**Acts is not just the story of the early church — it’s a picture of the kind of people Jesus calls us to be today.**

By exploring key stories from Acts together, we’ll discover what it means to truly be the church — praying boldly, sharing Jesus courageously, serving others, living in community, and carrying the gospel into the world today.

As we do, we'll be reminded that the church is more than a building we attend or an hour we experience. In a lonely culture longing for connection, God has created a people who live in deep community and join His mission in the world.

Week 1 – We Are Sent
Week 2 – We Pray and Are Spirit-Filled
Week 3 – We Share Jesus
Week 4 – We Grow
Week 5 – We Stand Strong
Week 6 - We Work Together
Week 7 – We Believe in Changed LIves
Week 8 – We Cross Boundaries
Week 9 – We Keep Going

Week 1 // August 16, 2026

Introduction: We Are Sent

Acts 1:1-11

Jesus sends us into the world to continue His mission.

What does it mean to be the church? We often think of the church as a building, or the pastors, or a certain segment of holy people. The reality is that we, the people of God, are the church — God’s ‘Plan A’ to reconciling and restoring the world. He uses ordinary people like you and me, filled with the Holy Spirit, to push back the darkness and usher in the light of the kingdom.

1. When you hear the phrase “the church,” what immediately comes to mind? How might your understanding change if you truly saw yourself and the people around you as the church, rather than thinking primarily of a building, worship service, or pastors?
2. The early church was marked by “passionate spirituality”—a life oriented UP toward God.
  What does passionate spirituality look like in everyday life? Where do you currently feel most connected to God, and where might God be inviting you to pursue Him more intentionally?
3. The early believers practiced radical community—living IN deep relationship with one another. What do you think makes Christian community “radical” rather than simply being friendly people who attend the same church? What would it look like for our group to share more honestly, sacrificially, and intentionally with one another?
4. The early believers had a “missional zeal”—being so captivated by what God is doing that we want to join His mission in the world. Where do you see God already at work in your neighborhood, workplace, family, or community? Who might God be inviting you to notice, love, serve, or reach?
5. Acts shows God using ordinary people, filled with the Holy Spirit, to reconcile and restore the world. If we are the church and the church is God’s Plan A, what is one specific step UP, IN, or OUT that God may be asking you to take this week

Live It Out:
Look for one opportunity to represent Jesus this week.

Week 2 // August 23, 2026

We Pray and Are Spirit-Filled

Acts 1:12–26; Acts 2:1–21

We depend on God through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We live into our God given destiny when we are fully committed to a passionate spirituality centered on Christ, a community of grace and truth, and a zeal for mission that breaks down barriers with the surrounding culture. None of this is possible without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a deep devotion to prayer. This week in Acts 2 we read about the gift of the Holy Spirit and the first disciples' dedication to surrender and prayer.

1. Acts 2:1–4 describes the Holy Spirit coming upon the believers in a powerful and unmistakable way. What does it mean to you that, as followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit doesn't simply visit us but dwells within us? How might that truth change the way you approach an ordinary day?
2. Acts 2:42 says the early church “devoted themselves” to prayer (along with teaching, fellowship, and breaking bread). What do you think the word devoted means in this context? What tends to compete with or distract you from developing a deeper life of prayer?
3. The Holy Spirit empowered the early church not just to know about God but to live differently because of God's presence within them. Where do you currently need the Holy Spirit's presence and power most—your relationships, decisions, work, struggles, witness, or something else?
4. The believers in Acts 2 experienced the Holy Spirit together—praying, worshiping, learning, sharing life, and caring for one another. How does being part of a Christian community help us become more attentive to the Holy Spirit? What happens when we try to follow Jesus entirely on our own?
5. Imagine our church became as devoted to prayer as the church in Acts 2. What might be different in our church, our families, our neighborhoods, and in our own lives? What is one practical step you could take this week to deepen your devotion to prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit?

Live It Out:
Start each day this week with a simple prayer inviting God to guide you.

Week 3 // August 30, 2026

We Share Jesus

Acts 2:21–42

We boldly share the good news of Jesus and invite people to respond.

What can happen when ordinary people simply share the truth about Jesus? Acts 2:21–42 shows us that hearts can change, lives can take a whole new direction, and people can find a place to belong—that’s the Church! Peter didn’t offer the crowd a motivational speech or a list of ways to improve themselves. He told them about Jesus—crucified, raised from the dead, and reigning as Lord. His message touched them so deeply that they asked, “What shall we do?” Imagine YOU sharing the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit and hearing your unsaved family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances ask you that same question.

1.     Why does Peter focus so strongly on Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and lordship rather than offering general advice about living a better life?
2.     Why were those who received the gospel immediately added to the church and devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer?
3.     Which part of the gospel are you most comfortable sharing—Jesus’ death, resurrection, lordship, or the call to respond? Which part do you tend to avoid?
4.     Who in your life needs to hear the truth about Jesus? What is one practical step you can take this week to begin that conversation?
5.     What would need to change in our small group or church for us to share Jesus more confidently and depend more fully on the Holy Spirit?

Live It Out:
Tell one person something Jesus has done in your life.

Week 4 // September 6, 2026

We Grow

Acts 2:42–47; Acts 3:1–10

We grow through worship, prayer, generosity, community, and serving others.

What does it take to become truly great? Talent helps—but behind every great athlete, artist, or leader is something deeper: devotion. Hours of practice. Sacrifice. Showing up when no one is watching. But here’s the bigger question: What is actually worth that kind of devotion? This week we wrestle with what we’re giving our lives to and discover a picture of life and community so compelling that it just might be worth giving everything we’ve got.

Read Acts 2:42–47 together.
1. Icebreaker: Who is an athlete, musician, artist, or other person you admire for their devotion to what they do? What impresses you about them?
2. Look at Acts 2:42–47. What specific things did these early Christians devote themselves to? Which practice stands out to you most, and why?
3. What results do you see flowing from their devotion? What words would you use to describe the kind of community God was forming among them?
4. The sermon gave two reasons Jesus is worthy of our devotion: He is fully devoted to us, and devotion to Him gives our lives lasting meaning and significance. Where have you seen Jesus' devotion to us demonstrated in Scripture or in your own life?
5. “We are saved by grace. We grow by devotion.” What do you think that means? Why is it important to keep both grace and devotion together?
6. Look at the DEVOTED playbook: Deepen my learning. Engage in worship. Value prayer highly. Offer God's gifts. Take time together. Extend Christ's invitation. Declare God's praises. Which of these is already a strength in your life? How has God used it to help you grow?
7. Growing Edge: Which ONE of the seven practices do you sense God inviting you to grow in right now? What is one specific thing you could do this week to practice it?
Close in prayer: Have each person share the practice they chose, then pray for one another to grow by devotion this week