CONNECT
1. If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
2. What’s your mission today—the problem that deserves your attention and love?
3. Where is God inviting you to trust the wind of His Spirit more?

PRAY
Spend a few minutes quieting your hearts and turning your attention toward God. Allow time for people to voice their prayers (open to anyone who wants to chime in), using these prayer prompts as a guide:

God, I thank You for…
God, we pray for Brookwood that…
God, we pray for our community that…
God, we pray that during our time together You would…

Add your own words of prayer and praise.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS (on the mission of the church)
Surprise the World! The Five Habits of Highly Missional People, Michael Frost
Christian Mission in the Modern World, John R.W. Stott

We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.
John R.W. Stott

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture enables us to carry within us the life-giving, life-shaping words of God at all times in all places. Here’s a verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
▶️ Don’t worry about getting to all the questions. That’s not the point. Be thoughtful and prayerful. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reflection and discussion.

▶️ If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

1. Scholars widely believe the Book of Acts was written by Luke—a physician and companion of Paul and the writer of the Gospel of Luke. Based on this passage, why did he write Acts?

2. Why did Jesus tell them to wait in Jerusalem?

3. What does it mean to you that believers are “baptized with the Holy Spirit"?

4. For what are the apostles eager and even impatient? Why?

5. In what ways did Jesus prepare and equip His apostles to continue His ministry and life on earth?

6. Jesus told the disciples they would be witnesses. According to this passage, what were some of the things they witnessed?

7. If you were one of the apostles, what thoughts and emotions might you be experiencing as Jesus spoke?

8. If this was the only passage of Scripture you had, what would you know for sure about what Jesus wants from His followers?

9. Where is your mission field?

10. How equipped do you feel about carrying out the mission of Jesus?

11. Repetition is a clue to the ideas a writer wants to emphasize, and John uses this technique masterfully. List words, phrases and ideas he repeats.

12. From what you know of John—one of Jesus’ closest friends and writer of the Gospel of John—what are some of the primary things he heard and saw during his time with Jesus?

13. How do you respond to the idea that Jesus is a person who can be known and loved, obeyed and followed, a person who continues to act in the real world?

14. What was John’s motivation in telling others what he’d experienced during his time with Jesus?

15. When have you felt joy in telling someone about your relationship with Jesus?

16. What have you seen or experienced first-hand in your relationship with Jesus that you love talking about or can’t wait to share with others?

THE BIG TAKEAWAY
After this week’s lesson, what’s one thought, question or takeaway you’re sitting with right now? Pause and ask God what He wants you to know or think about. Allow time for Him to speak, being sensitive to thoughts that come to mind. Growing often comes by simply making yourself available to God.

PRAY
Invite someone to close your time in prayer.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.