Found Week 2
LOOKING BACK
Family Time (15 mins)
LOOKING UP
Worship (-15 mins)
Bible Study (30 mins)
If we want to see Biblical things happen, we need to live biblically. This week we’ll dive into Acts 1 again, and we want to go even deeper. As we look at Acts 1:1-17, take note on how these disciples are living and the source of their obedience.
Acts 1:1-17, NIV
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
Discussion Questions:
Have each group share their findings with the larger group. After each group shares, discuss the following:
Looking Forward
Go back into your small groups and have each small group pray/intercede using the things they discussed. We want to be a people who see the characteristics of God in our everyday life, who respond accordingly, and whose vision and values reflect that!
ANNOUNCEMENTS (5 mins)
World Mandate LA (Nov. 11)
We're excited for our 2nd World Mandate LA, hosted at the same place as last year in East LA! It’s going to be an amazing time to connect with our 6 Antioch churches in Southern California, be envisioned for what God’s doing in the nations, and worship Jesus together! Learn more & register at worldmandatela.com.
Join a Kingdom Kids Serve Team!
God is doing some amazing things with our kids. We would love to invite you to join a monthly Kingdom Kids team: we have openings in all classes from Infants to 3rd-5th. This is an awesome way to grow in your own faith and be in community while serving and loving the next generation! We ask that you be a part of our church for six months before signing up. Go to epicentre.org/serve to sign up, or email tim@epicentrechurch.org.
Membership Meeting 10/15: This year's annual membership meeting will be on Sunday, October 15th right after service. We will highlight the past year, share our plans for the coming year and vote on the 2024 budget. Everyone (not just members) are welcome to join, and members will vote at the end.
Membership Info Meetings 10/1: Prior to that, we have TWO meetings for you to ask questions about the 2024 budget on Oct 1. The 1st is in-person after service, the 2nd is on zoom from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
Mei-Leng from Asia Sharing 10/9: Mei Leng is a long time friend of Epicentre who has lived in Asia for the last 8 years. She’s passionate about providing good care/therapy for those doing ministry in Asia. She’s not often here, so this is a special opportunity to hear from her on Monday October 9, 7-9pm at our church office.
To learn more about all of these events, head to epicentre.org/events!
Family Time (15 mins)
- Vision: Invite someone in your Lifegroup to share what your Lifegroup’s vision means to them.
- Connection Activity:
- Everyone writes a single quote from one of their favorite movies or books on a small note piece of paper. (If you can't think of something, switch this to everyone's favorite movie or book title.)
- Put all the pieces in a sorting hat and scramble them around.
- Hand out the randomized pieces to everyone present. Everyone should only have one piece of paper, but not their own.
- Take turns reading out the quote/title that you have and try to guess the owner of the note.
- Announcements (see bottom of this doc)
- Check-Ins: life updates, praise reports, etc.
LOOKING UP
Worship (-15 mins)
- To The One Seated On The Throne - UPPERROOM
- Highest Praise - MBL Worship
Bible Study (30 mins)
If we want to see Biblical things happen, we need to live biblically. This week we’ll dive into Acts 1 again, and we want to go even deeper. As we look at Acts 1:1-17, take note on how these disciples are living and the source of their obedience.
- Split your group into 3 smaller groups.
- Have each group read through Acts 1:1-17 in their small groups but each group will focus on different things.
- Have Group 1 focus and discuss the characteristics of God that are highlighted in the passage.
- Have Group 2 focus and discuss how the disciples are choosing to respond.
- Have Group 3 focus and discuss the vision and values of the early church.
Acts 1:1-17, NIV
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
Discussion Questions:
Have each group share their findings with the larger group. After each group shares, discuss the following:
- What does this mean for us? (As a lifegroup and a church.)
- As a lifegroup: How do we want to start living Biblically? What are one or two practical things we do?
- As part of a church: How can we respond to start to see our church family live Biblically?
Looking Forward
Go back into your small groups and have each small group pray/intercede using the things they discussed. We want to be a people who see the characteristics of God in our everyday life, who respond accordingly, and whose vision and values reflect that!
- Group 1: Pray/Intercede using the things you’ve discussed. Pray that we would be a lifegroup/church that sees these characteristics of God.
- Group 2: Pray/Intercede using the things you’ve discussed. Pray that we would be a people who respond to the revelation and leadership of Jesus.
- Group 3: Pray/Intercede using the things you’ve discussed. Pray that we would be a people whose visions and values are fueled by the Holy Spirit’s leadership found in scripture, and in our own lives.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (5 mins)
World Mandate LA (Nov. 11)
We're excited for our 2nd World Mandate LA, hosted at the same place as last year in East LA! It’s going to be an amazing time to connect with our 6 Antioch churches in Southern California, be envisioned for what God’s doing in the nations, and worship Jesus together! Learn more & register at worldmandatela.com.
Join a Kingdom Kids Serve Team!
God is doing some amazing things with our kids. We would love to invite you to join a monthly Kingdom Kids team: we have openings in all classes from Infants to 3rd-5th. This is an awesome way to grow in your own faith and be in community while serving and loving the next generation! We ask that you be a part of our church for six months before signing up. Go to epicentre.org/serve to sign up, or email tim@epicentrechurch.org.
Membership Meeting 10/15: This year's annual membership meeting will be on Sunday, October 15th right after service. We will highlight the past year, share our plans for the coming year and vote on the 2024 budget. Everyone (not just members) are welcome to join, and members will vote at the end.
Membership Info Meetings 10/1: Prior to that, we have TWO meetings for you to ask questions about the 2024 budget on Oct 1. The 1st is in-person after service, the 2nd is on zoom from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
Mei-Leng from Asia Sharing 10/9: Mei Leng is a long time friend of Epicentre who has lived in Asia for the last 8 years. She’s passionate about providing good care/therapy for those doing ministry in Asia. She’s not often here, so this is a special opportunity to hear from her on Monday October 9, 7-9pm at our church office.
To learn more about all of these events, head to epicentre.org/events!