GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
TEACHING RECAP
Summary: Acts isn’t just ancient history—it’s the beginning of the church, the ongoing work of Jesus through his people, empowered by his Spirit. Jesus didn’t stop working when he ascended; he expanded his ministry through the church. He calls ordinary believers to receive power, bear witness, and move outward—from where they are to the ends of the earth. And it all starts in a surprisingly simple place: people gathered together in prayer, ready to get to work.
Main Points:
Acts is a history, a handbook and an invitation.
Acts describes the continuing ministry of Jesus through his church.
Acts begins where the gospels end—with Jesus’ commission and ascension.
Acts calls us into Jesus’ ministry and identifies the simple place to start.
On-Ramps:
Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
Allow Acts to challenge you.
Start where Acts starts: with people and prayer.
Expect power and pushback.
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
What’s an “it’s so good to play again” moment you’ve experienced recently—something that reminded you how meaningful it is to be engaged in the opportunities life offers? How does the opening of the book of Acts remind us that our faith is also meant to be actively lived, not passively observed?
The church in the book of Acts isn’t the “perfect” church—but it is the real church. As you think about the different local churches you’ve been part of, have you experienced the real church - full of beauty, messiness, and faithfulness as human people do their best to follow God together? Share a “real church” memory or experience you’ve had with the others in your group.
What did the church in Acts seem to get right that we may be missing in the church today? Conversely, what did they get wrong—or struggle with—that we can learn from?
Acts shows us that we are not called to live out Christ’s mission alone, but that we are invited to share together in the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Where do you sense this shared call shaping or challenging your life right now, particularly as you think about participating in God’s mission and sharing the Gospel?
How do you want to respond to this passage in your daily life?
PRAYER
How can we pray for you as a group?
Next week: Acts 2:1–41
