Acts 1:1-11

Think about how the story of "American history" was told you in your public school education. Why did they tell you the story? Why that way? Who were its heroes? Its villains? How did this history attempt to form you into what type of persons?

Acts tells the story of the church that we, as Christians, must still find ourselves within -- extending the story into history. The Acts of the Apostles is not over, but continuing -- your meeting will be an extension of the story. It therefore needs to be read "within", not as an observer looking at a boa constrictor in a zoo like Dudley Dursley (that's for Tasha, my first Harry Potter reference on my blog -- she has been pushing me to including Harry Potter reference). As we read, how do we hear the story? With whom do we identify? Who is its "heroes" and "villains"? Into what type of people is the Spirit trying to form us in the reading of this text?

The passage itself is divided into two sections: vv. 1-5, a prologue to the whole book, and transition from the Gospels to the time of the church; and vv. 6-11, the ascension.

Vv. 1-5: Theophilus means "Lover of God". It could have been a real person, but it forces the reader to identify themselves as "a lover of God" as one reads. Why does the book begin by reminding "Theophilus" of what has gone before? What does the book point to as significant in the life of Jesus of Nazareth? Why the importance of the life of the Apostles with the risen Jesus following his crucifixion and resurrection?

Vv. 6-11. Does Jesus ever answer the question of the disciples? How? What is the relationship between the "restoration of Israel" and the "giving of the Holy Spirit"? How does Jesus' charge to the apostles relate to his immediate ascension? How do the "two men" refer to the "restoration of Israel" as well? Moreover, how does this set the agenda for our lives together? What is the mission of the church today in relationship to the charge of Jesus, the promise of the Spirit, the restoration of Israel, and the return of Christ?

I hope this is enough to get your started. I'm going to have to learn exactly what is best for you -- so please, give me feedback as this all develops!