Spirit Unbound

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What do people look like when God has poured out the Holy Spirit on them?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21.

What do you notice about what each of the following people said about the activity of the Spirit in these stories: Joshua (Numbers 11:28), Moses (Numbers 11:29), the “devout Jews” (Acts 2:5), and Peter (Acts 2:14-21)? How do you see a “pouring out” in these encounters?

The Preaching Note for May 24 says, “Moses was not diminished by sharing the Spirit that was within him with the seventy elders…The more we care for the people around us, the more we are able to tell them the truth about the world, about themselves and their behaviors, about the consequences and the benefits to come. We tell the truth to the people we care about.”

How do you understand the connections among these three things: (1) the Spirit’s presence, (2) telling the truth, and (3) caring for others? Moses complained that there weren’t more people leading as “prophets.” What questions does this bring up for you?

Even though Joshua seems to place boundaries on the work of the Spirit and is concerned by the two men, Eldad and Medad, who prophesied in the camp, Moses welcomes the gift of prophesy—speaking in the power of the Spirit—that is continuing in their community. How do you understand a prophetic gift in today’s context?

May 24, “Aldersgate Day,” recalls and celebrates John Wesley encountering the Holy Spirit in what he described as his heart being “strangely warmed.” When have you experienced the pouring out of the Holy Spirit or a “heart-warming” encounter?

Just One Thing: What could you do in the week ahead to explore what it means to be unbounded by the Holy Spirit?

Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the lectionary texts in the following pattern:

• Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
• Read the text (Numbers 11:24-30 or Acts 2:1-21) out loud.
• What do you notice about the text?
• What questions arise?
• What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Spirit of the Living God, we sometimes place boundaries on how we understand or experience you. On this day of celebrating the gift of Pentecost, may we be open to how you want to pour out your Spirit on our lives. Give us ears to hear your voice and the conviction to be truth-tellers. Transform us with your love to all around us. Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the UMC, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.