Teaching Notes

Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites." - Acts 2:38-39

MONDAY

In this scripture from Acts, what transpires before this is the disciples are in the upper room and they have received the Holy Spirit. There were many standing around and they heard and understood in their own language. Peter in this scripture is talking those standing and encouraging them to accept the gift of salvation. The first thing is, "Change your life".

What does this mean? It means that you must make a choice. You are standing in the place change. This is a new year and with it comes some new choices and the opportunity to make a change. The call today is to change your life.

1. What kind of things do you think God is requiring you to change in your life today?

2. How do you think you can change these things in your life?

3. How do you think these things will benefit you if you make these changes?

Prayer: God help us to make the changes you call for us to make. That first one being to accept your Son as the avenue to you through repentance of my sins. Help me to make the changes your want me to do in my life.

TUESDAY

The next call from Peter is to "turn to God". Did you know you cannot make the changes you need to without turning to God? In fact, you cannot truly know what you need to change until you turn to God.

What do you think it means to turn to God? It calls for us to shift our focus from ourselves and other things to focus completely on God.

1. What things must you do to turn to God in your life?

2. It is to first accept Christ as your savior (if you haven't done that) or is it for you to commit to follow him better than you have before?

3. What do you think this is important to turn to God for your life?

Prayer: Lord you ask us to turn to you and it is in that turning that we are better able to know what you require for our lives. Help us to learn your way and to follow it completely. Amen.

WEDNESDAY

The third thing Peter tells the people is to "be baptized". This cannot happen until the first step of turning to God is done. This also means to repent. Repent means to be sorry for your sins and to turn from them to God (that is the turning to God mentioned yesterday). Understand the salvation is not in the being baptized but it is the outward activity of what has happened spiritually inside.

1. Why do you think it is important to be baptized?

2. What does this represent for you and to God?

3. What does this represent to the community of believers?

Prayer: Lord help us to turn from anything that is contrary to you so that we can walk with you and in your ways. Help us today to do as you command so that we can live for you. Amen

THURSDAY

This next statement is "each of you". This is a reminder that this call is not to some but for all mankind. The call is to change and give your life over to God so that he can have his way.

1. If the call is for everyone, does this mean that Jesus is the way God chose for salvation for all or only for some?

2. Does this mean there are more than one way to God other than the way he designed?

3. What is the call for each of us to do?

Prayer: Lord you have called all mankind to yourself because you want none to perish. We have the choice of listening and heeding or rejecting your way. Help us today to accept that choice so that we can live in your presence. Amen.

FRIDAY

The next point is when you do all that has gone before you can be saved. And then you can "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit". This promise is not one that is only given to a few but to all, all that God invites to receive it. From every nation and people God is calling for repentance. He does not stop at salvation though. He calls us from being saved to receiving his gift of his Spirit so that we can be empowered to live this life you have called us to.

1. Why do we need God's Spirit?

2. What is the benefits of having God's Spirit?

3. How does the Spirit help us grow up in Christ?

Prayer: Lord we are thankful to you for your gift of salvation and your gift of the Holy Spirit. You give us your Spirit so that we can obey you and live as you call us to. We thank you for salvation that saves us from sins punishment and that you love us enough to provide your way before us and to equip us to follow it. Thank you for your love. Amen.