This is Acts 1:1–5:

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Well, Acts is written by Luke. Luke's first book, we know, is “The Gospel According to Luke,” was about “all that Jesus began to do and to teach.” And what's important to understand, in Acts, is this book is a continuation of that same topic. Acts is about the continuing ministry of Jesus. Even though he is not physically present, he is spiritually present and continues his work through his apostles.

This means that the central character, in the drama of Acts, is Jesus. Jesus is building his church. Jesus is defeating his opponents. Jesus is removing obstacles. Jesus is empowering his disciples. Jesus is birthing faith in his hearers. Jesus is fulfilling the promises of his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

And after his brief introduction, Luke summarizes the 40-day period between Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension, when he prepared the disciples for what was to come. That 40 days was an announcement of victory and a time of teaching and preparation. What was the preparation? Well, as you read the history of the resurrection, don't take all the physical appearances of Jesus for granted. In his physical appearance, he is teaching them that he defeated sin and death, and his work was far, far from over.

Here's what he communicated to them for these 40 days. First, he left them with special commands to do what he had called for them to do. He told them to stay in Jerusalem and “to wait for the promise of the Father.” He told them about the coming baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now think about this. These are not words of a defeated prophet. These are not commands of someone whose ministry is at the end. No, these are the words of a victorious Savior King who is sending out his disciples to spread the good news of his victory and his kingdom on earth!

You see, we'll see as we go on in Acts that the disciples didn't have a clue. Everything at this moment was shocking to them. They thought that it was over. And even as they dealt with the resurrected Jesus, they were still confused. They were still thinking the wrong things. They were still asking the wrong questions. But in all of that, for all of its drama, for all of the confusion that we see in the disciples, Acts is a celebration. It's a celebration of the victory of the Messiah Jesus that even death could not stop him; even death could not thwart his plan for the ages. Even death could not stop his intention to spread the gospel globally and to build this global church that still exists today. From those who are rich to those who are poor, to people of every place on earth, with every period of history, the gospel has spread. And Jesus is helping the disciples to understand that victory.

Think about this. Without this good news, I wouldn't be doing right now what I'm doing. And you wouldn't know about Jesus. Acts is your spiritual story. It's our story about the transforming power of Jesus. And that is our hope right now. And that hope splashes across the pages of Acts!

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion

1. Why do you think it’s so easy to miss the fact that Jesus is the central figure in the book of Acts? Why is the appropriate perspective that Jesus is the Savior King who is sending out his disciples such a vital part of understanding what is written in the book of Acts?

2. Why might it be personally comforting and important to see the confusion, shock, and ignorance of the disciples in Acts? How does their confusion, shock, and ignorance help you to feel like you’re not alone when you experience the same things they did?

3. Why do you think it’s so important to see the book of Acts as a celebration of Christ’s victory? How might your personal understanding of Christ’s victory help to shape your everyday life, right here, right now?

4. Why is the book of Acts your personal spiritual story? How is that personal story impacting and changing you right now?

Conversation Prompts to Use with Children

For Younger Children:

  • Even though Jesus isn’t physically around for most of the book of Acts, why is it still a story about him? How do you think the story of Acts connects to both you and me right now? Why is it important to understand that?
  • When you feel confused about something that has happened in your life, how do you think God might want to comfort and care for you?
  • What’s a good plan when we don’t understand God or his ways in our lives?

For Older Children:

  • Why do you think that confusion is such a powerful thing in the lives of people who are trying to figure out God’s control and plan?
  • How can the book of Acts help us understand God more even as we wrestle with a lot of questions about him and his ways in our lives?
  • When you feel confused about something that has happened in your life, how do you think God might want to comfort and care for you?
  • What’s a good plan when we don’t understand God or his ways in our lives?