INTRODUCTION

In Hebrews 12, the writer compares two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai was the place where God gave His commands to Israel, and the people were warned that disobedience would bring judgment. The people of Israel heard God’s voice there, but many refused to trust and obey Him. As a result, they missed out on the life God wanted for them.

Through Jesus, believers today are no longer standing at Mount Sinai. We have come to Mount Zion, which represents grace, forgiveness, and a new relationship and covenant with God. Instead of trying to earn God’s love by being “good enough,” we are invited to trust in what Jesus has already done for us. Even though we are under grace, the warning still remains. Jesus declared that He is the only way to the Father and to reject Him is to reject His authority and our invitation to salvation.

This passage also points us to a future day when God will shake everything that can be shaken. Every earthly system, temporary comfort, and sinful foundation will eventually pass away. Only what belongs to Christ and His Kingdom will remain. Because we have received an unshakable Kingdom through Christ, our response should be gratitude and faithful living. We are called to worship God sincerely, serve others faithfully, and live in a way that reflects trust in Him. This week, take time to ask yourself: What in my life is temporary, and what is truly lasting?

GETTING STARTED

1. If you could instantly fix one small inconvenience in your daily life, what would it be?
2. Have you ever ignored advice or a warning and later realized it would have saved you trouble if you had listened?

INTRODUCTION

When the religious leaders asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come, they were expecting God to step in and completely change their situation. The Jewish people had spent years living under Roman rule, and they believed God would send the Messiah to defeat their enemies, restore peace, and establish a physical kingdom on earth. Since Jesus had not yet changed their situation in the way they expected, many questioned whether He could truly be the promised One.

Jesus responded by corrected their understanding of the Kingdom. He told them the Kingdom of God was not something people would be able to point to. Instead, the Kingdom was already among them because Jesus Himself was there. Jesus came to do more than simply fix eternal problems. He came to reconnect people to God by changing hearts and lives from the inside out. While many people were focused on changing their circumstances, Jesus was focused on changing them.

Many of us still think the same way today. We want God to quickly fix our problems, remove our pain, or make difficult situations disappear. When life stays hard, we may wonder where God is or if He is really working. Sometimes God’s work happens within us before it happens around us. He often uses difficult seasons to grow our faith, shape our character and teach us to trust Him more deeply.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently. This week, consider how your life reflects the rule and authority of Christ. Ask God to help you trust His promises, submit to His leadership, and represent His Kingdom well in your everyday life.

GETTING STARTED

1. If you could instantly fix one small inconvenience in your daily life, what would it be?
2. Have you ever waited for something exciting that ended up looking very different than you expected?

INTRODUCTION

There are moments in life when everything seems to be moving in the right direction – your faith feels steady, your relationships are improving, and you can see God at work. That is the kind of moment the early church was experiencing when sudden opposition arose. King Herod began persecuting believers, putting James to death and imprisoning Peter. Peter was placed under heavy guard, with no human way of escape. What was once a season of growth quickly became a moment of pressure, reminding us that spiritual opposition often shows up in the middle of spiritual progress.

Many of us have experienced our own version of this. It’s when you start getting consistent, finally gaining traction, and then resistance comes. What feels like disruption is often the enemy’s attempt to discourage and distract you, making you question whether the progress you were making was even real. Peter’s situation also reflects the moments in our lives when we feel stuck. Whether it’s a relationship, a habit, or a circumstance that feels beyond your control, it can seem like there’s no way forward. This passage reminds us that what looks impossible to us is not impossible for God. While Peter was imprisoned, the church responded with fervent, consistent prayer showing us that access to God is never limited by our circumstances.

Suddenly, God moved. An angel appeared, Peter’s chains fell off, and what seemed impossible became a testimony. So, our challenge is this: will we be discouraged by what we see or will we keep praying, keep trusting, and keep believing God? The same God who caused Peter’s chains to fall is still at work today. What feels like your place of limitation may become your next testimony. Don’t give up!

So the question is not whether God is at work, it’s whether we are willing to join Him. This week, ask God to show you any barriers in your heart and give you the courage to move toward someone you might normally avoid. The same grace that reached you is the same grace God wants to extend through you.

GETTING STARTED

1. What’s something small that recently didn’t go as planned, but you had to just roll with it?
2. What’s your go-to response when you feel stressed (talk it out, pray, find a distraction, etc.)?

