BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:
UNDERSTAND that the power of the Holy Ghost came as promised; APPRECIATE the value of living by faith; and COMMIT to a closer walk with God.Focal Verses: Acts 2:1-36
Keep in Mind:
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)AT-A-GLANCE
1.) Manifestation of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-3)2.) Filled with the Holy Ghost (vv. 4-5)
3.) Empowered by the Holy Ghost (vv. 6-12)
4.) Doubting the Holy Ghost (v. 13)
In Focus:
Today's lesson illustrates how the empowerment of Holy Ghost, at work in one faithful heart, can reach out to lost, hurting souls and unite a community.Background:
The celebration of Pentecost, as depicted in the New Testament (Acts 2:1-21), was prophesied in the Old Testament in Joel 2:28-32. The Day of Pentecost marked the beginning of the Christian church. The celebration united Jews from many nations; 16 are mentioned. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, the apostles, who were Galileans, preached the Gospel to the Jewish nations in their native languages.
Search the Scriptures:
1. What were the miraculous signs that indicated the presence of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:2-4)?
2. When they heard the apostles speaking in different languages, what were the reactions of the Jewish people (vv.6-7)
3. In attempt to explain away the miracle, what did the mockers in the crowds say about the apostles (v.13)?
Discuss the Meaning:
1.) Why do you think the Holy Ghost made such a grand entrance (Acts 2:2-3)?
2.) Do you think the miracle of tongues, on the Day of Pentecost, was in the apostles speaking in different languages or the Jews hearing the Gospel in their own languages (vv. 4-6)
3.) In what ways does the collaborative action under the anointing of the Holy Ghost fulfill the mission of the church? What Scriptures support your answer? Which way would you have done it and why?
Lesson in Our Society:
There are so many hurting people in today's world. Even saints of God can be overwhelmed when we see all the suffering. It would be easier to stick our heads in the sand and let someone else deal with it, and many people do just that.
One news story reported that a man was beaten by a group of young people after he'd witnessed them committing a crime. The man pulled in to a convenience store across the street. The group of kids, likely fearful that he was going to call the police, beat him, causing serious injury. There were witnesses to this violent attack, but no one did any thing. No one intervened. No one even called the police. The man crawled into his car and drove home and was later admitted to the hospital. No arrest were made.
How does the Holy Ghost empower us to come out of our comfort zones, and to reach out and help others? Does The Lord expect us to reach out? If you had witnessed the above crime what would you have done? Why?
Make it Happen:
When you look around our community, what do you see? Who is hurting, who needs help, and who needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you going to answer the Holy Ghost's call to action, or are you going to leave the burden for someone else?
(Excerpt from The Apostolic Light)
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FROM ACORNS TO OAK TREES:
SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTH
Be Still
"Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut!" Pastor Milton yelled as he dramatically waved his hands and shook his head with disappointment. The rehearsal seemed to go on forever. Nobody was getting his or her part right. All the players were frustrated with their delivery. "Let's come together. This is a mess," Pastor Milton said, cutting off the rehearsal. "We need to pray before we go further." All the kids circled him as they continued to chatter. "Be still as we come into the presence..." Pastor Milton started. Everyone became quiet and respectfully bowed their heads. He asked the Lord to bless the work they were trying to present so would glorify God, and he told the actors to begin again. There was a distinct energy in the room at that point. The lead players suddenly became more serious in their tone and delivery. The other players picked up the same spirit and delivered their lines seamlessly. When the part came where the people were touched by the Holy Spirit, the cast was visibly touched, and claim came over all they were doing.
At the end of rehearsal, Pastor Milton commended everyone on a great job. He knew tonight's presentation would be one that would touch the hearts of everyone in the audience. "Thank you, Holy Spirit," Pastor Milton's opening words as he prepared to speak to the cast after rehearsal. "I am so moved you opened your hearts to what the Lord wants to deliver through our presentation. You let the Holy Spirit guide your words and actions. Now, let's get our costumes on and go out and give the neighborhood the message God wants delivered through us."
As each cast member went forth, it was clear that what was once a big mess now something that glorified God. God was both present and pleased.
FIND THE WORD! Acts 2:1-13
In My Heart
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4)SIDEBAR
The term Pentecost is the Hellenistic name for the Hebrew Feast of Weeks and is described in Leviticus 23:15-21; it was instituted to show joy and thankfulness for God's blessing of the harvest. Our passage deals with the blessing of the coming of the Holy Spirit (mentioned in Acts 1:8) and the wonders of God and the Holy Spirit proclaimed in understandable language. The apostles were enabled to praise God in languages understood by the multilingual throngs. Breath, or wind, is a symbol of the Spirit of God (Ezekiel 37:9, 14; John 3:8). Humans tend to explain away biblical acts of God as natural phenomena.
HOW TO LIVE THANKFUL LIVES
Youth will realize that how they live their lives becomes a thank you to God.
1. Realize that God is already active and working in your life.
2. Pray and keep the faith. Prayer and faith can keep you steady.
3. Spread God's love to all people to build a strong walk with Christ.
JAM SESSION
We often face experiences that produce dramatic changes in our lives. How can positive, lasting change be initiated? The Holy Spirit provides life-transforming power. The cast members were preparing a presentation, but they were not ready to present. The pastor prayed and called on the Holy Spirit, which allowed God's power to doe miraculous and life-changing things through the cast. It took them by surprise, and they realized it was not because of their own efforts. Being encouraged in knowing that the revelation of the Holy Spirit is God's act and not the result of human effort expresses willingness to live by faith and to have a closer walk with God.
JAM ON IT!
Holy Spirit in Your Life
Have your been filled with the Holy Ghost? If not, what do you know about the Spirit? Share specific was they Holy Spirit works in our lives. Share your thoughts with the class next week.
Keep on believing! Change happens.
(Excerpt from The Apostolic Light)
I think we the Holy Ghost is the most underused part our life. He comes to give us total victory over any and all of our situations. There is no force on earth that is able to defeat him, yet, we are constantly being defeated by our enemy Satan. All we need to do is to allow the Holy Ghost to have complete control. Now that I think of it, that is the problem, I am not sure we want to give up control.
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