The Promise of the Father: Bible Study

In our house fellowship we have been studying the book of Joel. This week we were on Joel 2:28-32, so I decided to compare this passage with what happened on Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. Here's the study questions as well as some further discussion questions. Inspiration from Peter Wagner's Acts of the Holy Spirit. Email me if you'd like the two page worksheet or the answers.


1) Joel 2:28-32 – What does God promise?


2) Acts 1 – The Lead up to Pentecost

a.) After Jesus ascended, what were the disciples to do?
b.) What did Jesus promise them?
c.) Why did they need it?
d.) Were they “better off without Jesus?” (John 16:7)
e.) How long would this waiting period be?


3) Acts 2 – Pentecost

a.) What is Pentecost?
b.) What had the disciples been doing between Passover and Pentecost?
c.) Do you think there is any significance or strategy to God choosing this day to send the power of the Spirit?
d.) What were the visible signs of the invisible spirit?
e.) What does God use fire for in the Old Testament? Can you think of any examples?
f.) Who was present when the disciples started speaking?
g.) Can you break these people into different categories? In which category did the disciples fit?
h.) In your culture, who could you compare the disciples to?
i.) Is it significant that people hear God’s message in their own languages?
j.) How does this compare to other religions?
k.) How did the people present react?
l.) In Peter’s speech, what are his main points?
m.) What are the characteristics of the “last days”?
n.) What is the two-part action plan Peter gives to those who are “cut to the heart”?
o.) How many people came to faith that day?

4) Discussion Points
a)What parts, if any, of Joel’s prophecy were fulfilled or partially fulfilled on Pentecost?

b) What do you think the “last days” refers to?

c) Do the characteristics of the last days seem common in your church experience?

d) Did they seem common in the experience of the early church?

e) How do prophecy, dreams and visions, signs and wonders relate to salvation?

f) Do you think some cultures are more apt to expect and look for “signs” from God?

Global day of Prayer May 27

As believers gathered in prayer in the upper room for ten days after Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, the organizers of the global day of prayer are encouraging churches and believers all over the earth to gather in 10 days of night and day prayer leading up to Pentecost and the Global Day of Prayer 2007.

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk[b] from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

All over the earth night and day prayer watches are being established, from majestic cathedrals in France to tin houses in the slums of South Africa, people are gathering in continual prayer.

Isaiah 62:1, 6-7
1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,
7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.

Will you and your church join in this worldwide movement to seek God in repentance, intercession and praise? God is setting watchmen on the walls in all nations of the earth. He is calling his people to see Him in radical obedience. Will you call your brothers and sisters to gather in a solemn assembly and cry out to Lord to heal your Lord? Will you ask God to show you His heart for the world and be willing to be broken as He reveals it to you? Will you keep watch?

35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:35-36

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chron 7:14-15)

14 Declare a holy fast;

call a sacred assembly.

Summon the elders

and all who live in the land

to the house of the LORD your God,

and cry out to the LORD.

(Joel 1:14)

Global Day of Prayer

http://www.globaldayofprayer.com/

Mobilize ten days of Prayer -May 17-26

http://www.globaldayofprayer.com/10days.php