Before We Get Started
For our discussion today, we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at makingamosaic.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.
Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
This Week’s Topic
Pentecost Sunday
Today’s Topic
The Sound of a Pentecost People
Discussion Questions
What is your go-to, always beloved musical album?
Heaven on Earth
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting 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.
Acts 1:7-8
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.”
Morgan Stephens
Pentecost shows us that average people, not just the apostles, not just the original disciples of Jesus, can experience the sound of heaven in their lives.
What expectations do you imagine the disciples had as they gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost?
What are some of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives us that help us to receive and offer others God’s power?
How have you experienced the “sound of heaven” in your life?
Nations on Their Lips
Acts 2:5-8
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
Lamin Sanneh
The original language of Christianity is translation.
How has Acts 2 supported and encouraged Christian missionaries to prioritize learning to communicate in and translate the Bible into indigenous languages?
How does having the Bible translated into its own language help connect a culture and people more deeply with the gospel?
Witness in Public
Acts 2:14
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
How has the Holy Spirit empowered you to preach the gospel more boldly?
Along with actual preaching, what are some other ways we can be witnesses of God’s grace and truth?
Who is God calling you to “preach” to in your life at work, at school, or in your family?
Love in the Church
Acts 2:44-46
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…
How does our trust in and reliance on the Holy Spirit’s power lower our inhibitions and tendency toward self-preservation?
What does being “drunk with love” (as Pastor Morgan spoke about in the sermon) look like in your life at church?
What does the world “hear” when the church loves others well?
Final Thought
Robert Baer
Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us.
Spend some time praying for one another, asking the Holy Spirit to increase our portion of his power so that we can be more effective witnesses of God’s goodness and glory in the world.