WEEK 1
General questions about the Book of Acts and the Holy Spirit?
How does understanding that Jesus operated through the anointing of the Holy Spirit rather than solely by His divine nature, maybe change your perspective on what is possible in your own life?
In what ways do you see Jesus still teaching and performing miracles through His Church today?
Why do you think Jesus commanded the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit rather than immediately telling them to go out to evangelize, and what does this teach us about spiritual preparation today?
Many believers stop at speaking in tongues without experiencing the full biblical evidence of power, particularly boldness in witnessing. How do you evaluate whether you are truly filled with the Spirit according to Acts 1:8?
The Bible states that the gospel is fully proclaimed through both words and deeds, including signs and wonders. How does this challenge the modern Church's tendency to rely primarily on verbal communication?
If witnessing was never meant to be done in our own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit, what practical steps can we as believers take to ensure we are operating in this empowerment rather than human effort?
What would it look like for us as a Bible Study to be so directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit that every decision and evangelistic effort we do flows from Jesus’ leading rather than human planning?
Takeaways From Week #1
The Gospel requires both words and deeds. Biblical evangelism isn't just talking about Jesus it's demonstrating His power through signs, wonders, and meeting people at their point of need. We cannot effectively share the gospel relying solely on our own strength; we need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus modeled Spirit-dependent ministry for us. Though He was the Son of God, Jesus chose to minister as the Son of Man, relying completely on the Holy Spirit's anointing. Before the Spirit came upon Him at His baptism, there were zero miracles. This means the same power that worked through Jesus is available to us today.
Being filled with the Spirit produces holy boldness. The ultimate evidence of Spirit-Baptism isn't just speaking in tongues it's power to witness fearlessly, to pray with authority, and to see people delivered and healed. If we're afraid to share Christ with others, we need more of God's empowering presence in our lives.
The Christian life was never designed to be a spectator sport. God has created each of us with a purpose, and He wants to empower us beyond our natural abilities. The question isn't whether this power is available. The question is, do you want it? Are you willing to wait for it, hunger for it, and let it transform how you live for Christ?
This Week's Challenge:
Pray for Empowerment: Set aside 30 minutes to seek God for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to empower you to be a bold witness daily!
Step Out in Boldness: Identify one person you have been afraid to share Christ with. Pray for them daily and ask God for an opportunity to witness this week to them.
Pray for Someone: When you encounter someone with a need physical, emotional, or spiritual offer to pray for them right then expecting God to move.
Evaluate Your Dependence: Write down areas where you have been relying on your own abilities rather than God's power. Confess this and ask for His empowerment.
WEEK #2
The disciples had three years of experience with Jesus, yet He told them not to attempt ministry without the Holy Spirit's power. The baptism in the Holy Spirit provides "power” that enables believers to witness boldly, heal the sick, cast out demons and continue the same work that Jesus began. This power is not optional it is essential for supernatural living and effective ministry.
How does understanding the baptism of the Holy Spirit as “miraculous power” rather than just a religious experience change your expectations of what God wants to do through your life?
Jesus commanded the disciples not to begin ministry until they received the Holy Spirit's power. What does this tell us about attempting to live the Christian life or serve God in our own strength?
Why do you think many Christians are content with salvation alone and do not actively seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to all believers?
If we as Christians try to live supernatural lives without supernatural empowerment. What are the symptoms or signs of this powerless Christianity you see in the modern Church?
How does the fear of talking to people about Jesus relate to the need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and what does this reveal about the connection between power and evangelism?
What is the difference between the Holy Spirit living in you at salvation and being filled with or baptized in the Holy Spirit, and why is this distinction important for Christian living?
God offers the gift of the Holy Spirit, but we must 'take it' by faith. What might be holding you back from actively receiving what God is offering, and what does waiting on God to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit look like in practical terms?
If the Book of Acts never formally ended because Jesus is still working through His Church today, what would our local area of Indiana look like if we as believers operated in the same Holy Spirit power demonstrated in Acts?
Personal Reflection Week #2
Honest Assessment: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the level of supernatural power operating in your life? What evidence or lack thereof leads you to that number?
Fear and Hesitation: Many Christians are "afraid" to witness to friends and family or pray for the sick. What fears or hesitations do you have about operating in the power of the Holy Spirit?