INTRODUCTION

In Acts 10, we see a turning point in the early church. Peter, a devout Jew, is challenged in his understanding of who belongs to God. Through a vision and a clear leading from the Lord, Peter is sent to the home of Cornelius – a Roman centurion living in Caesarea. By cultural and political standards, Cornelius would have been seen as an outsider, even an enemy. Yet God was already at work in his life, preparing him to receive the message of Jesus.

At the same time, God was working on Peter. In a vision, God challenged Peter’s understanding of what was “clean” and “unclean,” showing him that he could no longer reject people based on old assumptions. When Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house, he says that God has shown him not to call anyone impure or unclean. This moment didn’t just change Peter’s thinking; it opened the door for the gospel to reach people he once would have avoided.

This story is not just about Peter and Cornelius, but it also speaks to us today. We still tend to sort people into categories. Some feel easy to welcome, while others make us uncomfortable. We may not say it out loud, but we can build quiet walls based on someone’s past, their lifestyle, or their difference. When we do that, we limit what God wants to do through us. The truth is, God is still drawing people from every background, and He often uses us to reach them.

So the question is not whether God is at work, it’s whether we are willing to join Him. This week, ask God to show you any barriers in your heart and give you the courage to move toward someone you might normally avoid. The same grace that reached you is the same grace God wants to extend through you.

GETTING STARTED

1. When you enter a new environment (church, job, neighborhood), what makes you feel welcomed or unwelcome?
2. Have you ever had a first impression of someone that turned out to be completely wrong? What changed your perspective?

INTRODUCTION

Acts 8:1-4 captures a pivotal and painful moment in the early church. Just before this passage, Stephen – a man full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit – was put to death for boldly proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ. His message confronted those who claimed to respect Scripture but rejected the Savior it pointed to. Instead of responding with repentance, the people responded with resistance, and a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. As a result, believers were forced to leave their homes and scatter throughout Judea and Samaria.

At first glance, this moment feels like a setback. The church is under attack, relationships are disrupted, and believers are displaced from the place they once called home. However, Scripture gives us a different perspective. The scattering of the church was not random; it was purposeful. While the enemy intended to destroy the church, God was strategically dispersing His people to expand the reach of the gospel. What looked like displacement was actually deployment.

This passage challenges how we interpret the difficult seasons in our own lives. Seasons of discomfort, separation, and unexpected change can feel like loss, but they may actually be God’s way of repositioning us for purpose. In those moments, it’s easy to assume that something has gone wrong, but what if God is using those very disruptions to move us into something greater?

Growth often requires movement, and movement often requires change. The challenge for us is not simply to endure difficult seasons, but to interpret them correctly. This passage shows us that those who were scattered did not retreat. They went about preaching the word. We must ask ourselves this question: will we allow hardship to silence us, or will we see it as an opportunity to live out and share our faith right where God has sent us?

GETTING STARTED

1. Do you tend to feel more comfortable staying in familiar environments, or are you someone who enjoys new spaces and change? Why?
2. What’s one way you’ve seen God show up in an unexpected place or moment recently?

INTRODUCTION

Acts 5:1-11 presents one of the most sobering moments in the early church. Just before this passage, believers were experiencing the power of Spirit-filled generosity. People freely sold their possessions and shared with anyone in need. In the middle of this culture of grace-filled generosity, Ananias and his wife Sapphira also sold a piece of property and brought some of the money to the apostles. The problem was not that they gave only part of the money. The problem was that they presented their gift as though it were the full amount. While appearing fully devoted, they secretly kept something back. Through the discernment of the Holy Spirit, Peter exposed their deception and made it clear that their lie was not simply against the church, but it was against God Himself.

This passage is about much more than money. It reveals the danger of pretending to be spiritually committed while our hearts are not truly surrendered. Hypocrisy within the church does real damage. People come to church looking for healing, hope, and truth. When they experience deception or hidden agendas, it can make trusting the church, and sometimes trusting God, more difficult.

The challenge for us is not whether we look committed, but whether our hearts are truly aligned with what we present to others. A healthy church is not built on image, talent, or spiritual appearance. It is built on authenticity – people who are honest before God and one another, allowing His grace to transform us from the inside out. May we be a congregation that makes the church a safe place, not a stage.

GETTING STARTED

1. What’s one thing that helps you feel welcomed when you enter a new place?
2. If you could describe a healthy community in one word, what word would you choose?

