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Acts 2:1-21

1When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
?5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
?14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
?17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
?18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.?19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’?”

  • What is important about the “sound like the rush of a violent wind”? What images come to mind?
  • What do you think is significant about the apostles speaking in different languages?
  • Why do you think Peter refers to the book of Joel as an explanation of the gospel?

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

 24How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its swarms too many to number, living things both small and great. 26There go the ships to and fro, and Leviathan, which you made for the sport of it. 27All of them look to you to give them their food in due season.  28You give it to them; they gather it; you open your hand, and they are filled | with good things. 29When you hide your face,  they are terrified;  when you take away their breath, they die and return  to their dust. 30You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. 31May the glory of the Lord endure forever; O Lord, rejoice in all your works.  32You look at the earth and it trembles; you touch the mountains and they smoke. 33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. 34May these words of mine please God. I will rejoice in the Lord.  35bBless the Lord, O my soul. Hallelujah! 

  • What is the mood and tone of this Psalm? 
  • What is a Leviathan and why do you think it’s named specifically?
  • What hymns come to mind when you read this?

Romans 8:14-17

14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

  • What is a spirit of slavery vs a spirit of adoption?  What does this mean to you?
  • How would the motivation / dedication differ when thinking of a slave as compared to a son or daughter?
  • What are the benefits and obligations of being heirs? 
  • What of the suffering?  How does the thought of suffering with Christ to also be glorified with him impact you?

John 14:8-17 [25-27]

8Philip said to [Jesus,] “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
 15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

…..25“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

 

  • How would you describe what the disciples were struggling with
  • In a few words, what is Jesus’ response in verses 9-14?  What kind of tone do you think Jesus  had when he answered Philip?
  • How do we remember to not let our hearts be troubled and afraid, when we live in a world that seems to run on worry and fear? 

Go and Do Challenge:

Share the Living Jesus with another person this week. You can do this with your words or with your actions (or both!)