Here & Now

Read Acts 1-2. What’s the most inspiring section of the text? What’s most confusing? What brings you hope?

What three things were accomplished at Pentecost?

What’s the historical significance of Pentecost? What’s the primary spiritual significance of Pentecost to you?

Where and how does the text show the love of God for all people?

Describe the difference of the Peter we read about in Acts 2 from the Peter we read about in John 21?

Nine times Peter’s message in Acts 2 references the resurrection. Note each passage here.

Where do you see unity and oneness in this text? Note each passage here.

In your own words, define conviction. Describe the last time you felt conviction from the Holy Spirit. How did conviction motivate you to change your beliefs?

How does the Spirit of God motivate you and animate you and empower you in this season of isolation? Where do you need the promised Presence of the Holy Spirit to bring change to your beliefs?

In your own words, define repentance. Describe the last time you truly repented. What was the outcome?

Read Acts 2.42-47. What characterized the first church? What excites you most about life in the first church? Why?

What excites you most about our church? How might that dynamic be growing in you during our time apart?

Has the Holy Spirit lost His power? How is He at work in you today?

Read Matthew 28.16-20. What’s your first remembrance of hearing the Great Commission? What did it mean to you then? What does it mean to you today? 

After reading the Great Commission, note your responses to the following: 

1.    Who receives the Great Commission? 

2.    What is their response?

3.    How does Matthew characterize their faith? 

4.    What command is given? 

Read Luke 24.50-53. How does the conclusion of Luke’s Gospel encourage you?

What are the similarities and differences in the ending of Luke’s Gospel and Matthew’s Gospel? 

Read 1 Corinthians 15.5-7. How does this text encourage you? What must have it been like to be in that gathering of believers? How has your appreciation for the gathering of believers changed during this quarantine season? 

Matthew characterizes himself and his friends this way, “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” Matthew 28.17.

How is doubt possible when the Resurrected Jesus is standing in front of the disciples? Is it possible to both believe and doubt? Why or why not.

Read and reflect on the comments of Fredrick Bruner: “The Christian faith is bi-polar. Disciples live their life between worship and doubt, trusting and questioning, hoping and worrying.” 

How has your enthusiasm for online worship changed in the last several weeks? How are you engaging these moments of worship? How do you sense God meeting you here? 

What is the singular command in the Great Commission? 

Read Mathew 22.37-40. What is the Command Jesus describes here?

The Great Commission and Great Commandment cannot be separated. How do you see these two “Greats” as interdependent? How are they being lived out in your life today? 

After watching the interview with Chris and Mike, how were you encouraged, challenged, inspired? 

Three questions were asked at the end of the message. Respond to each here. 

1. Where have you experienced growth as a disciple? 
2. Where and how is God at work in your transformation journey from knowledge to knowing?
3. Where is a place you continue to doubt? Who is joining you in this space?

Read Acts 1.1-11. Give God praise for His eternal plan. Invite God to meet you, “Right here, Jesus. Right now, Jesus.”

Read John 21 incarnationally. Where do you find yourself in this story? 

Our students led us through the first 14 verses of John 21. What was the most significant truth you learned in the text? 

Read John 21.3 and answer the questions that follow. 

The disciples weren’t sure where to go or what to do. The ended up going fishing. Our students pointed out that the disciples had been called away from fishing, yet here they are, going fishing. Where do you go when things get out of control? What do you do when you have a hard time making sense of things? What’s the outcome of your “fishing?” 

Why and how are the details important in this text? 

Ruthie Newton challenged us to note 10 ways we’ve seen Jesus at work during the quarantine. Write your Top 10 list here. 

In the second half of the chapter we see and hear Jesus’ conversation with Peter. What exactly is Jesus’ motive in this conversation? 

How is this text not indicative of “reinstatement?” How is Jesus blessing and inviting Peter? 

Read John 21.15-17. What’s the significance of Jesus asking the same question three times? What is the significance of Peter’s response? 

Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep. Who are His sheep? How does Jesus desire for Peter to feed His sheep? 

How is Jesus inviting you to feed His sheep? Who are His sheep Jesus is inviting you to feed? How are you feeding them in this season? How are you staying fed? Who is feeding you? 

Read John 21.18-19. What is Jesus saying to Peter?

As you read and reflect on this text what is Jesus saying to you? Where is He asking you to stay? Where is He asking you to leave? In these places, how is He reminding you of your true identity? 

Reflect on the statement, “The Maker of all things loves me.” What does that truth mean to you today? 

Read John 20.24-31 incarnationally. Where do you find yourself in this text? 

What is your biggest doubt today? 

How might doubt actually be used in the process of transformation? Give an example.

Does not having all the answers about God, or life, or the afterlife scare you or cause you to doubt?

Read, reflect and respond to the thoughts of Madeline L’Engle:

“Those who believe they believe in God but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God himself.”