LET’S GET PERSONAL

1. Have you ever felt pressured to present a certain image to others?
2. Pastor Jonathan highlighted how hypocrisy can lead to church hurt. How have you seen inconsistency between belief and behavior affect people’s trust in the church?
3. What does it look like for a church to truly be a safe place for people who are seeking God?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

1. What is one area of your life where God may be inviting you to practice greater honesty or transparency?
2. As you close your time with your group, pray together and ask God to guard your hearts against the temptation to prioritize appearance over authenticity.
3. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Acts 5:1-11; Joshua 6:17-18; Ephesians 4:4; James 3:17; Matthew 15:7-8; Matthew 23:25; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; James 1:14-15.

RENEW YOUR MIND

‘But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?’
Acts 5:3

INTRODUCTION

What if the biggest difference between a life of routine and a life of impact is one moment of obedience? Acts 3:1-10 shows us more than a miracle. It shows us what happens when ordinary believers refuse to walk past an opportunity to serve in Jesus’s name. Peter and John were on their way to the temple during their normal prayer time. It was part of their daily rhythm. But while they were headed to worship, God placed an assignment right in front of them.

At the temple gate sat a man who had been paralyzed from birth. For over forty years, his life had been defined by limitation. He was near the temple, but he never entered it. He was close to the place that represented God’s presence, but he had not yet experienced transformation. Then, two good men showed up. Peter and John did not ignore the opportunity in front of them. Instead of giving him the money he was begging for, they gave him what they had – Jesus Christ.

That moment changed his life and opened the door for thousands to believe. This passage calls us to live on both sides of the miracle. We must be believers who seize opportunities to boldly speak the name of Jesus when the door opens. We must also be honest enough to admit when we are the lame man – sitting at the gate, close to God yet not fully walking in freedom. The question for us today is this: will we boldly speak the name of Jesus and faithfully live like we believe it?

GETTING STARTED

1. What is one routine you follow every week without thinking much about it?
2. Is there a small act of kindness from someone that has stuck with you over the years?

LET’S GET PERSONAL

1. Has there ever been a moment where you felt led to share your faith, but you didn’t? What stopped you?
2. Peter and John noticed the man instead of ignoring him. What distractions might be keeping you from seeing the needs around you?
3. Is there an area of your life where you feel like you are still sitting at the gate instead of walking in freedom? What might it look like for you to take a step of faith?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

1. Identify one routine in your spiritual life (church attendance, Bible reading, prayer). How can you approach it this week with intentionality?
2. As you close your time with your group, pray together and ask God to show you one person you each can intentionally encourage and share the Gospel with.
3. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Acts 3:1-10; Act 4:22; Acts 16:16-19; Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 5:37; Mark 14:33.

RENEW YOUR MIND

‘But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”’
Acts 3:6

INTRODUCTION

Opening an old photo album often stirs something deeper than nostalgia. Images of simple moments of life together remind us of a time when connection came easier and community felt closer. In Acts 2, God invites us to look at a different kind of photo album – the story of the first church. What we see is a group of believers who were devoted to four main things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. This picture is not just meant to inspire us. It is meant to show us how God designed the church to live.

Many people have experienced salvation, but not all have moved into living a fully devoted Christian life. When God’s people aren’t committed to practically living out their faith, it becomes hard to tell the difference between those who are simply attending church and those who are truly living as the church. The early church did not treat faith as something that only happened once a week. Their faith shaped how they lived every day. They learned God’s Word together. They shared meals and spent time together. Because of this, they experienced awe, joy, generosity, and unity. Needs were met, relationships were strong, and God continued to save people and add them to the church.

This passage challenges us to stop wishing for the “good old days” of the church and start living out God’s design today. The same practices still matter: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. God is calling us to be more than church attenders. He is calling us to be devoted followers who grow together and live out our faith every day.

GETTING STARTED

1. What’s your favorite memory from the “good old days” of your childhood?
2. When you think about “community,” what positive or negative experiences come to mind?

