This Week's Scripture: Acts 1:1-14
Crossroads Community Group Guide
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.
B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.
C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)
E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website
F. Review:
- How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
- Who did you invite to the group for this week?
G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):
- In what areas of their lives do people feel powerless to change or take new steps.
H. Background Information for this study:
The book of Acts is an historical account of how the church began and how it spread. It was written by Luke, a historian, who also wrote the book of Luke. Jesus has already been crucified, dead, buried and risen on the third day. Jesus appeared and talk with his diciples (followers) for a period of 40 days.
Jesus instructed (commanded) his disciples to spread the good news about new life and forgiveness all over the world and make disciples (followers) of Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20). There were approximately 120 followers at that time. In these verses Jesus is ascending back to heaven and leaving His followers on earth to do the mission (job of making disciples). If we put ourselves in the disciples position you and I would feel powerless to do what Jesus has asked us to do. So Jesus gives them instructions on what to do.
First Section: Acts 1:1-5. The situation and Jesus' final instructions.
Second Section: Acts 1:6-11. Jesus tells them they need power from God to do what He is asking them to do.
Third Section: Acts 1;12-14. The disciples join together in persistent prayer. The focus here is on United, Persistent, Prayer. Discuss what these 3 words will mean in our lives today.
In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.
J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)
1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.3. What are the details?4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?
K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)
1. What catches your attention in these verses?2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?4. What do you learn about people from the story?5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
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