Acts 1:1-14 The Wait is Over Discussion Guide

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Discussion Guide: The Wait is Over  (Acts 1:1-14)
Central Theme: Waiting isn't passive; it's a time of active preparation and anticipation for God's power.


Reflect:

• My Wait:
  • What are you waiting for in your life right now? (Be specific: a job opportunity, healing, relationship restoration, direction, etc.)
  • How does waiting make you feel? (Frustrated, impatient, hopeful, uncertain?)
  • Share a personal experience where waiting eventually led to a positive outcome or growth in your faith.
• Holy Spirit's Power:
  • In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's power to be more evident? (Overcoming fear, sharing your faith, making wise decisions, forgiving others, etc.)
  • How can you actively invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His power in these areas? (Prayer, Bible study, worship, seeking guidance from mature Christians)
  • Share a time when you felt the Holy Spirit empowering you to do something you couldn't have done on your own.
• My Witness:
  • Who around you needs to experience God's love and the message of Jesus? (Friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc.)
  • What practical steps can you take this week to be a witness for Christ in your sphere of influence? (Acts of kindness, sharing your testimony, inviting someone to church, etc.)
  • Discuss how the Holy Spirit can empower you to be bolder in sharing your faith.

Take Action (Choose one or more this week):

• Deepen Faith:
  • Commit to a daily time of prayer and Bible study, focusing on passages about the Holy Spirit's power and the early church in Acts.
  • Join or start a small group focused on studying the Book of Acts and praying for the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
• Build Character:
  • Identify areas in your life where your character needs to be strengthened (patience, kindness, honesty, forgiveness, etc.).
  • Pray for God's help to develop these qualities and seek accountability from a trusted friend or mentor.
• Hone Skills:
  • What skills or gifts has God given you that you could use to serve Him and others?
  • How can you further develop these skills to be more effective in your ministry? (Take a class, read a book, find a mentor)
• Strive for Excellence:
  • In what areas of your life can you demonstrate excellence for God's glory? (Work, relationships, studies, hobbies, etc.)
  • Commit to giving your best effort in everything you do this week, as an act of worship to God.

Discussion Questions:

• How does the story of the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit challenge or encourage you in your own waiting?
• What are some practical ways we can wait "actively" instead of passively?
• How does the Holy Spirit empower us to be witnesses for Christ in today's world?
• What are some specific ways we can pray for the Holy Spirit to move in our lives and in our church?
• How can we support each other in our journeys of faith and waiting?

Remember:

• God is at work even when we can't see it.
• The Holy Spirit is alive and active in our lives today.
• We are called to be witnesses for Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Challenge:  Don't let waiting be a time of inactivity. Instead, actively seek God, deepen your faith, build your character, hone your skills, and strive for excellence in everything you do. As you do this, you will be ready to receive the Holy Spirit's power and become a bold witness for Christ.