1. Read Acts 18:18-28

1. What surprises you about these verses?
2. It says that Apollos taught accurately about Jesus, but only knew about John's baptism. What could this mean? What was John's baptism focused on (see Acts 19:4 for help)? Why would it be a problem to only know about John's baptism?
3. Throughout Acts the church suffers and struggles because Jesus' Kingdom has not yet been fully unveiled (we see evidence of this again in Acts 19:23-41 as the Ephesians riot in response to the Spirit's work). And yet the gospel still advances despite the riot. How does that show us we are not merely waiting on Jesus' return, but participating in something already breaking in? How does that encourage you today?

2. Read Acts 19:1-12, 17-20

1. What happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon these believers? List all the things we see happen.
2. Ephesus was a city historically known to be deeply entrenched in idolatry and magic. Why is it significant that people's lives are changed in this city, and changed so dramatically? How does this challenge us about our city and the lives around us?
3. How is this similar to the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, and to what follows after?
4. How does a repeat of Pentecost show us that the miraculous work of the Spirit in Jerusalem was not just a one-time event? Why is this important for us to know today?
5. The sons of Sceva try to invoke the name of Jesus like magic. It doesn't work. How does this detail show us that we cannot control the work of the Spirit, while also encouraging us to expect the Spirit to work in powerful ways?

3. Application

1. How does this text challenge you today? How does this text encourage you?
2. In 19:18-20, when people confess their sin and others burn their scrolls, we are seeing a kind of repentance that is deeply personal and deeply sacrificial. Where do you long to see the Spirit bring that kind of repentance and change in your own life?
3. What would it look like in our city to see that same repentance take hold publicly and communally — among the people around you, and through North Park and the other churches of London? How does this challenge us to expect that this kind of thing is possible today?
4. What would it look like for us to believe this could happen? What would it look like for us to be a people who pray for this to happen?
5. How can we keep this in perspective — not trying to control God — while also remembering that suffering will continue because we are still waiting for Jesus to return?