Introduction & Prayer
The book of Acts follows the Gospels. What does the book of Acts tell?
Clap through the Bible chant to see if you can identify the different types of literature in the Bible we read (5 books of the Law, 12 books of history, 5 books of poetry, 5 books of Major Prophets and 12 books of minor prophets then comes 4 Gospels, 1 book about birth of the church, 21 letters how the church should operate and 1 book about the future of the church)
Pray
Read Acts 1:1-2
1In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Who is the author? (Dr. Luke)
Who is Theophilus (Luke’s friend who speaks Greek)
How many days did Jesus appear to the Apostles and how often? (we don’t know how many days, but we know it was multiple times over the course of 40 days)
When was the book of Acts written? (Around 60-62 AD)
Read Acts 1:3
3During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
Why does Luke include the comments about Jesus’ suffering and death?
Read Acts 1:4
4Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.
Why would the Holy Spirit be considered a gift?
Who promised the Holy Spirit?
How does Jesus’ suffering and death relate to the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Read Acts 1:5
5John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
What did John’s baptism with water signify? (This was an identification with Christ)
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
Have you ever had to wait for something that you were wanting? Describe the time period of waiting.
Read Acts 1:6-7
6So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
Why were the disciples concerned about restoring the kingdom of Israel?
How did Jesus reply to them? (The Father alone has the authority to set dates and times for restoration)
How does verses 5-7 support the idea of the Trinity?
Read Acts 1:8
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
What were the signs of the Holy Spirit coming upon them? They would receive Power and be witnesses.
Where are the disciples to go to share the testimony of Jesus?
What is our responsibility for sharing Christ with others?
What is the significance of God telling them to go to Samaria? (that would have been their enemies or people they greatly disliked)
Give a specific example of what you believe could be your Samaria?
Read Acts 1:9-11
9After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
Why was it important that Jesus came as a baby in the first Advent?
What is the significance of how He will come in the second Advent?
Read Acts 1:12-14
12Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. 13When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
The mount of Olives may have reminded these God-followers of some their greatest failures. How has God spoken through your failures?
Describe someone you know who allowed a failure to ruin their life.
So the believers gathered together to find a replacement for Judas….
Read Acts 1:21-26
21“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—22from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.” 23So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
Why was it important that this disciple was someone who had been present and was a witness of Jesus’ resurrection?
Think on this…
How should knowing Jesus change or impact our lives?