Bible ReadingActs 1:1-11 “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 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. 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; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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.’ 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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”
[22:27]Acts 1:8 “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.”
[41:50]2 Corinthians 5:14-20 “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
Luke 4:18-20 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’”
Observation questions- In Acts 1:1-11, what are the main things Jesus does and says before his ascension—especially around proving he is alive, telling the disciples to wait, and sending them as witnesses?
- In Acts 1, what kind of question do the disciples ask Jesus, and how does Jesus redirect their attention? [37:35]
- What does Acts 1:8 say the Holy Spirit gives, and what is that power meant for? [41:50]
- What are some concrete examples of witness that were described, especially in ordinary life with neighbors and in sending people out to plant churches? [31:23]
Interpretation questions- Luke says his first book recorded all that Jesus “began” to do and teach. What does that suggest about what Jesus is still doing now through his church? [25:43]
- Jesus gives “many convincing proofs” that he is alive. Why does the resurrection move faith beyond admiration and into obedience? [28:41]
- Jesus tells ready disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. Why is waiting sometimes a necessary part of obedience rather than a delay of obedience? [34:46]
- The disciples want a timetable for the kingdom, but Jesus gives them a mission. What wrong questions can quietly pull a church or a Christian away from witness today? [37:35]
Application questions- Jesus continues his work on earth through his people. Where does it feel easiest right now to settle into attendance, routine, or comfort instead of joining his mission? What might it look like to step back into that mission this week? [27:49]
- A living King deserves more than admiration. Is there an area of life where Jesus is respected but not really obeyed—home life, work life, money, relationships, purity, forgiveness, or witness? What would surrender look like there? [31:01]
- Waiting is not wasting when it becomes prayer, surrender, and dependence on the Spirit. What are you waiting on right now, and how could that waiting become more prayerful and more dependent on God instead of merely frustrated? [35:30]
- Jesus turns eyes from the sky toward the city, the family, the neighbor, the coworker, and even the enemy. Which of those people or places is hardest for you to see as part of your calling, and why? [38:37]
- A witness tells what has been seen and experienced. How comfortable are you sharing a simple story like, “I once was lost, but Jesus found me”? What part of your story could you share naturally with someone in your life? [43:24]
- Comfort says stay, but Jesus says go. What forms of comfort most often keep you from witness—fear of awkwardness, fear of rejection, love of privacy, a full schedule, or something else? What is one small act of obedience you could take this week? [45:18]
- Heaven celebrates every seat emptied for the sake of filling eternity. What sacrifice feels costly to you right now—time, energy, money, convenience, or relationships—and how might God use that sacrifice for someone else’s good? [45:48]