Waiting on God: Have you experienced a season of "waiting" for something from God? How did that waiting period shape you? What did you learn about God's timing?
Everyday Supernatural: What would change in your daily life if you truly operated in "mighty, miraculous power?” Think specifically about your workplace, family, neighborhood, etc.
Signs and Wonders: Bold witnessing, healing the sick, casting out demons, is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s power. Which of these seems most needed in your sphere of influence right now?
Next Steps: If you haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit, what's holding you back from asking God for this gift? If you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, how can you walk more fully in that power?
This Week's Challenges
Daily Prayer: Set aside time each day to specifically ask God to baptize you with the Holy Spirit's power.
Step Out In Faith: Identify one person you know who needs healing, encouragement, or to hear about Jesus. Pray for an opportunity and the boldness to act on it.
Study The Book Of Acts: Read one chapter per day from Acts, noting every instance of Holy Spirit power and how it manifested.
WEEK #3
What does it mean to move from the ordinary to the extraordinary in your spiritual life, and what barriers might be preventing you from experiencing God's supernatural power?
The disciples waited for 10 days in Jerusalem despite having every reason to leave. What areas of your life require this kind of patient obedience as you wait for God's promises to be fulfilled?
The early Church experienced unity despite having diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and levels of spiritual maturity. What practical steps can you take to prioritize spiritual unity over personal preferences with other believers?
Only Jesus can truly change hearts and only God can bring true transformation. How does this challenge your approach to engaging with social issues and cultural change in the world?
If consistent prayer accumulates the weight of grace in our lives, what would it look like for you to contribute to this spiritual momentum rather than just benefit from it?
The disciples prayed until they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Are there promises of God you have given up on too quickly instead of persevering in prayer?
There is difference between religious culture and genuine spiritual revival, what is your role in bringing transformation?
This Week's Challenge
1. Commit to daily prayer asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit daily.
2. Fast one meal a day this week and spend that time in prayer.
3. Pray about areas where you need God's supernatural power in your life.
4. Commit to praying for revival in our community daily.
5. Ask God to show you one person who needs prayer and reach out to them this week.
Reflection Exercise
On a scale of 1-10, rate yourself in these areas:
Obedience to God's clear directions: ____
Unity with other believers (despite differences): ____
Consistency in prayer: ____
Confidence in God's promises: ____
Which of these areas needs the most growth in your life? What's one specific step you can take this week to address this area and grow in your walk with Jesus this week?
WEEK #4
1. Do you believe someone can be actively involved in ministry, even performing miracles in Jesus' name, yet still lack genuine saving faith in Jesus? (Judas?)
2. What is the difference between remorse and true repentance, and do you just have remorse for your sins or do you desire full forgiveness from Jesus?
3. In what ways might you be using Jesus for your own benefit rather than surrendering to serve Him with your whole heart?
4. What does it mean to truly know Jesus relationally versus simply knowing about Him intellectually or historically?
5. How can you ensure that you are not just a spectator of God's work around you? How can you be an active participant in the work of Jesus allowing Jesus to work within you and around you?
6. How would your coworkers, friends, or family members answer if asked whether your life clearly demonstrates that you know Jesus personally?
This Week's Challenge
Seek to put into practice this week the following things:
1.Do A Relationship Check: Set aside 30 minutes of uninterrupted time to honestly evaluate your relationship with Jesus. Ask yourself:
- Do I truly know Jesus or just know about Him?
- Does my life reflect genuine faith or just religious activity?
- Am I serving Jesus or using Him for my purposes?
2.Share Your Faith: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. Pray for them daily and look for an opportunity to share what Jesus means to you personally.
3.Examine Your Motives: Think about your motivations for Church attendance, serving, giving, or other spiritual activities. Are you doing these things out of genuine love for Jesus or for other reasons? Bring your honest answers to God in prayer.
4. Be A Safe Person: Reach out to someone you sense might be struggling this week, let them know you care and are available to listen without judgment. Be intentional about creating space for authentic conversation and prayer with them.
WEEK #5
1. In what ways might the fear of people be preventing you from sharing your faith and how could the baptism of the Holy Spirit address that specific fear in your life?
