In Week 3, we will cover just over half of the book of Acts, Luke's sequel to his gospel, and the account of the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church.  These chapters highlight the early growth of the church and the spread of the gospel after Jesus' ascension. In Acts 1, Jesus instructs His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. After His ascension, the Spirit arrives at Pentecost in Acts 2, empowering the apostles to preach boldly, and thousands are converted. The apostles face persecution, but the church continues to grow. Acts 9 tells the dramatic conversion of Saul (later called Paul), who becomes a key figure in spreading the gospel. Peter, another central apostle, has a vision in Acts 10 that shows God's plan to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in His kingdom. As Paul and Barnabas embark on missionary journeys, they establish churches throughout Asia Minor. The key themes in these chapters are the power of the Holy Spirit, the inclusion of all people in the gospel message, and the resilience of the church despite persecution and hardship. 

Let's enter into our rhythm of LEARN, READ, INTERACT.

From How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, Michael Williams makes these points about Acts:

Phrase: Witness
Theme: God expands and empowers his church through his Spirit.
Christ-focus: The Spirit of the risen Christ empowers witnesses about him.
Implications: Let the Spirit of the risen Christ empower our witness to the gospel (2 Timothy 1:7-8).
Questions: When was the last time you told someone the good news of salvation in Christ?  Is the effectiveness of your witness of Christ ultimately up to you?

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