LET’S GET PERSONAL

1. Which of the devotions in Acts 2:42 (teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer) feels strongest in your life right now? Which feels weakest?
2. What fears, habits, or past experiences make it difficult for you to fully engage in Christian community?
3. In what ways has God used other believers to strengthen, correct, or encourage your faith?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

1. What is one way you can actively serve or support the church body in this season?
2. As you close your time with your group, pray together and ask God to deepen your devotion to His Word, strengthen your love for one another, and help you live out your faith with consistency.
3. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 12:13; Ephesians 2:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 3:29; 1 Timothy 4:13, 16; 2 Timothy 2:2; Hosea 4:6; 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 12:2; James 1:22; 1 John 1:3; Hebrews 10:24-25; Mark 6:34-37; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Matthew 18:20.

RENEW YOUR MIND

‘They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’
Acts 2:42

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever been so changed by an experience that people who’ve known you your whole life barely recognize you? That’s what happened on the Day of Pentecost. Ordinary men who had once been fearful and uncertain were suddenly bold and unashamed. The same Peter who denied knowing Jesus now stood in front of a crowd and spoke with authority. He did not speak under his own strength or courage; he spoke with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Though the influence of the Holy Spirit appeared strange to the crowd, it was actually the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. The last days had begun, and time was running out to respond to God’s grace. Peter used this opportunity, not to preach opinions or trends, but to preach Jesus Christ as the center of everything that God was doing. His message was urgent and clear: the Jesus you rejected is now seated at the right hand of God.

Peter’s sermon still speaks to us today. As believers, we too will become misunderstood by a world that cannot spiritually understand what God is doing. Friends, family, coworkers, and even followers on social media may think we’ve gone too far or become “too religious.” Yet, like Peter, we are called to stand firm, speak truth, and point others to Christ. The same Spirit who empowered Peter now lives in us. That means we are not only witnesses to what God has done; we are participants in what God is still doing.

GETTING STARTED

1. If someone asked you to describe your faith journey in one word, what word would you choose?
2. What words come to mind when you hear the phrase “power of the Holy Spirit”?

LET’S GET PERSONAL

1. Have you ever experienced a moment where your faith set you apart from others? How did it make you feel?
2. When you think about sharing your faith, do you feel more confident or more nervous? Why?
3. Peter boldly preached about Jesus even though he denied him in the past. How do past mistakes affect your willingness to speak about Christ?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

1. What is one area where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit instead of your own strength?
2. As you close your time with your group, pray together and ask God to give you more boldness and opportunities to share the Gospel this week.
3. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Acts 2:14-41; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Joel 2:28-32; John 18:17; Psalm 16:8-11.

RENEW YOUR MIND

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”
Acts 2:38

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever experienced a game where everything changed in a moment? Maybe you’ve witnessed a player step out onto the field, and it shifted the momentum of the game. Acts 2 records one of those defining moments in Scripture. God sent the ultimate Game Changer – the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Spirit was not random. It was predicted, prepared for, and fulfilled at the appointed time.

When God makes a promise, that day will come. He promised a Savior, and Jesus came. He promised resurrection, and the tomb was empty. He promised the Helper, and the Holy Spirit was sent. In the same way, God is faithful to fulfill the promises He has spoken over our lives. The disciples did not simply wait passively for the Holy Spirit. They obeyed Christ, gathered together, devoted themselves to prayer, and positioned themselves in expectation. Their waiting was active. Their posture was one of faith.

When the sound of a violent rushing wind filled the house, God’s presence moved from being primarily external to deeply personal. Fire that once rested on mountains now rested on people. God was no longer just giving commands from above. He was empowering His people from within. Pentecost changed the game forever. Today, believers are not called to strive in their own strength, but to live by the power of the Holy Spirit within them. The question is whether we are willing to believe, position ourselves, and play in the power He has provided.

GETTING STARTED

1. What’s your Super Bowl prediction – Seahawks or Patriots?
2. Have you ever experienced a season where everything seemed to change suddenly? What was that like?

LET’S GET PERSONAL

1. Why do you think it can be hard to trust that God’s promises will come to pass when we are in a waiting season?
2. In what areas of your life are you most tempted to rely on your own strength instead of God’s power?
3. What fears or doubts tend to keep you from fully believing God’s promises?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

1. What practical step can you take to deepen your dependence on the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
2. As you close your time with your group, pray together and ask God to strengthen your faith in His promises and give you patience and courage as you wait for His timing.
3. Want to dig deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Acts 2:1-6; Joel 2:25-29; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 37:14; John 16:7; Isaiah 42:16; John 7:39; Galatians 5:16; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; Revelation 7:9; John 15:26.

RENEW YOUR MIND

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
Acts 2:1-2