Week of 4/5/26:Filled With Power
SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Filled with PowerWeekly Theme: Be the Church - Filled with Power
Sermon Text: Acts 7 : 54 – 60
Primary Reading: Acts 1 – 4
Secondary Reading: Romans 1 – 2
Memory Verses (Through May 2nd): Romans 8:2–6 (ESV)
[2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
[4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
[5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
[6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
1 | Theme Reflection - “Filled with Power”
The story of the Church begins not with their own strength but with the Spirit.
In Acts 1–4, the disciples wait, pray and are filled with power from on high.
What begins in an upper room spills into the streets - tongues of fire, Spirit empowered voices, lives made new. The same Spirit who hovered over creation (Gen. 1:2) now fills God’s people.
In Romans 1–2, Paul declares that the gospel itself is “the power of God for salvation.” Power is not found in eloquence or effort but in the presence of God within His people (Eph. 3:16-19).
Stephen’s final moments (Acts 7:54–60) show what God’s power looks like when it lives in a person: a man filled with the Spirit, seeing Jesus standing at God’s right hand, refusing retaliation, praying for his killers and entrusting his life to his Savior.
To Be the Church — Filled with Power is to rely on God’s presence for power rather than our own strength or competence. The Spirit’s power is not given merely for comfort but for courage, not to make us impressive to others, but to make Christ known more fully (John 15:26).
The story of the Church begins not with their own strength but with the Spirit.
In Acts 1–4, the disciples wait, pray and are filled with power from on high.
What begins in an upper room spills into the streets - tongues of fire, Spirit empowered voices, lives made new. The same Spirit who hovered over creation (Gen. 1:2) now fills God’s people.
In Romans 1–2, Paul declares that the gospel itself is “the power of God for salvation.” Power is not found in eloquence or effort but in the presence of God within His people (Eph. 3:16-19).
Stephen’s final moments (Acts 7:54–60) show what God’s power looks like when it lives in a person: a man filled with the Spirit, seeing Jesus standing at God’s right hand, refusing retaliation, praying for his killers and entrusting his life to his Savior.
To Be the Church — Filled with Power is to rely on God’s presence for power rather than our own strength or competence. The Spirit’s power is not given merely for comfort but for courage, not to make us impressive to others, but to make Christ known more fully (John 15:26).
2 | Daily Reading Rhythm
3 | Practice of the Week - PRaying Boldly
Each day, before speaking or acting, whisper this breath prayer:
“Spirit of God, fill me again.”
Then take one small step of faith - speak an encouraging word to someone who needs it, show mercy to someone who wrongs you, share Christ with your non-Christian neighbor.
True strength is not confined, it is spent for the good of others.
By week’s end, journal one moment where you sensed courage not your own.
Each day, before speaking or acting, whisper this breath prayer:
“Spirit of God, fill me again.”
Then take one small step of faith - speak an encouraging word to someone who needs it, show mercy to someone who wrongs you, share Christ with your non-Christian neighbor.
True strength is not confined, it is spent for the good of others.
By week’s end, journal one moment where you sensed courage not your own.
4 | Doctrinal Focus - The Doctrine of The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity - fully God, eternally active in creation, conviction and renewal.
He indwells believers, empowering them for witness and shaping them into Christ’s likeness.
The Spirit does not come and go like emotion; He abides to make us holy and obedient to God.
To be “filled with the Spirit” is to live yielded - walking in the newness of life that the Spirit brings through our union with Christ and with his life, death and resurrection.
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 53
Q. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?A. First, he is, together with the Father and the Son,
True and eternal God. Second, he is also given to me,
To make me by true faith share in Christ and all his benefits,
To comfort me, and to remain with me forever.
Click here to find Scripture references attached to this Q&A.
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity - fully God, eternally active in creation, conviction and renewal.
He indwells believers, empowering them for witness and shaping them into Christ’s likeness.
The Spirit does not come and go like emotion; He abides to make us holy and obedient to God.
To be “filled with the Spirit” is to live yielded - walking in the newness of life that the Spirit brings through our union with Christ and with his life, death and resurrection.
Q. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?A. First, he is, together with the Father and the Son,
True and eternal God. Second, he is also given to me,
To make me by true faith share in Christ and all his benefits,
To comfort me, and to remain with me forever.
Click here to find Scripture references attached to this Q&A.
5 | Missional Focus - Power for Witness
The Spirit’s filling always moves us outward.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus ties the Spirit’s power to mission: “You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses.”
Ask God this week to show you one person or place where His power might flow through your life.
Pray for boldness to speak, serve, or intercede - believing that the same Spirit who raised Jesus to life lives in you (Rom. 8:11).
6 | Community Group Discussion Questions
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 7 : 54 – 60)
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 7 : 54 – 60)
- What does Stephen’s response to persecution reveal about the Spirit’s presence in suffering?
- How does God’s power enable forgiveness even toward those who oppose us?
- How do the disciples’ prayers in Acts 4 model dependence rather than self-confidence?
- In what ways does Romans 1–2 redefine what true spiritual power looks like?
- When have you felt weak and yet seen God’s power at work through you?
- What would it look like for you to live more yielded to the Spirit’s leading this week?
- How can our group pray more specifically for one another to be “filled with power” for mission?
- What signs of the Spirit’s courage and compassion have you already seen among us?
- Who gives the Church power to tell others about Jesus?
- What happened when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples?
- How did Stephen show God’s power, even when people were unkind to him?
- What can you pray when you feel afraid?
7 | Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray that your name would be holy to us,
That your will would be done on earth as it is now in heaven,
And that your kingdom would come and your Son Jesus would
Be exalted in our hearts and lives, and that salvation would
Come to many who are currently far from you (pray for the lost).
Holy Spirit, we confess none of this will happen in our strength,
But only through your power working through your Word to bring
About faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus. Would you fill us anew
This week that we might delight all the more in our salvation,
And by your power, walk in obedience and by grace bear good fruit.
Amen.