Welcome (greetings and announcements)

● Open in prayer

Warm-up (ice-breaker, games, skit)

● Play the “Tennis Ball” game

Workout (Bible studies, devotionals, testimonials)

● Read Acts 1:1-11

● If Jesus had stayed on earth, his physical presence would have limited the spread of the gospel because he could only be in one place at a time. After Christ was taken up to heaven, he became spiritually present everywhere through the Holy Spirit. God is now with and within His followers through the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit when we receive Jesus Christ.

● Like other Jews, the disciples chafed under their Roman rulers. They wanted Jesus to free Israel from Roman power and then become their king. Jesus replied that God the Father sets the timetable for all events – worldwide, national and personal (verses 7-8). Don’t become impatient, trust God’s timetable.

● What long-awaited prize was worth the wait? (concert tickets, vacation, etc.)

● Why did Jesus tell the disciples, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know” (v.7)? What “dates and times” do you sometimes wonder about?

● What does it mean to be “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (v.5)? What does that image suggest about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?

● What “power” does the Holy Spirit bring to Christians? How do you specifically need the Holy Spirit’s help in being a witness to others? How have you witnessed the Holy Spirit work in your life and in the lives around you? 

● The Spirit is the power of our new lives. He begins a lifelong process of change as we become more like Christ (Galatians 3:3, Philippians 1:6). When we receive Christ by faith, we begin an immediate personal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit works in us to help us become like Christ. 

Wrap-up (closing comments)

● The Spirit unites the Christian community in Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22) The Holy Spirit can be experienced by all, and he works through all (1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 4:4)

Always receive and pass to the same person, calling out the name of person you pass to and keep adding balls as time goes. 

The first ball must get back to the original person before adding an additional ball. If you drop ball, start over with 1 ball again.

The team to keep most number of balls going wins. 

Key Point: Before you can pass on the message, you must receive the message. Focus on God, where we receive our message from before we pass the message onto others.