Life in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowered ordinary believers to become bold witnesses for Jesus Christ, launching the mission of the Church and transforming lives through God’s power and presence.
As believers today, we gather for worship around God’s Word, representing the continuing story of the Church from Pentecost through the spread of the gospel and into the present day
Our own congregation likes to worship, sing, pray, serve, and gather around the communion table also
Life in the Spirit: Season One Overview
The Birth of the Church (Acts 1–2)
The Church Begins
Before there were church buildings, denominations, pastors, choirs, mission teams, or Sunday School classes, there was a small group of believers gathered together waiting for God’s promise.
Season One of Learn the Story of the Church explores the events that gave birth to the Christian Church and launched a movement that would spread throughout the world.
Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, taught them about the Kingdom of God, and promised that they would receive power through the Holy Spirit. He then commissioned them to become His witnesses and carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
What happened next changed history.
The Book of Acts begins with believers waiting, praying, trusting, and preparing. Then, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with power, the gospel was proclaimed, and thousands responded in faith.
The Church was born.
Start Here
If this is your first visit to the Story of the Church study, begin with Lesson 1 and follow the lessons in order. Each lesson builds upon the previous one as we explore how God used ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to launch the Church and spread the gospel.
Begin with Lesson 1: Waiting for the Promise (Acts 1:1–11)
Season Theme
The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to become faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Key Scripture
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…” (NASB)
What We Will Explore
This season follows the earliest days of the Church and examines:
Jesus’ final instructions to His followers
The promise of the Holy Spirit
The Ascension of Jesus
The believers gathering in prayer
Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit
Peter’s first sermon
The growth of the Church
Life together among the first Christians
The foundations of Christian discipleship
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
We will study Acts 1–2 to understand what happened during the birth of the Church.
Reasons We Believe
We will explore what these events teach us about Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, and God’s mission for the Church.
Obedience in Action
We will discover how the early believers responded to God’s work and how we can follow their example today.
Walk It Out
We will reflect on practical ways to live as Spirit-filled disciples in everyday life.
Lessons in This Season of Life in the Spirit ( Season 1)
Lesson 1: Waiting for the Promise
Acts 1:1–11
Jesus ascends into heaven and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Lesson 2: Waiting Together
Acts 1:12–26
The believers gather in prayer and unity while waiting for God’s direction.
Lesson 3: Pentecost — The Holy Spirit Comes
Acts 2:1–13
The Holy Spirit arrives with power and the Church begins.
Lesson 4: Peter’s Sermon
Acts 2:14–41
Peter boldly proclaims the gospel and thousands respond.
Lesson 5: Life Together
Acts 2:42–47
The first believers devote themselves to worship, prayer, fellowship, learning, and generosity.
Why This Matters Today
The same Holy Spirit who empowered the first believers continues to work through Christians today.
The Church is still called to worship, pray, learn, serve, witness, and share the hope of Jesus Christ with the world.
As we study the birth of the Church, we discover that we are part of the same story God began at Pentecost more than two thousand years ago.
Continue the Journey
When Season One ends, the Church begins to face opposition, challenges, and difficult questions.
The next season explores what happens when faith encounters real-life pressure.
Next Season: When Faith Is Tested — The Church Under Pressure (Acts 3–9)
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith.
