St. Philip's Episcopal : Acts of the Holy Spirit

Acts of the Holy Spirit Syllabus

Class Description:
The objective of this class is to understand who the Holy Spirit is and how the Holy Spirit is still at work in our lives today. Utilizing the book of Acts, we will walk through the early days of the church and identify where the Holy Spirit was actively involved. We will also discuss ways to recognize the Holy Spirit in our individual lives and live out the Great Commission in the present day.

Learning Goals:
• Recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit as fulfillment of prophecy.
• Understand how the Holy Spirit was key in the formation of the early church.
• Understand how the Holy Spirit worked through the people to change the world.
• Be able to recognize and articulate how the Holy Spirit is at work in our individual lives to change the world.
• Follow the Holy Sprit’s lead and behave accordingly.

Class Location: Narthex
Times: Thursdays, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Requirements: Bible, pen and class notebook

Schedule of Classes:
Feb. 21 The Promise of the Holy Spirit

Feb. 28 Peter – Transformation of a Man

March 3 Paul – Transformation of Me

March 13 You will Receive Power

March 20 Holy Week – No Class

March 27 Transformation of the World

Acts of the Holy Spirit
The Promise of the Holy Spirit

I. Where do the Gospels end?

II. The Holy Spirit wasn’t a surprise!

III. What do we know about the Holy Spirit?

IV. Arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Homework: Please read Acts Chapters 1-12

Systematic Theology Worksheet

Category Name: The Holy Spirit

Key Question: What did Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit?

Key Bible References:

Reference & What’s it say about the question?

John 14:15-18 _________________________

John 14:26 ____________________________

John 15:26-27 _________________________

John 16:7-11 __________________________

John 16:12-13 _________________________

What’s the Creed say?

What do I believe?

Acts of the Holy Spirit
Peter ~ Transformation of a Man

I. A Changed Man

Speaking
Healing
Faith/Commitment
Guidance

II. Changes the World

Persecuted

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Scattered

Jerusalem (Judea)
Samaria
Lydda & Joppa
Caesarea
Jerusalem

Homework: Read Acts Ch 13-28

What else does the Bible tell us about Peter?

1) Matthew 16:18 ________________

2) Matthew 16:17 ________________

3) Mark 1:30 ____________________

4) John 1:44 _____________________

5) Mark 1:21, 29 _________________

6) Mark 14:70 ___________________

7) Acts 4:13 ____________________

8) John 1:35-42 __________________

Missionary Journeys
of the Apostle Peter

Taken from Acts 9:31 – 10:48
Then the church throughout Judea [1], Galilee [2] and Samaria [3] enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

9:32-34 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda [4]. There he found a man named Aenaes, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. “Aenaes,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and (the Plain of) Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

9:36 In Joppa [6] there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. (Tabitha was also healed)

10:1-22 In Caesarea [7] there was a man named Cornelius, a (Gentile ) centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. (He is told by an angel to send for Peter, who still in Joppa receives a vision showing that Christ is for all men – Jew and Gentile. Peter welcomes Cornelius’ messengers…)

10:23-48 The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. (Peter teaches Cornelius, his family and friends about Jesus, they receive the Holy Spirit, and he baptizes them.)

11:1-4 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem [8], the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened.

Acts of the Holy Spirit
Paul ~ Transformation of Me
Week Three of Five

Paul’s life before he met Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:4-11

Circumstances surrounding Paul’s salvation.
Acts 26:12-18

Changes that occurred in Paul’s life.
Acts 26:19-23

Conversion of Paul
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. Acts 7:59 - 8:1

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6

“I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”Acts 20:23-24

Acts of the Holy Spirit
Paul ~ Transformation of Me
Week Three of Five

My Story

To help prime the pump, your “story” might fit into one of these categories:

1. Salvation: This is the story of how Jesus rescued you from sin and brought you into a loving relationship with the Father.

2. Victory over Sin: Confess a sin or lifestyle that was keeping you from having an intimate relationship with God and tell how the Lord gave you victory in that area of your life and the result it has had in your life.

3. God’s Answer to Prayer: Share your testimony of how God was faithful in a time of need in answer to prayer.

4. Lordship of Christ: In order for Christ to be Lord of our lives, every area must be surrendered to Him. Share how the Lord has led you to follow Him completely and give your whole life to Him. Testify to the faithfulness God displayed when you allowed Him to be in control.

5. Witnessing: Share about stepping out in faith to be a witness for Jesus. It may be an experience of leading someone to Christ and the joy it brought to see this person come into God’s family.

6. Recommitment to Christ: Always known Christ, strayed, came back. Share the story of how this happened and what Jesus had done in your life since.

Outlining your Testimony

“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

Every Christian has a story to tell. Your testimony is the story of how Jesus has touched your life. This exercise is designed to assist you in developing that story so that you will be ready whenever the opportunity arises to share Jesus.

A. Explain the need that you felt for Jesus. What was the void in your life that only God could fill? Share about personal needs in your life that led you to seek Jesus.

B. Share what Jesus did in your life. Describe how the Lord met your need.

C. Tell about the reality of Jesus in your life now. Share how your life is different because of Jesus and the benefits you have realized from following Him.

Bumper Sticker Version (If you had to sum it up in a word or two.)

My life before Jesus ________________________

My life after Jesus__________________________

Acts of the Holy Spirit
Week 4: Fruit and Gifts

I. Holy Spirit Job Description

A. Everybody has a ROLE

Born of the Spirit John 3:5-8

Filled with the Spirit Acts 2:4

II. Fruits of the Spirit:

A. Sanctification: “The ongoing work of making me HOLY”

B. Galatians 5:22-23

1. _______________,
2. _______________,
3. _______________,
4. _______________,
5. _______________,
6. _______________,
7. _______________,
8. _______________,
9. _______________

C. “The Fruit of the Spirit is….”
The Fruit of …

1.

2.

3.

the Spirit is …

1.

2.

3.

III. Gifts of the Spirit

A. Small Group Time “Gifts Worksheet”

B. Where do they come from?

C. Who gets them?

D. Why are they given?

E. Which ones do you want?

Acts of the Holy Spirit
Week 4: Gifts Worksheet

Read the following passages and make a list of the “Gifts” mentioned in the passage.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Romans 12:3-8

Ephesians 4:7-13

1 Peter 4:10-11

Now answer the following questions:

1. Where do the Gifts come from? Cite verses that support your answer.

2. Who gets them? Cite verses that support your answer.

3. Why are they given? Cite verses that support your answer.

Acts of the Holy Spirit
“Being Filled”
Week five of five

I. The Holy Spirit In Me?

A. You Have the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:3

B. But are you “filled” with the Holy Spirit?

II. What Does That Look Like?

A. Small Group Study

Acts 2:1-4
Acts 4:8-12
Acts 4:29-31
Acts 9:17-19
Acts 13:6-12
Acts 19:1-6
B. Conclusions about “being filled”

III. How Can I Be Filled With the Holy Spirit?

A. It is an ongoing Command: Ephesians 5:18

B. It is ours for the asking: Luke 11:9-13

Acts "Filled" Worksheet

Acts 2:1-4
Who is filled?

Have they been filled before?

What challenge is being faced? Or opportunity?