1. How did you “go public” with your love for God and his love for you this past week?
2. What sounds and sights come to mind as you think about what happens when you come to worship each Lord’s Day?
Ask two people to read aloud Acts 2:1-4, 14-15, 22-24, 29-32, 36-42 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passages.
3. Jesus’ followers were “all together in one place” when the Holy Spirit came in the form of wind (the sound of it, at least), fire, and speech. Why was this convincing evidence of God’s presence?
• What convincing evidence of God’s presence do we have today?
4. The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus’ followers to “speak in other tongues” (v. 4). A crowd of people of various nationalities gathered and “each one heard their own language being spoken” (v. 6).
• What does this reveal about God’s love for the world and his desire for us in regard to that world?
5. Some people who were gathered at Pentecost mocked those who spoke in “other tongues.” Have you ever been mocked for your faith?
• How did you respond?
• Looking back on that incident, is there something you would do differently?
6. In his Bible Study this week, Mark Scott notes that 10 of the 19 verses in Peter’s Pentecost sermon were about Jesus’ resurrection.
• Why is Jesus’ resurrection such an important part of the Christian faith?
• When in your life has the impact of Jesus’ resurrection been especially powerful to you?
7. Mark Scott refers to verse 36 as Peter’s “sermon in a sentence.” Why were the people, upon hearing Peter’s message, “cut to the heart” and eager to do something (v. 37)?
8. Peter challenged his audience to “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). What specific challenges do people in our culture face in following this instruction?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
10. Complete this statement: “I need the help of the Holy Spirit most of all in this area of my life:________.”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Acts 4:32—5:16. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
