Spirited Study 3 - Hungry for the Holy Spirit
What is something valuable that people are willing to spend a lot of money, time, or effort to obtain?
Read Acts 8:4-8
The gospel is not just information about Jesus. Throughout Acts, the gospel comes with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. People's lives, relationships, and communities are changed.
Read Acts 8:9-13, 18-24
Simon's problem was not that he wanted the power of God. His problem was that he wanted to possess it, control it, and use it for himself. Yet there is something challenging about Simon's hunger. He saw the work of the Holy Spirit and immediately recognised its value.
Read Acts 8:14-17
Throughout Acts, people repeatedly experience the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. God invites us to live dependent upon His Spirit. The question is are willing to seek Him, surrender to Him, and be open to His work?
Application
Which of these best describes you right now?
What would it look like to take one step toward greater openness to the Holy Spirit this week?
Read Acts 8:4-8
- What evidence of God's power do you see in this passage?
- What impact did God's work have on the people of Samaria?
- Verse 8 says, "There was great joy in that city." Why do you think joy was the result?
The gospel is not just information about Jesus. Throughout Acts, the gospel comes with the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. People's lives, relationships, and communities are changed.
Read Acts 8:9-13, 18-24
- Why do you think Simon wanted this power so badly?
- What was wrong with Simon's motives?
- Is it possible to desire spiritual experiences for the wrong reasons today?
Simon's problem was not that he wanted the power of God. His problem was that he wanted to possess it, control it, and use it for himself. Yet there is something challenging about Simon's hunger. He saw the work of the Holy Spirit and immediately recognised its value.
Read Acts 8:14-17
- What surprises you about this passage?
- What does this tell us about the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers?
- Do you think many Christians are open to God doing more in their lives? Why or why not?
- What might it look like for you personally to be more open to the Holy Spirit?
Throughout Acts, people repeatedly experience the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. God invites us to live dependent upon His Spirit. The question is are willing to seek Him, surrender to Him, and be open to His work?
Application
Which of these best describes you right now?
- Curious about the Holy Spirit.
- Open, but cautious.
- Hungry for more of God's presence and power.
- Comfortable with where things are.
What would it look like to take one step toward greater openness to the Holy Spirit this week?
Spirited Study 2 - The Spirit Motivates Courageously
ASK: When you hear the words Holy Spirit, what comes to mind?
Read Together
Acts 2:1–13 and Acts 4:23–31
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Before Jesus sent His followers into the world, He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, God fulfils that promise. The Holy Spirit is not a force or a feeling. He is God's personal presence with His people.
The Spirit:
Discussion Questions
1. In Acts 4, Peter and John have been threatened for speaking about Jesus. The believers gather to pray. Notice what they don't pray for.
They don't pray for safety or an easier life. They pray for boldness. How does God respond?
God responds by filling them with the Holy Spirit and empowering them to continue His mission.
Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing faithfulness when fear is present.
The Spirit gives ordinary people courage to take the next step of obedience.
2. In Acts 4, why do you think the believers prayed for boldness rather than safety? N.T. Wright writes: "The point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into all the world the news that Jesus is Lord." The Spirit is not given simply for our comfort or experience, but to empower us to participate in God's mission.
3. Where do you see the difference between self-confidence and Spirit-empowered courage?
4. Where might God be inviting you to take a courageous step of obedience right now?
Challenge
This week, ask: "What would courage look like if I genuinely believed the Holy Spirit was with me?"
Identify one practical step of obedience and take it this week.
Read Together
Acts 2:1–13 and Acts 4:23–31
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Before Jesus sent His followers into the world, He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, God fulfils that promise. The Holy Spirit is not a force or a feeling. He is God's personal presence with His people.
The Spirit:
- Reveals Jesus.
- Empowers God's people.
- Creates God's family.
- Sends God's people into God's mission.
Discussion Questions
1. In Acts 4, Peter and John have been threatened for speaking about Jesus. The believers gather to pray. Notice what they don't pray for.
They don't pray for safety or an easier life. They pray for boldness. How does God respond?
God responds by filling them with the Holy Spirit and empowering them to continue His mission.
Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing faithfulness when fear is present.
The Spirit gives ordinary people courage to take the next step of obedience.
2. In Acts 4, why do you think the believers prayed for boldness rather than safety? N.T. Wright writes: "The point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into all the world the news that Jesus is Lord." The Spirit is not given simply for our comfort or experience, but to empower us to participate in God's mission.
3. Where do you see the difference between self-confidence and Spirit-empowered courage?
4. Where might God be inviting you to take a courageous step of obedience right now?
Challenge
This week, ask: "What would courage look like if I genuinely believed the Holy Spirit was with me?"
Identify one practical step of obedience and take it this week.
Spirited Study 1- Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the living presence of God, empowering ordinary people to continue the mission of Jesus in the world.
Read
In Acts, the Holy Spirit is not presented as a private spiritual add-on.
The Spirit:
Pentecost is the moment God fills ordinary people with his presence so they can become a visible sign of his kingdom in the world.
The church becomes less about a building people attend and more about a people sent.
Discussion Questions
Call to Action
This week, invite the Holy Spirit to make you available for the mission of Jesus.
Ask each day:
Look for one opportunity this week to:
The Spirit is not only given for church gatherings. The Spirit is given so the life of Jesus can overflow into everyday life.
Read
- Acts 1:4–8
- Acts 2:1–12
- Acts 2:42–47
In Acts, the Holy Spirit is not presented as a private spiritual add-on.
The Spirit:
- empowers witness
- forms community
- creates courage
- breaks down barriers
- reveals Jesus as Lord
- launches the church into mission
Pentecost is the moment God fills ordinary people with his presence so they can become a visible sign of his kingdom in the world.
The church becomes less about a building people attend and more about a people sent.
Discussion Questions
- What stands out to you most about the Holy Spirit in Acts 1–2?
- Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Spirit before going on mission?
- What kind of “power” does the Spirit seem to give?
- How does the Spirit shape the way this new community lives together in Acts 2?
- What might it look like for you to live more intentionally as someone empowered by the Spirit this week?
Call to Action
This week, invite the Holy Spirit to make you available for the mission of Jesus.
Ask each day:
- Who can I encourage?
- Where can I bring peace?
- How can I make Jesus visible in my world?
Look for one opportunity this week to:
- pray with someone
- show radical generosity
- share your story
- serve someone quietly
- step courageously into a conversation you would normally avoid
The Spirit is not only given for church gatherings. The Spirit is given so the life of Jesus can overflow into everyday life.