Acts 2:1-13 - The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13 - The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1. If you could speak another language fluently, which one would you choose? Why?

2. What was celebrated on the day of Pentecost? (2:1)

3. What did the followers of Christ hear and see? (2:2-3)

4. What was the importance of the wind and fire? (2:2-4)

5. Who was staying in Jerusalem? (2:5)

6. How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem react when they heard Christians speaking their languages? (2:6-11)

7. What was the topic of conversation among the crowds? (2:11)

8. Besides being amazed, how did the crowd react to the unusual happening they witnessed? (2:12-13)
9. Why is the coming of the Spirit associated with wind, fire, and different languages?

10. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

11. How could your church benefit from greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?

12. How can we cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?

13. What can you do each day to invite the Holy Spirit to use you?

Fun ideas for eating together

Sharing a meal together helps people socailize in a casual way and gives them time to build relationships in a casual and unhurried atmosphere. It's also a great way for group small group members and their whole family to be involved. Keep it simple and have fun.
Some suggestions-
1. Pot luck dinner ( easy to organise and fun because no-one knows what anyone else will bring).
2. Fish & Chips at the beach or favourite park.
3. International food night )Mexican, Italian, Chinese...) Everyone brings a different dish to share.
4. Dessert and coffee night (simple and very yummy).
5. Pink Night ( or green etc...) Pick a theme colour. Pink tablecloth, pink drinks, everyone wears pink, strawberry ice-cream. etc... Get the children involved with ideas.
6. Celebrate a Passover meal together.
7. Make your own pizzas and play some board games together.
8. Progressive dinner. (Eat at the homes of different group members for different courses).
9. Choose a special occasion to celebrate. (Someone's birthday, graduation, public holiday...)
10. Invite another small group to share a meal together.
11. Have a BBQ and each person brings a neigbour or friend.
These ideas are just for starters. Why not talk about as a group and plan an " eating together" night soon?

Luke 12:13-21 - Eat, Drink and be Merry

Luke 12:13-21 - Eat, Drink and be Merry

1. Over what did you and your siblings fight when you were growing up?

2. Against what did Jesus warn the crowd? Why? (12:13-15)

3. What was the rich man's dilemma in the parable? (12:16-17)

4. What did the man decide to do about his bumper crop? (12:18)

5. How did the rich man view his possessions and good fortune? (12:19)

6. What would become of the man's abundance? (12:20)

7. To whom did Jesus apply His teaching about greed? (12:21)

8. What signs of greed can show up in a person's life?

9. What parts of the parable make you uncomfortable?

10. How is it possible to be rich toward God?

11. With which of your possessions do you want to be more generous? How can you?

Luke 12:1-12 Safe Forever

Luke 12:1-12 - Safe Forever

1. What individuals or groups are most feared in our society?

2. What was the crowd like? (12:1)

3. What contrasts did Jesus use to prepare the disciples for the future? (12:2-3)

4. What did Jesus say His disciples should and should not fear? (12:4-5)

5. What proofs of God's care did Jesus offer to His disciples? (12:6-7)

6. How was the disciples' loyalty to Jesus linked to Jesus' loyalty to them? (12:8-9)

7. What was to happen to those who speak against the Son of Man? (12:10)

8. How much were the disciples to prepare for their encounters with religious and political authorities? (12:11)

9. How does the possibility of persecution make you feel?

10. What does the imagery about the sparrows and hairs say to us?

11. What situations tempt people not to acknowledge Jesus before others?

12. What is it about blaspheming against the Holy Spirit that makes it unforgivable?

13. How can you pray for those who suffer for their relationship with God?

James 5:13-20 How To Pray About Your Problems

How To Pray About Your Problems
James 5:13-20
1. What are some of the most memorable moments of your life?

2. What should a person do when he or she is in trouble? Why? (5:13, 15)

3. What should a person do when he or she is happy? Why? (5:13, 15)

4. Why is prayer important? (5:15)

5. What are the elders of the church to do for someone who is sick? Why? (5:14-15)

6. How can a person have his or her sins forgiven? (5:15)

7. What is the effect of a righteous person's prayers? (5:16)

8. Who is a good example of how God answers prayer? How? (5:17-18)

9. What is a Christian's responsibility toward a fellow believer who has wandered away from the truth? (5:19)

10. What is the benefit of helping a person get back into following the truth? (5:20)

11. What hinders Christians from praying with confidence?

12. What hinders Christians from confessing sins and praying for each other?

13. Whom do you know who has been drifting away from the Lord and who needs an encouraging word from you this week?

Wealth & Poverty Reflection

Read an excellent paper titled " The Simple Life? Affluent-culture Christians and a biblical and systematic reflection on the theology of wealth" written by Rev Wei-Han Kuan which explores the issue of wealth and poverty. This article was originally published as a Zadoc special paper.

The paper provides helpful background for the small group study on James 5:1-6, "How To Be Wise With Your Wealth." found on this site.

How To Develop Patience

How To Develop Patience

James 5: 7-12

1. What kinds of experiences try your patience?

2. How can you tell if a person is telling the truth or making a promise that he she will keep?

3. What do we need to do as we wait for the Lord's return to earth? (5:7)

4. What will happen to Christians who grumble against their fellow believers? (5:9)

5. What people serve as good examples to us? How? (5:10-11)

6. What warning did James give concerning swearing? (5:12)

7. How does God use others to build patience in our lives?

8. What makes it hard to wait on God's timing?

9. What blessing or reward came to you for suffering as a Christian?

10. For what kinds of reasons do Christians judge each other?

11. What steps will you take this week to avoid judging others in your home? workplace? church?

5 Prayer Ideas For Small Groups

1. Chain Prayers : Make a circle sitting or standing and join hands. Each person prays and when they have finished they squeeze the hand of the person next to them to start. Silent chains are the same except everyone prays silently.
2. Word Bomb Prayers: After a short time of preparation offer prayers for praise, adoration and thanksgiving. People say at random words and short phrases. Eg. Jesus, Thanks, You are here. I love you Lord... For intercession, mention a person's name or a situation and others pray silently.
3. Prayer emails: Each person comes with a prepared printed prayer written in an email or texting form. Exchange the emails or texts and then pray about the request.
4. Prayer Mountains: Give each person a mountain-shaped card. Explain to the group they are to write on it a 'mountain' they are facing at the moment. When they have finished the leader collects the cards, shuffles and distributes them. Silently each person reads the other person's prayer and prays that God will help with the situation. Then each card is read out pausing after each for quiet prayer. See Matthew 17.20.
5. News Prayers: This approach is used mainly for intercession. People are divided into groups and given newspapers. They look through them underlining or circling main points. Each group then presents their prayer points to everyone which then form the basis for prayer.