Community Group Guide
> Why We Gather
At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.
> Give Thanks
Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.
> Scripture Reading
Have someone read Acts 1:3-11.
> Discussion Questions
What kind of power does Jesus give?
After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples over 40 days, he taught them more about the kingdom of God and instructed them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit (vs 5,8). Some of the disciples then asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel at that time (vs 6). It seems they were thinking about Israel becoming an independent kingdom, with Jesus as king and Rome kicked out. This was an earthly view of kingdom and power. [Have someone read Luke 17:20-21.] Notice Jesus talked about the kingdom differently than an earthly kingdom. This is because God’s kingdom is not an earthly control of land, but God’s rule and reign operating in people’s hearts. The disciples were asking about earthly power. Jesus instead offered them spiritual power to be his witnesses (vs 8). God would make his home in human hearts, to transform them to reflect Jesus in the world.
Reflection Question: How do you experience the Kingdom of God in our midst in your daily life? How do you understand that the Holy Spirit brings the Kingdom of God in our hearts?
What kind of victory does Jesus win?
The difference between earthly power and Holy Spirit power reflects another difference in earthly kingdoms and God’s kingdom. Just a few weeks before these events, the disciples thought that Jesus had failed in his mission when he was crucified. Jesus’ enemies similarly though they had defeated him when he was crucified and buried. None of them could imagine that dying a torturous and shameful death would be the way that God would win victory. Jesus defeated sin and death by enduring them himself. Jesus won victory over the religious and political forces not by showing more power, but by yielding his life in self-giving love. Jesus calls his disciples to imitate him in this. Christians are to seek lives of service and self-giving love, not lives seeking power over others.
Reflection Question: How are you tempted to seek earthly comfort or power? How is God calling you to imitate Jesus in service and self-giving love for others?
What kind of arrival will Jesus have when he returns?
In our story in Acts, Jesus returned to heaven and the angels promised that Jesus would eventually come back again. Jesus alluded to this reality when he called himself the “Son of Man.” This was a phrase used by the prophet Daniel to refer to a coming king, the Messiah. [Have someone read Daniel 7:13-14.] This passage describes how Jesus will come back to rule the nations and all people will serve him. At that time, God’s kingdom will come on earth in a new way. Jesus will return in power, not in weakness. Christians are invited to look forward to that time when Jesus will come back to bring justice and harmony on earth. As the book of Revelation tells us, we should pray “Come, Lord Jesus.” In the meantime, we are to live the life of that kingdom empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection Question: What helps you long for Jesus to return? How do you want to pray this week that you could live more in Jesus’ kingdom instead of in the world’s kingdom?
> Confession and Prayer
Reflect and Pray: As we sit with this passage, ask God to bring to mind anything you need to confess or need prayer for. Take a moment to share and pray for one another. Feel free to split up into pairs depending on the group size.