New Testament #1: Ascension

HIGHS AND LOWS: (10 minutes)
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal and share them with the group.  Pastor Breen or another student will gather them in prayer as we light our candles.

INTRODUCTION: (3 minutes)
This year we will be studying the Book of Acts.  We will watch a 3-minute overview of this book on youtube:

INTRODUCTION (2 minutes)
Read the introduction of the Book of Acts in your Connect Bible NRSV as a class.

EXPERIENCE THE WORD: (5 minutes)
Today, we will watch a scene from the miniseries “AD:  The Bible Continues” which shows the Ascension of Jesus.  I do not recommend the whole series because much of the material is fictional, but when they do get to the Bible sections of Acts, it is visually stunning and impactful.  Begin on disc one, and choose “play all.”  Fast-forward to 1:19:40 and watch until 1:21:58.

DWELLING IN THE WORD:  (20 minutes)
First, read Acts 1:1-11 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (take turns reading aloud, verse by verse).  Answer the following questions about the whole story as completely as possible (group activity:  do this with your parents):

Comprehension Questions:

1. What did the author of Acts write about in the first book? (verses 1-2)
2. What happened after Jesus’ suffering? (verse 3)
3. What did Jesus order the disciples to do? (verse 4)
4. With what does Jesus promise the disciples will be baptized? (verse 5)
5. What do the disciples ask of Jesus? (verse 6)
6. How did Jesus respond to this question? (verse 7)
7. When will the disciples receive power? (verse 8)
8. What will the disciples become? (verse 8)
9. What happened after Jesus said this? (verse 9)
10. What happened while the disciples were gazing up toward heaven? (verse 10)
11. What do these people ask? (verse 11)
12. What do these people tell the disciples? (verse 11)

Content Questions:

1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
2. What is my favorite part of this text?  Why?
3. What stories or memories does this text stir up in you?  You might remember a time when someone you loved went away for a long time, or a time that you watched a rocket launch, for example.

TAKING IT HOME (3 minutes)

1. During this week, in your prayers, try using “Ascended Lord” as your title for God. You might choose to pray with your hands reaching up to heaven to remember the Ascension.

OUT LOUD PRAYER: (7 minutes)
Prayer of Ascension:  For today’s prayer, we will be making tea bag rockets to both give our prayers to God and remember how Jesus returned to heaven on Ascension Day.  You can find out how to do this here:

What are some prayers that you wish to lift to God today?  They could be prayers of thanksgiving, or asking for help for yourself, one another, or the world.  The sky is the limit! (pun intended)  As you light your tea bag, pray that prayer out loud, inviting your classmates to join in the “Amen.” Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.