Episode 7

How do we enter into the story? In this final session about the Scriptural story we see how God gives the Holy Spirit to empower the church at Pentecost. It is not enough to simply know the story; we must also live the story. The Holy Spirit empowers us to participate in the story and God’s work of redemption in the world.
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Episode Outline

Participants: The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to be more than observers or spectators of the story.

Renewed: The Spirit gives us a renewed mind, a renewed life, and adopts us into the triune family of God.

The Church: Just as Jesus ascends and the Spirit descends, the church also moves in two directions—the Spirit binds Christians together and missionally sends them out.

Continuation: The Spirit moves the story through the centuries and across geographies.
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Lecturer
Bruce Hindmarsh

Interviews
Ross Hastings
Edwin Hui
Mary Lam
Donald M. Lewis
Cherith Fee Nordling
 

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Sample Questions

Reflection

  • What has God been saying to me through this episode (encouragement, challenge)?
  • What was significant or new? What questions did it raise?

Discussion

  • When have you felt you went from being a spectator to being a participant—from just knowing about the Biblical story to being “pulled through the frame”?
  • Why was Pentecost significant for the early church? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the early church and today?
  • How do you feel about the Holy Spirit? How vital is life in the Spirit for living the Christian life?

Activity

The large candle represents the Holy Spirit, the light􀀁and life that sustains each of us in our faith. The Spirit empowers and sends us to carry God’s light into the world. The tea candle represents your call to be a light—to bring truth and light to the world around you. As your candle is lit, notice that the flame from the large candle is not diminished, rather the light increases.

Share with one another where you want to experience more of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill the group and send you into the world as faithful bearers of God’s light.

Prayer

From Ambrose (340–397), archbishop of Milan and a key figure during the Arian controversy.

O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you, to follow and enjoy you, for Christ’s sake.
 

Additional Resources

Episode List

Download Leader Guide (PDF, 4.4 MB)

Download Participant Guide (PDF, 4.3 MB)

Subtitles: Spanish | French | Korean | Traditional Chinese | Brazilian Portuguese