He tells them to stay where they are.
Read what He says they are waiting for, and how far He says they will end up going.
Then read Paul’s list, and count how many times he says the same Spirit.
Acts 1:4-8 | 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Tap a tool, then tap words. Highlight what gets your attention · underline what God is doing or saying · circle a repeated or unfamiliar word.
Read it aloud, then give everyone two minutes to mark it in silence.
Read both passages slowly. Notice what Jesus tells them to wait for, how far He says they will go, what Paul says the gifts are for, and how many times he says the same Spirit. What details stand out? What surprises you?
Mark it:
- Underline what God is doing or saying.
- Circle a word that repeats, or one you don’t understand.
- Highlight whatever gets your attention, even if you can’t say why.
Acts 1:4-8
4
5
6
7
8
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Acts 1:4-8
4
5
6
7
8
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Read Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 in the New Living Translation
Acts 1:4-8
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
NET Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. netbible.com
What stood out?
Go around the room. Each person reads one thing they marked. If you know why it stood out, say so. If you don’t, “it just stood out” is a complete answer. Nobody explains, nobody corrects.
Your markings are saved on this device and will be here when you come back.
Empowered to Serve
Before Jesus returned to the Father, He told His followers to wait, not for a plan, but for power. The mission He gave them would not be fueled by passion or personality alone. It would require the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
At Pentecost, the Spirit came with power. From then on, ordinary people began to speak boldly, perform miracles, and live with supernatural courage. That same Spirit is still available to us today.
The Spirit gives every believer spiritual gifts. Christians have understood the Spirit’s gifting in several ways. Some gifts appear as enduring patterns in a person’s ministry, like teaching, mercy, or discernment. Others seem to arise for a particular moment, like healing, prophecy, or words of knowledge. These gifts aren’t for status or performance. They’re given to build up the Church and reveal Jesus to the world.
Think of it like a hose connected to a source. When the end is open, water flows. When we make ourselves available, God pours His power through us.
Power is not something we earn. It’s a gift we receive.
The Spirit gives different gifts to different people, but always for the same purpose: to reveal Jesus.
Living Spirit-empowered means expecting God to move through you, not just around you.
When we give away what God gives, He refills us again.
Read this one out loud.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit working through you in a way that surprised you? What happened?
- What spiritual gift have you seen in someone else that encouraged or inspired you?
- Which spiritual gift are you most curious about or drawn to? Why do you think that is?
- What holds you back from stepping out in Spirit-led boldness: fear, doubt, comparison, or something else?
- Where in your life right now could you ask the Spirit to move through you with power for someone’s healing, encouragement, or freedom?
Write it out.
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Let’s pray together
Ask the Spirit to fill each person with boldness and love.
Pray over any gifts the Spirit highlights: prophecy, wisdom, healing, encouragement, or others.
Pray over one another’s gifts and calling. Bless what God is doing.
Listen and stay open; if someone senses a word, Scripture, or image for another, humbly offer it and pray into it.
Closing prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for living in us. Fill us again with boldness, wisdom, and power. Make us ready to love, serve, and speak with Your strength. Use us to show the world who you are. Amen.
- “What gift do you want to stir up in me right now?”
- “Where do you want to release your power through me this week?”
- “Is there someone you want me to pray for, encourage, or serve?”
Leave space for silence, listening, and Spirit-led prayer. If someone senses a word, a Scripture, or a picture for another, offer it gently and pray into it.
Let’s pray
Breakthrough is when God’s Kingdom breaks into your reality: His healing where there is pain, His freedom where there is bondage, His presence where there is loneliness. Jesus is King; His freedom, peace and purpose are available now. Pray from that Kingdom, not toward it.
Be still for a moment. Open your hands and simply pray: “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Ask the Spirit the three questions and write down what comes. Then pray for boldness and love, and over whatever gift the Spirit highlights. Where His fourth line asks you to listen for someone else, write down instead the name of the person the Spirit brings to mind, and pray it over them before you see them.
You can pray more than once. Stay present, and trust that God is at work. Take your time; there is no hurry.
Choose one. Say it out loud so someone else hears it.
Next time you gather, share what you practiced and how God used it, not for pressure but for encouragement.
The reminder downloads as a calendar event. Open it and it lands on your calendar for tomorrow morning.
Done.
The Spirit gives gifts and boldness, not just for ministry moments, but for a lifestyle of love, courage, and supernatural power.