, Embracing and Pursuing what we don’t fully understand

As you read through the Bible you quickly discover that God delights in offending the mind in order to reveal the heart.    –Pastor Terry

 The gifts of the Spirit, as taught throughout the New Testament, are most often rejected for one fundamental reason: because people do not understand them at the head level, and people often don’t feel comfortable exploring or experiencing what they don’t understand.  This, however, is not an accident in God’s plan.  God has designed his Kingdom such that we must “walk by faith and not by sight.”  In other words, God has intentionally built into his creation the necessity for us to believe Him and follow Him, even if we don’t fully understand the details of what He is leading us into and through. That is called faith, and the scriptures say that, “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” 

 Read Isaiah 55:6-9 and talk about what the prophet Isaiah is revealing about God and how this passage helps us to accept and pursue the things that do not make sense to us in the natural.

The Guardian of the Supernatural

 Anyone with much experience being around the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement has undoubtedly experienced people who have become so enamored and fascinated by the “gifts, signs and wonders” that they have made their Christian faith about the gifts rather than about the One who gives them.  The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit are simply to help us fulfill the great commandment, to love God and to love others.  

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul discusses the gifts of the Spirit extensively in Chapters 12 and 14.  Interestingly he nestles one of the most powerful excerpts in all of the Bible right in between his encouragement about the gifts.  It has become known as the “Love Chapter” and is one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. 

Read 1 Corinthians 13 aloud in your group, in its entirety.  Then talk about what Paul is saying that should “govern” the exercising of the gifts.  Notice the two statements made in the last verse of chapter 12 (see below) and talk about what Paul is saying in each statement of verse 31, and how they compliment each other.  How does chapter 13 serve as the “Guardian of the Supernatural?”

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.  

Why Do We Eagerly Desire the Spiritual Gifts?   Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.  Now read the excerpts below, from what you just read, and discuss what you believe the overarching purpose of for the gifts are and what they are designed to produce.

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy…  everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort… so that the church may be edified.

Taking Action:  Read 1 Corinthians 12—14 prayerfully.  Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a fresh way.

MINISTRY TIME

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~~Moving Beyond the Scandal of Pentacost

 Overview:  In part one of this series we discussed the “personhood” of the Holy Spirit.  Last week Pastor Terry’s message was dealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and whether or not they are meant for believers today or if they were, as the cessationists believe, only for a period of time and are no longer applicable for Christians living after the days of the early church.  City of Grace follows a theology that takes the Bible at its “Word” regarding the person and the power of the Holy Spirit.  In our discussions this week, let’s look at a few of the reasons why it is clear and imperative that we receive this essential equipping of the Holy Spirit’s power that God provides for his children.

Read the Read Acts 1:4-8 and then discuss the thoughts below in your groups:

1.    Notice that Jesus is talking to believers when he says you will receive power when the Spirit comes “upon” you.  Talk about the difference between how the Spirit indwells believers versus this passage that describes a “coming upon” of the Spirit for power.   
2.    Talk about how it is this “power” that enables believers to be, as Jesus describes, “my witnesses.”
3.    Read the final words of Matthew, 28:16-20.  How is having the power to witness tied to Great Commission Jesus gave his disciples.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and discuss the thoughts below in your groups:

 1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

1.   This chapter immediately follows the powerful “love” chapter of 1 Cor. 13.  Notice in verse one how the Apostle Paul begins his dialog on the gifts by saying “follow the way of love.”  Have you ever seen the topic of “spiritual gifts” be promoted by Christians in a way that was not “following the way of love?”  How do you think that has hindered some believers from pursuing the gifts in their own lives?
2.   Notice that we are encouraged to “eagerly” desire the spiritual gifts, and especially the gift of prophecy.  What does verse three tell us about the gift of prophecy that makes it such a valuable gift for the strengthening of the Church?
3.   How does the description of prophecy in verse 3 differ from the examples of prophecy found in the Old Testament?  Do you think people’s idea of Old Testament prophecy can confuse them from understanding the New Testament expression of prophecy as described in verse three?  If so, why?

Taking Action:  After praying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth, read 1 Corinthians chapter 12, 13 and 14 and then ask the Father to give you the gifts of the Spirit that will help you be His witness and bring him glory.

MINISTRY TIME