2. The Book of Acts describes the disciples waiting for ten days without knowing exactly what would happen. How comfortable are you with waiting on God when you don't understand His timeline or methods?
3. If tongues are part of the evidence' of being filled with the Holy Spirit and power is the ultimate evidence. Do you think it's possible to have one without fully experiencing the other and what might that look like?
4. If the work of the Holy Spirit is ultimately connected to world evangelism does that change your understanding of the Holy Spirit's primary purpose in in the lives of believers?
5. What might you need to surrender in terms of control or comfort to fully participate in what God is wanting to do through the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
6. Being filled with the Holy Spirit sometimes comes with strange manifestations does that hinder you in any way from seeking to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of your actions?
This Week's Challenges
1. Set aside 15-30 minutes daily to pray specifically for the baptism of the Holy Spirit if you haven't received it or for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit.
2. Ask God to remove any fears, theological barriers, or misconceptions that might hinder you from receiving or moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Identify one person this week you have been afraid to share Christ with and ask the Holy Spirit for boldness to have a conversation with them.
4. Pray for someone this week who is sick, believing God for healing.
WEEK #6
1. In the teaching it was said that God's will is not automatic and requires our active participation. In what areas of your life might you be passively waiting for God to act instead of partnering with Him in faith?
2. In the teaching it was said that “worship is not just singing songs to Jesus but living a life that glorifies Jesus in every way.” If you believe this to be true how should this affect your daily actions, words, and thoughts and change your approach to ordinary moments each day?
3. Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes from hearing the Word of God, which sensitizes us to hear God's voice with power to accomplish His purposes. Can you recall a time when immersion in Scripture enabled you to hear and obey God's specific direction in a supernatural way?
4. The teaching challenged the American tendency toward spiritual independence, arguing that God designed growth to happen in community. What fears or past hurts might be keeping you from fully engaging in relationship with other believers?
5. The early Church in Acts 2:44-45 shared possessions and gave to those in need, understanding that God blesses us to be a blessing. Beyond financial giving, what other resources has God given you that could be used to demonstrate compassionate concern for others?
6. Penn Jillette is an atheist, but he questioned in the video how much you would have to hate someone not to share the gospel if you truly believe in heaven and hell. Does this perspective challenge or change how you view evangelism and your responsibility to share your faith?
This Week's Challenge
1. Commit to daily Bible reading a minimum of 10 minutes a day this week.
2. Share a testimony with someone about God's work in your life.
3. Show Compassion to someone by looking for one practical way to help someone in need this week.
4. Share the Gospel with one person this week that Jesus puts on your heart.
5. Pray daily for an unsaved friend or family member by name.
WEEK #7
1. Jesus said we can ask for anything in His name and He will do it, yet many Christians struggle with unanswered prayer. How do you reconcile Jesus' clear promises with your own experiences of disappointment in prayer?
2. Peter declared it was not by his own power or godliness that the lame man was healed, but by the name of Jesus. How does self-focus and feelings of inadequacy prevent you from stepping out in faith to pray for others?
3. In the teaching it was said that the power to do the miraculous in Jesus names follows boldness. Where is Jesus calling you to take a bold step of faith that feels uncomfortable or risky for you?
4. The healing of the lame man in Acts 3 occurred as Peter took action and helped the man up, not before. What does this teach us about the relationship between faith, obedience, and the manifestation of God's power?
5. Jesus taught us to pray for God's Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. How should the reality of heaven, where there is no sickness or lack, shape what we boldly ask Jesus for today?
6. The teaching distinguished between requesting things in prayer versus commanding things in prayer in certain situations. How can we as believers discern when to shift from asking God to commanding things like illness or evil spirits to be gone in Jesus' name?
7. The lame man's healing at the temple gate in Acts 3 led directly to Peter and John doing evangelism and Peter preaching the gospel to the astonished crowd. In what ways should miracles and answered prayers naturally overflow into opportunities to testify about Jesus to others?
This Week's Challenge
1. Start a journal specifically for bold prayers. Write down what you are asking God for "in Jesus' name" and watch for His answers.
2. Identify one person this week you feel prompted to pray for. Don't overthink it just obey and pray boldly for them in Jesus name!
3. Memorize John 14:13-14 and declare it over your prayer life daily.
John 14:13-14 13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.
