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?
Opening Question
Have you ever spent time on a farm or worked in a garden? What is one thing you learned from that experience?
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.
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? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”– Acts 2:1-12
Festival (Feast) #1: Firstfruits (The One)
In ancient Israel, farmers brought the first of their fields’ produce to the priest as an offering. This was waved before the Lord as the farmer recited the history of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. This command was given through Moses while Israel wandered the desert, in the transition between their slavery in Egypt and their entry into the Promised Land.
How is sacrificing the first and best of a harvest an act of worship and trust in God?
What is the significance of reciting the story of Israel’s deliverance while the priest waves the offering before God?
In 1 Corinthians, the resurrection of Jesus is described as the “firstfruits” of all who believe in him and receive eternal life.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
– 1 Corinthians 15:20
In our daily lives, how can we honor Jesus as the first and best sacrificial offering? What role do thanksgiving, prayer, lordship, and obedience play in our worship?
Festival (Feast) #2: Pentecost (The Many)
Fifty days after Passover, ancient Israel celebrated the harvest with immense joy and community. As one of the pilgrimage festivals, Pentecost required the Jewish people to travel to Jerusalem.
Just as Israel relied on God’s power to flourish, Acts 2 shows God generously pouring out his Spirit on his gathered people, causing the church to grow as thousands come to faith in Christ.
What does the requirement to gather and celebrate the harvest reveal about God’s nature and what he values in his followers?
How does gathering together in worship position us to witness and receive the power of the Holy Spirit?
How has God provided in your life so far this year?
Festival/Feast #3: Tabernacles (The All)
During the Feast of Tabernacles, Israel gathered the final fruits of the harvest—olives and grapes—in a celebration of completion. For Christians, the return of Christ represents a similar completion, where we will behold the multitude of people reached by the gospel:
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
– Revelation 7:9-10
How can our participation in worship, community, and mission now contribute to the greater “harvest” then, when Christ returns?
Who do you know that preaches the gospel or ministers effectively in their home, neighborhood, or workplace in Austin? How could you encourage or support them this week?
Who do you know that needs to hear the good news of God’s love? How can you show them God’s generosity in a unique way this week?
Closing Thought
To conclude, prayerfully ask God to pour out his Spirit so you may effectively be his witnesses. Pray for Mosaic and the global church, asking God to strengthen his people and provide laborers for the ministry.