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When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. — Acts 2:1-4
Welcome to week one of the Verse Mapping: Acts Online Bible Study. I’m so excited to get started! Aren’t you?
In case we haven’t met yet, my name is Laurie McClure and I’m the editor at FaithGateway and one of your OBS leaders. I’m a Jesus lover, mama, a writer, a beach girl, and a relatively new North Carolinian. I’m a preacher’s kid from family full of preachers and Bible hooligans. I am now single and love it. Some of favorite things are: Perrier, movie theatre popcorn, books, Uggs slippers, and meals with friends. Speaking of which, if I could invite you over, I’d make you Caribbean flank steak Caesar salad with gigantic croutons that you would just cry over because it is so good! Plus, peach iced tea. Yum.
Have you met our teacher? Kristy Cambron is a super fascinating person. She’s an award-winning author of historical fictionand self-proclaimed history nerd and a major researcher, which I personally love about her. I’m dying to ask about going to a working honey farm! She spent a long time in the business world before she left to write. And, she’s a wife and mom. I love her already. From her Instagram and Facebook you can tell she’s witty and fun and serious about Jesus, books, and good coffee. My kinda friend!
It should be no surprise to us that she’s teaching us a study on verse mapping, because at its heart, verse mapping is about researching everything you can about a verse, then finding the context (the who, what, when, where, why, how), then applying what God is saying to us through the story. It’s like reading the Bible from the lens of a researcher and storyteller!
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Acts is about community and unity as the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome. ~ Kristy
Acts is a book written by Dr. Luke to Theophilus (which means “friend of God” or “beloved of God” in Greek). Dr. Luke is one of my favorite authors because he prepared a “detailed account” for people like us. The years were flying by, as they do, so he travelled and personally interviewed everyone who knew Jesus before they passed away. He did the research and found out for himself what their stories were, what the miracles were, what Jesus said and did, how He called us to live as a community, as the Body of Christ.
Luke is showing that we were never meant to walk our faith journey alone. ~ Kristy
Don’t you love the way the Church was born? Jesus ascended into Heaven having promised He would send a counselor and then the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. Incredible!
There was a violent wind and fire that rushed into the room and the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles and Jesus-followers up to overflowing to the point that they poured out in spiritual language.
Wind blowing through the trees is called psithurism. A hot wind that begins in the Saraha and blows over the Mediterranean is called a sirocco. Wind across your vocal chords is called phonation. And the wind that blows into believers filling them with Presence of Almighty God is called the Holy Spirit. How beyond amazing is that?!
I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I will come… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. — Luke 3:16
Everyone who hears the works of God (the spiritual languages) was astounded at Pentecost and thousands were saved. The Holy Spirit is in the business of drawing people into community vibrantly.
That’s what we are called to do, my friends! Go and tell with the Holy Spirit within us!
This week in your study:
- Then, watch the video for session one of the Verse Mapping Acts on our study home page and take notes in your study guide on pages 19-28 and stick around to go through the questions afterward!
- Grab your Bible and enjoy your personal study this week on pages 29-37.
- Join the conversations about this week’s teaching and get to know our community in our private Facebook group.
Scriptures this Week
Acts 2:1-4
Luke 3:16
John 4:1-2
Acts 2:5
Acts 2:46-47
Prayer for the Week
Holy Spirit, we love You! Fill us afresh today to share You with the world around us. Fill us to overflowing so we pour out Your grace and mercy. Help us in our studies this week as we learn to map Your Word and hear Your voice. We love You!
