The Upward Road

Sermon Discussion Questions: April 12, 2026 The Upward Road Call to Worship: Psalm 47:1-9 1. When the Psalmist proclaims in verse 5 that “God has ascended.”, to what historical event was he likely referring? 2. To what future event(s) do Christians believe the Psalmist may have been referring? 3. If the world's leaders do not acknowledge God, what sense do they belong to Him (v9)? Sermon: Acts 1:6-11 I. The Final Misunderstanding – Verses 6-7 1. State one reason, that Pastor Paul mentioned in the sermon, that it was necessary for Jesus to ascend. 2. Why, considering Jesus' clear and repeated admonitions not to predict the date of his return, do religious leaders periodically do so? 3. Regarding the 2nd coming, Christians should focus on ______, not _______. II. The Outward Power – Verse 8 4. Jesus goes up, the Spirit comes down, we go _________. 5. What is your recourse when you do not feel empowered to carry out Jesus' command in verse 8? 6. Share a time you carried out Jesus' prophesy in verse 8. III. Christ Is Risen Again – Verse 9 7. What similarities do we see between the way God guided the Jews during the wilderness wandering, and the departure of Jesus and coming of the Holy Spirit? 8. When did the event described in Hebrews 6:20 happen? IV. The Expectant Road – Verses 10-11 9. When the predictions, regarding Jesus' return, of false prophets are proven false, they do not always admit error. Sometimes they create new doctrine. One of those doctrines is that Jesus returned invisibly. How would you address that claim? 10. If “...why do you stand here looking into the sky?” was a gentle reproach, what was the angel suggesting the Apostles should have been doing instead? 11. Regarding the first prayer point: Prior to the ascension, was Jesus king? 12. Share a scripture that affirms or develops the third prayer point. 13. AI Question 🤖: How does the ascension of Jesus connect to His promise of the coming Holy Spirit? Prayer Points: • Ask for the grace to rest in God’s sovereign “times and seasons,” trusting that our King is already seated on the throne. • Pray that we would be faithful witnesses of the Gospel to our neighbors and to the ends of the earth. • Pray to live each day with the certainty that the same Jesus who ascended in glory will return to make all things new.