TODAY:

Acts 1:1-11 | Identity & Mission

BIG IDEA:

God’s Spirit confirms our identity & empowers our mission

SCRIPTURES:

Acts 1:1-11, Acts 28:31, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Matthew 24

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: When you think about Jesus returning, do you typically think more about

when that might be, or if you’re living faithfully in the meantime?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple

who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational

mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from

just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Jesus says when we give our lives to Him, we will be baptized with the Holy

Spirit, which means we will have a new experiential reality. How much of a

role does God’s Spirit have in your faith & life?

Q: Jesus was talking about the Kingdom of God, while the disciples asked

about restoring the Kingdom of Israel. How easy is it to mix worldly

systems/ideas into what Jesus said? Why is this potentially dangerous?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: Sometimes Jesus say “wait” & sometimes “go”. Is it easier for you to wait or

go when it comes to living out your faith? Why?

Q: How can we live a healthy rhythm of “wait/go” as a church family?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: What does it mean for us to be witnesses (“martys”) of Jesus in the world

around us? Around the world? In NWUtahCo?

QUOTES:

“It’s not the disciples’ job to know the exact timing of the fulfillment of God’s plan –

their job is to be faithful & obedient while they wait. Their job might not be to

witness the coming of Christ, but it is to be witnesses of the Christ who would come.”

“God doesn’t call the equipped – He equips the called.”

“History is not haphazard or cyclical; it is moving toward a specific point – the return

of Jesusto judge and rule over the earth. We should be ready – not by standing

around ‘staring into heaven,’ but by using the gifts God has given usto spread the

Good News.” (Life Application Study Bible)

“Jesus’ Church doesn’t have a mission – Jesus’ mission has a Church.”