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This is the study page for this Thursday, August 23 (possibly).  We will be looking over Acts 2, which may take us more than a week.

As you read Acts 2, look for things that are out of place, or unexpected in a familiar story.  Ask yourself questions, and write them down to share Thursday.  Once through it, go back over it, prayerfully considering what might be God's point for inspiring this story (don't assume), the role of His Spirit in these events, and then what is the central event on which the others turn.  Then, on your third time through, consider the questions below.

• What does Pentecost celebrate (there's a link, but also look in any resources you have as well)?
• What senses (of the 5) are used to describe the Holy Spirit's arrival?
• Look up the word "filled" in Strong's (G4130).  What does it add to the English word, "filled"?
• What connection do you see between verses 4 and 5 if any?  Or is 5 just a transition?
• What does the assembled crowd tell you about the "sensory" details of the event?
• There is one popular area of the Mediterranean Sea missing in this list of peoples.  Which one?
• Two words are used in verse 7 for the "feelings" of the crowd, "amazed" (G1839) and "astonished" (G2296). How are they different, and what do you imagine the crowd doing?
• How did they know they were all Galileans? So what if they are?
• In verse 12 there are two others (or one different), "amazed" (G1839 again) and "perplexed" (G1280). How is this different from "astonished"?
• The term "new wine" is the translation of this word (G1098).  What seems odd about this suggestion?
• Look up Joel 2.  What is this chapter about?  Is that what's happening here?  How is it similar?
• What is the core claim of Peter about Jesus in verses 22-24?
•  Look up Psalm 16:8-11.  How does the meaning of the Psalm change if it's applied to Jesus?  What does that mean for its application in David's day?
• Peter makes a good case for not applying it to David.  How would the people of Israel understood it?
• The people respond with, "What do we do?"  What is Peter's answer?  Is that enough?
• What is church like in verses 42-47?  What's the core quality they have?
• What would it be like for our church to be like this?  What stops us?

That should do for now.  Remember to bring your questions.  Pray for each other this week.  Pray especially for Lyndsay.  She will be really busy preparing for Sunday because it's going to be all music all the time (except for Communion); very tiring, both preparing and performing.

I look forward to seeing you all Thursday!

A Lot of Choice

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting August 16.  This is for Acts chapter 1.

This chapter is a great introduction into the beginnings of one of the most amazing entities in existence; a group of humans that form the bride of the Master of the universe.  It's pretty bizarre when you think about it.  And this chapter has some of that strangeness in it as well.

As you read the chapter, consider the following few questions.  As always, consider questions of your own. 

• Is this a story or a letter?
• What is different between how this account begins and how the Gospel of Luke ends (see Luke 24:45-53)?
• Who is present in the upper room who wasn't there in the Gospel of Luke (or the other ones either)?
• In the final half of the chapter, what is Peter leading them to do?
• What verses does he use to explain it, and what do you think those passages refer to?
• This occurs before the Holy Spirit comes upon them in power as Jesus mentions.  Why would they do this now rather than wait for that event?
• What is the point or role of this "ministry"?
• Who chose Matthias?

Those should do for now.  We may revisit some of these later in the book.

I look forward to opening up this particular "can" with all of you this Thursday.  I hope you enjoy the blessings of our Master and Savior, Jesus until then.