Monday, October 19, 2015

The Holy Spirit Unleashed in You Online Bible Study | Week 10

The Holy Spirit Unleashed in You Online Bible Study | Week 10

The Holy Spirit Unleashed in You Online Bible Study | Week 10

Posted: 18 Oct 2015 08:12 PM PDT

Welcome back to our online Inductive Bible Study as we wrap up our final study on the book of Acts, “The Holy Spirit Unleashed in You” at the Women's Bible Cafe™. We just completed Week Twelve, “Unleashed for Obedience” and Week Thirteen, “His Witness–By His Spirit!” Our next Inductive Bible study will begin in January, which will be announced a month before we begin. If you have fallen behind in your study of Acts, this will be a good time to catch up on your lessons.

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We are in the throes of football season! Have you ever noticed that during college football season, passion is on display every weekend? Everywhere I turn, I see fans proudly displaying their favorite team’s logo. I hear people speak excitedly in grocery store lines about certain plays. Passion is a powerful driving force, because when we are passionate about something, we have no trouble speaking with boldness. This reminded me of Paul and how passionate he was spreading the Gospel. We continued to see his boldness in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, even at the very end of our study when he landed in Caesar’s court where he is on trial for proclaiming the Gospel.

“If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Acts 25:11 NASB

Did you notice Paul’s tone? He could be sentenced to death, but because of his passion and the purpose he believes so strongly in, he was even willing to face death. What an incredible boldness he possessed, and it was his passion for Jesus Christ that kept him moving forward without fear. Paul knew he had nothing to lose in his present life, but had everything to gain in the eternity that Jesus Christ offers. Not once did we see Paul back down and beg for his life, but instead he continued to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ even in the face of death. Acts ends with Paul’s continued proclamation of the Kingdom of God:

“And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Acts 28:30-31 NASB

God accomplished His purpose in Paul’s life because Paul said “yes” to God. We can also claim that same driving passion of Paul by saying “yes” to God. All we have to do is surrender everything to God and say to Him with confidence, “yes, Lord, count me in.”

Kay Arthur writes in the final Thought for the Week:

“The book of Acts ends with Acts 28:31, and yet it continues with us, you and me, “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered”—unhindered by anyone but ourselves.”

ASSIGNMENT FOR THE WEEK:

  • Join a small group and fellowship with your fellow Bible students.
  • Store in your heart Acts 28:27

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK (answer in small groups or post a comment here)

  1. How can you display passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your life?
  2. If placed on trial for Christian beliefs, what kind of verdict would you face? What kind of testimony could you give for yourself?
  3. Have you ever listened to the wrong people and made a wrong decision you regretted? How has God been faithful to you in spite of that decision?
  4. What desires has God put in you? What is your next step to be faithful to what God has asked you to do?
  5. What has been the most significant personal lesson you have gleaned from this study of Acts?

Congratulations on completing your study of Acts, “The Holy Spirit Unleashed in You.”

Many blessings,

Sheree Poole
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