Teaching Plan Feb-May 2024
Mission by the Spirit Then and Now II - The Book of Acts
We are continuing our teaching series looking at our River values - charismatic, missional, non-religious, generous and inclusive. This time we are focussing on mission by the Spirit. We will do this by journeying through the book of Acts together. Of all the great characters and stories in Acts, the Holy Spirit is the star.
Acts is Luke's sequel where he shows how the expanded kingdom of God - prophesied and promised in his Gospel (part one) - is fulfilled by Jesus’s Holy Spirit coming to work within and through those who put their trust in Him.
This is mission. New communities are formed which demonstrate that God's kingdom is active in the world. Luke shows how the kingdoms of this world (Rome, religion, philosophy, principalities and powers) are no match for the kingdom of God. This meant God's mission was successful then, and will continue to be now.... when we allow the Holy Spirit to be front and centre.
Week to |
Subject / Bible refs |
Speaker |
25 Feb |
1: Ready to Go: Holy Spirit fills and empowers us for mission Acts 1:1-2:13 |
Paul Wratten |
03 Mar |
(Family meeting) |
|
10 Mar |
2: Witness in Jerusalem: Community life empowers mission Acts 2:14-5:42 |
Nigel Rivers |
17 Mar |
3: Witness beyond Jerusalem: Mission is expansive Acts 6:1-12:25 |
Emanuel Prinz |
24 Mar |
4: Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia: Division and opposition cannot stop Holy Spirit-led mission Acts 13:1-14:28 |
Andy Read |
31 Mar |
(Easter Sunday / River Together - Altwood School, Maidenhead) |
Linda Ward |
07 Apr |
(Family meeting) |
|
14 Apr |
5: Jerusalem Council: Fully inclusive mission - testimony, Scripture and the Holy Spirit Acts 15:1-35 |
Al Bullen |
21 Apr |
6: Witness in Greece: Mission is often pragmatic Acts 15:36-18:22 |
Colin Barnes |
28 Apr |
7: Witness in Ephesus: Mission is the presence of God’s kingdom that often confronts prevailing culture Acts 18:23-20:38 |
Paul Wratten |
05 May |
(Family meeting) |
|
12 May |
8: Arrest in Jerusalem: Mission is sometimes costly Acts 21:1-23:35 |
TBA |
19 May |
9: Witness in Caesarea: God uses every opportunity for mission Acts 24:1-26:32 |
Anthea Wratten |
26 May |
10: Witness in Rome: Persevering in mission through the storms of life Acts 27:1-28:31 |
TBA |