Sent with the Spirit of God
Acts 2:1–13
Within Mark 8:27–10:45, Jesus both called and taught people to follow him. This has often been called “the discipleship section” of Mark’s gospel. At the beginning and end of his teaching, Jesus healed two blind men.
- Imagine being with the group in Acts 2:1–2. Describe what you would have felt as you were waiting in obedience to Jesus’ command in Acts 1:4–5.
- The first “Pentecost,” taking place 50 days after Israel was rescued from Egypt, was celebrated as the birthday of the nation of Israel. Read how it was described in Exodus 19:17–19. Compare that with Acts 2:2–4. In what ways might this be a new “birthday”?
- In Exodus 19, only Moses came into contact with the fire of God. What is different about Acts 2:3–4?
- In Genesis 11, the world had once had one language. The effect of human arrogance led to God’s confusing people with different languages. Rabbis taught that Messiah would reverse the impact of Babel so that people could be one again. With that in mind, describe what happened in Acts 2:5–12. What does this teach us about what the church is to be?
- Go back and reflect on Jesus’ commanding the people to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Was this a poor stewardship of time? Would we tend to criticize them for waiting? What do we learn about active waiting on the Lord?
- What is the main lesson you hope to apply to your life from Acts 2:1–13?
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