ENLARGE

John 14:12 NIV

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

What is the Bible - really?

History book?

Written revelation of God to man?

A guide to keep people on the right track morally and teach reveal the meaning of life?

Or is it more?

The Bible provides awesome and amazing stories from ancient history where normal people were swept up into amazing experiences at the hand of God

The Disciples are the greatest example of this

Can we live the way the Disciples lived?

What should we expect from living a Spirit-filled life?

PRAYER

Connect

Which of the miracle stories in the Bible would you have most liked to witness in person?

Do you think miracles like that could still happen, even in your life? Why or why not?

Watch first DVD segment

Notes:

Grow

What characteristics of a Spirit-empowered life, or a God-sized life, did you hear about?

Acts 3:1–10 NIV

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter is the same one that denied Jesus 3 times when Jesus needed him most. How could that same man be so confident now?

Did Peter know this man would be healed?

Does God demonstrate miracles like this today?

Do we really expect Him to?

Acts 4:23–31 NIV

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Why did Peter and John ask for boldness rather than for the power to do more miracles?

How can this example in Acts encourage us to live Spirit-empowered lives today?

Watch second DVD segment

Notes:

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The stories in God’s Word make it pretty clear that one of our top priorities as believers is to ask God to fill us and empower us with the Holy Spirit

Let’s, each one of us, make that our earnest prayer each day

No matter if you have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, this study will confront you with the need for this experience and subsequent lifestyle

The moment of Spirit-baptism is not in your control - but it is essential that you take every opportunity to express that hunger as you seek the Lord.

The most famous example of Spirit baptism in the Bible was the very first time it happened

Acts 2:1–4 NIV

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Serve

The Holy Spirit has give each one of us special gifts with which to serve the Body of Christ

When we use our gifts, everyone benefits and God is honored

We grow in faith and understanding in the process

Determine how you can use your gifts to serve over the next week

Think about your gifts and calling — what is one way you could serve others in our group: pray for them, lead worship, help with the snack list and schedule, or something else?

What kinds of things can we do if we truly desire to live a Spirit empowered-life?

How can we help each other grow spiritually?

Go

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Pray for people in your life that need to hear the Good News and Jesus - ask the Lord to open doors of opportunity and to prepare you to step through

Write down the names of some people you will pray for

Worship

Worship is more than singing and raising our hands to God — Worship means giving our attention to God.

How can we worship Him when we come together?

How can you worship Him throughout each day?

DEVOTIONS

Read Acts chapter 1 as many times as you can and let the Holy Spirit stir your heart

Write down your thoughts or questions

Put something you learned into practice