The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Approaching Pentecost
Promise and Prayer

Acts 1:1 - 11

TRACKING THE WORD TODAY
The connection between promise and fulfillment is found in the ancient-future practice of prayer

1. The toughest place to be is in the middle of a yet-to-be-fulfilled PROMISE.

2. The only way to see a promise fulfilled is to go THROUGH the MIDDLE.

3. How to handle the sometimes long or uncertain "in-between" journey from promise to fulfillment:

(a) Don't ABANDON the project or the people who committed to it with you.

(b) FOLLOW the Promise-maker's instructions.

(c) Keep hope alive in frequent FELLOWSHIP.

(d) Motivate your MEMORY of the Promise-maker and His mission.

(e) Pray as if your life--and fulfillment--DEPENDED on it.

GROWTH & ACTION STEPS
Explore and respond to the following statements in personal journaling and/or small group discussion

1. Describe one or two situations in which you found yourself in the middle between promise and fulfillment. Think about promised gifts, anticipated milestones, goal-oriented projects, or developing relationships. What are your feelings or emotions when your somewhere a long way between "start" and "finish?" What have you done (or what can you do) to help yourself and others through the middle? Discuss or journal your responses?

2. Read Acts 1:1-5. What all did Jesus do before he was taken up into heaven (ascended)? Why do you think he did these things? To whom did Jesus show himself "after his suffering" and before he ascended? Why do you think Jesus instructs his disciples to not leave Jerusalem? What difference would it make? Discuss or journal your responses.

3. Read Acts 1:6-8. Even after all Jesus had said and done, his disciples were anticipating the immediate overthrow of the Roman government and corrupt Jewish leaders and a restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. Instead, what does Jesus tell them about the timing of God's Kingdom? Who sets these times? Instead of worrying about timing and receiving a kingdom, what does Jesus promise the disciples will receive? What will they be and do (and where) when this promise is fulfilled? Do you think this applies to us today? How?

4. Read Acts 1:9-11. What happened as Jesus was talking to his disciples? What promise do they receive from the two men dressed in white? Has this promise yet been fulfilled? Discuss or journal your responses.

MARKINGS & WAYPOINTS

THE BEGINNING OF RESTORATION "The proper place of Pentecost in the divine drama of Love is that it was the chronological and historical 'beginning' (Acts 11:15) of the restored experiential love-life relationship of the Triune God with all mankind, when the Spirit of Christ was poured out to dwell in the spirits (cf. Rom. 8:16) of those receptive to God's love." -- James A. Fowler

BODY & SOUL "The Lord promised to send us the Holy Spirit to make us fit for God's purposes. Just as dry flour cannot coalesce into a lump of dough, still less a loaf, without moisture, so we, who to begin with are dry wood, can never bear the fruit of life unless the rain from heaven falls upon our wills. For our bodies through the water of baptism have received the unity which leads to freedom from corruption; but our souls have received it through the Spirit." - Irenaeus

HARMONY IN GUIDANCE "There are four ways in which God reveals His will to us: (1) through the Scriptures, (2) through providential circumstances, (3) through the convictions of our own higher judgment, (4) and through the inward impressions of the Holy Spirit on our minds. … In all true guidance these four voices will necessarily harmonize, for God cannot say in one voice that which He contradicts in another. … If either one of these tests fail, it is not safe to proceed, but you must wait in quiet trust until the Lord shows you the point of harmony, which He surely will, sooner or later, if it is His voice that is speaking. - Hannah Whitehall Smith

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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