Connect Group Study Notes: 5 June 2022

Theme: Living the Holy Spirit Life (Week 1)!

Readings: Acts 2:1-21 and Genesis 11:1-9

Fellowship (10 min)

Begin with general conversation and sharing about how the past week has
gone. Try not to go over time.

Worship and Prayer (15 min)

Click on the link below on your smartphone, Smart TV, or computer, to select songs to sing; and then spend a few minutes in song and prayer.

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL SONG’S
 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsAkwbV_S1vXdZVPkZ0_tQW5n9RqeZX0

And if you need to check on the Message for the week again, then click on:

PLETT METHODIST YOU TUBE CHANNEL (MESSAGE):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsAkwbV_S1tV7iRJDkpH0RZOF0UYKVAv

This time of worship and prayer will encourage you to move your thoughts from daily worries and pressures to our time of Bible study and prayer.

Read: Genesis 11:1-9

What verse speaks the most to you?
How was the building of the tower of Babel an act of disobedience?

Read: Acts 2:1-21

Discussion Questions (Approx. 30 min)

• As a group, list the ways the church and STMC make a positive witness to God’s love in the world.
• What might it mean to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 4)? What would it look like in your life?
• Where in the passage are there images of violence or power?(vs.2)
• Where in the passage are there images of order and justice? (See vv. 4-5, 11; vv. 17-18.]
• If your group consists of participants who speak different languages, for as many different languages as are spoken, have them read the first two verses of this passage at the same time. How is this experience? We often focus on speaking in different tongues. How might the miracle of this story also include the ability to hear among the chaos and confusion (v. 8)?
• How did the disciples change following Pentecost? As a group, highlight the ways in which the disciples changed pre- and post-Pentecost (for example prior to Pentecost, they often misunderstood Jesus; asking to be the greatest instead of seeking the way of servanthood; and they were hiding in fear following Jesus’ crucifixion. Following Pentecost, they preach boldly, heal in Jesus’ name, witness in distant lands (Acts 1:8), and are willing to risk their lives for the gospel message.)
• How does worship contain both order (careful planning) and dynamism or power (waiting on God to work in us during worship)?
• Why might our worship services be considered too tame?
• Why might worship properly be considered a dangerous event?
• What difference would it make if we approached the next worship service we attend, with an attitude that reflected this level of apprehension about what God might do in us and through us?

Faith Building (Approx.30 min):
• How is Pentecost the reversal of Babel? What do both say about God’s desire for the church community?

Prayer (10 min).

Share prayer requests and then pray together.

Sending Prayer (2 min).

End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

Holy Spirit of God, we give you thanks even as we acknowledge that we cannot control you (though we may try) and don’t always see where you are guiding us (though we may try). Fill us with your Spirit that we might be the diverse and fruitful people of God that you call us to be. Amen.

Have a great week.
God bless,
Tim.

Acknowledged and with thanks to: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/