From the gospel of Luke, Jesus’ story continued directly into “volume 2,” the book of Acts. Before leaving earth, Jesus charged his followers to witness to him, but not based on their own courage or cleverness. Instead, they were to wait for the Holy Spirit’s power. Some have even suggested that instead of “Acts of the Apostles,” we might better call Luke’s second volume something like “the Acts of Jesus through the apostles.”

• In Acts 1:15, we read that “the family of believers” included about 120 people. In that light, consider the vast, ever-expanding scope of the task Jesus set before them: “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” How did Jesus’ vision and commission make it imperative for his family of believers to always keep a mission-driven, outward focus for their life together?
• Jesus ordered his disciples “not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised.” We Americans tend to be driven and impatient people. How would you react if Jesus told you not to try to do important work for him on your own, without God’s power? What spiritual risks can “going it alone” pose for a Christ-follower?