#1: You Will Be My Witnesses
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Acts 1:1-9 ESV
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 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.
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TAKE IT IN
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Luke provides a historical account of all that Jesus began to do and teach in his first book ‘The Gospel of Luke’. (Acts 1:1) Then what might be the purpose of this second volume: ‘The Book of Acts’?
Find a map of Palestine in 30 AD containing Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria online and think about the fulfillment of Jesus' words in Acts 1:8.
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DIG IT
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What is the purpose of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and receiving his power?
The disciples were told that they will be the witnesses. What do you think they were supposed to witness?
[Go Deep] What happened to Jesus as he said these things? Why was this necessary? (ref. John 16:7)
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LIVE IT
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What do you think of when you think of the Holy Spirit?
Are you living as a witness of Jesus Christ? How will your Christian club witness Jesus on your school campus?
#2: Coming of the Holy Spirit
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Acts 2:1-11 ESV
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.”
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Read Matthew 3:11 and see how John the Baptist’s words about Jesus came true.
Learn why Jews from every nation were in Jerusalem on the Pentecost.
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DIG IT
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How is the coming of the Holy Spirit described? Can you think of other places in the bible where similar descriptions are used?
What happened when people were filled with the Holy Spirit? How does this connect with Acts 1:8?
[Go Deep] Is there a moment in Jesus’ life from the Gospels that you are reminded of from the coming of the Holy Spirit? (Hint: Acts 1:5)
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Do you ever feel empowered by God for the Gospel? Share in detail if you have experienced the Holy Spirit leading you to share the Gospel for his Kingdom before.
[Prayer] Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you in your daily life for his Kingdom’s sake.
#3: The First Church
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Acts 2:41-47 ESV
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 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.
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What do you look for in a Christian community? Do you ever feel like there is a discrepancy between what you want and what God wants in a community?
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Glance over Acts 2:14-40 to grasp the background. Whose word was it that they received? What was the main point of the word?
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What were the four important aspects of faith that the first believers were devoted to? (v.42)
How did this first Christian community fulfill its purpose? (v.46-47)
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LIVE IT
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Go over the Four Essentials of a Christian club meeting. How do you think the club is doing with each of them?
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How can we foster the Four Essentials better in each meeting? Is there anything you can do to better the club as a member of this community? Share ideas on how the club could be strengthened as a community.
#4: Stephen the Martyr
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Acts 7:51-60 ESV
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
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Who was Stephen? What does the Bible say about his character? (Acts 6:3-5)
What does Stephen mean when he says “You stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears”?
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What made Stephen’s adversaries infuriated enough to stone him?
[Go Deep] Does Stephen’s last word remind you of anything Jesus said? Check Luke 23:34. What does it reveal about Stephen's character?
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What does persecution in the Western world look like today? Share any experience of persecution you may have experienced.
How should we face such persecution or hate speech? What should we be mindful of?
#5: Scattered Believers
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Acts 8:1-8 ESV
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
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What do you know about the historical significance of Samaria? Ask your leader for a detailed explanation.
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How did God use the brutal persecution against the Church for the Gospel movement? How were Jesus' words in Acts 1:8 fulfilled in Samaria?
What was the significance of witnessing Jesus to Samaritans for early Jewish Christians?
[Go Deep] How does Philip’s witnessing of the Gospel in Samaria show that believers are now continuing the ministry that Jesus Christ started on earth? (ref. John 4)
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The first Christians faced great persecution that scattered them but they kept preaching the truth. How would you face unforeseen changes that you encounter in life?
Do you have any Samaritan figures in your life who are difficult to love? What are the things you can do to serve them and love them to follow Christ’s example?
#6: The Road to Damascus
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Acts 9:1-20 ESV
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
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TAKE IT IN
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Let’s briefly go back to Acts 8:1-3. Who was Saul?
Why was Saul heading to Damascus? What happened to him on the way? Summarize together.
DIG IT
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Why does Ananias question God when he is sent to Saul? Why does God send Ananias anyway?
What happened when Ananias laid his hands on Saul? (v.18) How did Saul’s course of life change afterward? What do these events tell us about the nature of coming to faith?
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LIVE IT
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Who are the enemies of God in your opinion? Do you ever pray for them? Why or why not?
If you are a believer, share your conversion experience. How were you transformed in conversion? Feel free to pass if you feel like you have not fully come to faith yet, but use this opportunity to listen to how others have come to faith in Jesus.
#7: God Made Them Clean
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Acts 10:9-16 ESV
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
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