Power & Purpose (Acts 1)

Message Listening Guide

Broad overview
·      Connecting to the Prequel (1-3)
·      The promise and the mission (4-8)
·      Ascension (9-11)
·      Roll Call (12-14)
·      The first church search committee (15-26)
Power (vs 4,5,8)
·      To proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ boldly and with a supernatural impact
·      Luke 12:11-12
o   Courage – boldness to proclaim the truth while counting the cost
o   Content – supernatural message clarity 
·      John 16:7-14
o   8-11: Conviction to the hearer
o   13: Guided revelation of the truth
·      Examples
o   Acts 4:7-13 (Peter and John)
o   Acts 6:10 (Stephen)
The mission of the church to proclaim the good news needs to be powered by the Holy Spirit.  As members of His church, we should be actively seeking to be filled and filled again.
Corporate Prayer
The on-ramp to activating God’s power and A consistent priority for the early church
·      Acts 1:13-14
·      Acts 2:42
Acts 4:23-31
·      Courage
·      Expansion of the Kingdom
·      Continued empowerment
Praying together about the Kingdom of God is essential to see it grow.

Connection Group Conversation Guide

Pray: Share prayer requests and open your time in prayer.

Get-to-know-you Question: Share your name with the group and answer this: What was the most awe-inspiring religious building you’ve ever seen or visited?

Opening Question: Have you ever read the book of Acts before? If so, what’s one story or moment from it that really stuck with you—and why?

Review: Sunday’s message focused on the transition from the physical temple to the living temple of the Church—powered by the Holy Spirit. We saw how Acts 1 continues the story from Luke's Gospel, introducing a church on mission, fueled not by fear or self-effort but by supernatural empowerment. The message emphasized the vital role of corporate prayer and the Spirit's presence in giving boldness, clarity, and courage to proclaim Jesus. The bottom line is this: the mission of the Church is impossible apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

Discuss: What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “power of the Holy Spirit”? Does it feel exciting, mysterious, intimidating, or maybe a little unclear? Why do you think that is?

Discuss: What’s one part of Sunday’s message that stood out to you personally?

Read: Have a volunteer read Acts 1:4–8 aloud for the group.

Discuss: God could have made the Church’s mission something we could accomplish through hard work, strategy, or passion alone. But He didn’t—He made it impossible without the Holy Spirit. Why do you think He chose to do it that way?

Discuss: The message talked about how fear—our "amygdala response"—can mute our witness. In what ways do fear, insecurity, or past experiences make it hard for us to speak about our faith?

Discuss: Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict the world (John 16:8–11). How is the Spirit’s role in conviction different from how we often try to “convince” others of truth?

Discuss: Where in your life right now do you need boldness or clarity that only the Holy Spirit can provide? What would it look like to actually invite Him into that space this week?

Closing Application: One of the major applications from the message was a call to grow in corporate prayer. So we’re going to take some time and practice that together. Pray out loud as you feel led. You don’t need to be eloquent—just honest. After everyone who wants to share has prayed, I’ll close our time.
As you pray, feel free to lift up:
Immediate needs in your life or those around you
A desire for boldness, courage, or clarity
That God's mission would move forward through us—His Church, His temple