Series: The Mvmnt 
Message: The Holy Spirit at Pentecost 
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira 
Reflection: Japhet De Oliveira 
Live Wonder: Zan Long 
Live Adventure: Zan Long 
Live Purpose: Jessyka Albert 
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin today in prayer. Ask God for understanding through the Holy Spirit and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Acts 1:12 - 2:21 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: As you read the passage for the first time this week, can you imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to regroup in that upper room? It was probably the same upper room in which they had previously received the news that Jesus was alive. Probably the same place in which Jesus had recently appeared to them and where Thomas felt His scars. This was the room to which they returned after Jesus promised them the power of the Holy Spirit before ascending into Heaven. He promised to give them power that would transform their lives. 

We have to thank Luke not only for penning the Gospel of Luke (as volume 1), but also for penning Acts (as volume 2). The seamless nature of the narrative of these two books was critical both to Luke and to the local leadership of the early Church. It was important to them that the story of Jesus would be continued. It is clear that the foundation for our mission as a church today has links to this story also. Perhaps this is why Peter stood up in and challenged all the followers to restore the leadership as it had been established by Jesus—adding an extra disciple to make up for the one they had lost (Acts 1:15ff*).

Hiring the right person is always one of the most important decisions you make. You can’t spend enough time processing and reflecting on this. Choosing people is hard. Being chosen or being rejected is just as hard. This is true no matter what phase of life you are in. You may recall being six or seven years old and having friendships start and end on the same day. You might remember what it was like as a teenager when friendships were life and death to you. Imagine how hard it would have been for Peter and for the disciples to choose a leader. Their criteria (Acts 1:21–22) required that they focus on those who had known Jesus personally from His baptism through to His ascension. They did not want someone who had heard the story second hand, but someone who could serve as a firsthand witness. The story had to continue from an authentic encounter. I wonder if we have given ourselves the space to find the start of our own stories. Do we sense that we are continuing the story of Jesus—and that it is birthed from experience of Him and knowledge founded in Him?

*ff means “and following.”

Recalibrate: Who would you trust to lead a close friend to faith?

Respond: Pray for a heart that follows Jesus.

Research: They cast lots to choose Matthias (Acts 2). Why did that method end?

Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose

Play a game of peek-a-boo as a reminder that it’s always exciting to open our eyes and see a friendly face. Keeping our eyes on Jesus makes us happy! Pray, “May I only have eyes for you, Jesus.”

Have you ever played the game of follow the leader? Are you good at it? What do you need to be a good follower? When Jesus was here on earth  He was the leader and the disciples followed him. The disciples still followed Jesus, even after He went back to heaven.  What they had seen and experienced with Jesus had forever changed how they played the game of life.

We’re told in chapter 2 that the Holy Spirit came when they were all together in once place. Think about the times and places you like to be together with people. Maybe it’s at the dinner table, school, practice, or church. Why do you like to be with people at those times?