Next Week: come prepared to share one answered prayer from this week no matter how small.
Week #8
1. How does the reality that more Christians were martyred in the last century than in the previous 19 centuries combined challenge our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus today?
2. Peter and John were uneducated, ordinary men, yet they spoke with such boldness and wisdom that the religious leaders were astonished. What does this teach us about the source of spiritual authority and effectiveness?
3. Jesus said that everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted. If you have never experienced any form of persecution for your faith, what might that reveal about how you are living out your Christianity?
4. The sermon emphasizes that the gospel will annoy people and that we should expect opposition. How can we distinguish between people being offended by the gospel itself versus being offended by our delivery or attitude?
5. Acts 4:12 declares that there is salvation in no other name but Jesus. In our pluralistic society that values tolerance above truth claims, how can Christians communicate this exclusive message with both conviction and compassion?
6. In the teaching it was said that: “The evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not just speaking in tongues but having power to witness!” How does this understanding challenge or expand your view of what it means to be Spirit-filled?
7. Peter and John performed signs and wonders in Jesus' name, and we talked about in the teaching we as believers need do the same. What fears, doubts, or theological questions hold you back from praying boldly for healing and miracles?
8. The religious leaders recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. What specific practices or disciplines in your life would lead others to draw the same conclusion about you?
This Week's Challenge
The 6 Resolutions From This Weeks Teaching:
1. I will not fear opposition.
2. I will proclaim the resurrection.
3. I will perform signs and wonders in Jesus' name.
4. I will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
5. I will tell people that Jesus is the only way to be saved.
6. I will spend time with Jesus.
Choose one or two of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Overcome Fear of Opposition: Identify one person you have been afraid to share the gospel with and pray daily for an opportunity to speak with them. And then seek to share your faith with that person this week, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Option 2: Pray in Jesus' Name with Expectation: Find someone who needs healing or help and pray for them specifically in Jesus' name, expecting God to work. And keep a journal of your prayers and watch for God's answers.
Option 3: Be Filled Fresh with the Holy Spirit: Ask God to fill you afresh this week with His Holy Spirit specifically for witnessing power.
Option 4: Declare Jesus as the Only Way: Practice articulating why Jesus is the only way to salvation in a gracious, clear way. When opportunities arise in conversation, lovingly but clearly share this truth.
Option 5: Spend Intentional Time with Jesus: Commit to 15-30 minutes daily in prayer and Bible reading this week and, in the weeks, to come. And focus on simply "being with Jesus" rather than just checking off a devotional task.
Week #9
1. How does viewing God as the “Father of Encouragement” change the way you understand His character and interact with Him daily?
2. In what ways can you cultivate the habit of obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit so that you become more sensitive to His voice when He is prompting you to be encouraging to others?
3. Barnabas was generous with his time, words, and finances when encouraging others. Which of these three areas is most challenging for you, and why?
4. Paul initially rejected John Mark, but Barnabas continued to invest in him despite the disagreement with Paul. How do you balance discernment with giving people second chances?
5. The teaching talked about how encouragement can have prophetic insight, seeing in people what they cannot see in themselves. Can you recall a time when someone saw potential in you that you did not recognize?
6. How might the Christians become more known as a people of encouragement and what specific role could you play in making that happen?
7. What prevents you from speaking encouraging words to others, and how might you overcome those barriers this week?
The Encouragement Experiment
Choose ONE or MORE of the following to practice this week:
1. Encouragement Texts: Send one encouraging text, email, or note each day to someone different (friends, family, coworkers, church members)
2. The Barnabas Assignment: Identify someone who feels like they've failed or been rejected. Take intentional time to encourage them this week.
3. Obey the Prompting: When the Holy Spirit prompts you to encourage someone (with words, finances, or time), obey immediately without hesitation.
4. The 3-Person Challenge: Think of three people this week and write down specific things you appreciate about them. Share those thoughts with them this week.
Reflection Questions for Personal Time
Who has been a "Barnabas" in my life?
Am I known as an encourager? Would people give me that nickname because I encourage them?
Who is God calling me to encourage right now?
What is holding me back from being more generous with encouragement?
How can I cultivate a more sensitive ear to the Holy Spirit's promptings regarding encouraging others?
