Primary Text

Acts 2: 1-13

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Sermon Synopsis

At Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit on ordinary people to meet our deepest longing with His presence, to make us His dwelling place, and to empower us to translate the gospel through love across every barrier. The same Spirit now calls us to be filled by Him daily, to live as Spirit-empowered witnesses whose lives experience and point to Jesus.


Key takeaway: The Spirit fills us with God’s presence and power so that we can know Jesus deeply and reveal Him to others around us.

Sharing Prompts

  1. Where in your life right now do you feel most in need of the Spirit’s presence or power? What would it look like for you to experience the Spirit’s presence or power in this area?

  2. Who in your life needs to see or experience Jesus “in their own language”? What might it look like for you to “translate” Jesus’ love into a way that is accessible?

  3. If Jesus is the ultimate “translation” of God’s love that the world has ever known, what do you feel like you are translating to others through your life?

Practice: Listening Prayer

After discussion, practice listening prayer together as a group:

  • Enter into this space with the intention of seeking and receiving the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Pause for a few minutes of silence. Quietly and attentively pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill me.” Don’t feel pressured to hear or receive something specific. The aim is to simply practice being present to the Holy Spirit and open to whatever he has for us.

  • After the moment of silence and listening, if you feel like you received anything, share briefly with the group (a word or phrase is enough) what you received, felt, or became aware of.

Then close by praying for the Holy Spirit to continue to fill each of us throughout the week.