WEEK 2
Week Two: On the Move
Once we’ve started to see the Spirit as a person—as someone present, close, and trustworthy—then we can start to recognize what He’s doing, where He is leading, and we can see how He moves in the world and in us. Because the truth is, the Holy Spirit is always at work; we just don’t always notice. Sometimes He’s quiet. Sometimes He’s bold. Sometimes He closes a door or whispers a warning. He’s not predictable, but He is trustworthy. This week, we’re tuning our ears and hearts to how the Spirit leads—not just in the early church, but right now, in our lives. We’ll see how He directs, speaks, convicts, comforts, and empowers. And hopefully by the end of the week, you’ll feel a little more aware of His movement around you, in you and maybe even through you.
Church-Wide Prayer/Prayers
This week we will all be praying together for one person the Holy Spirit leads us to pray for every day at 1PM. Haven’t chosen anyone yet? Here are some questions Mike challenged us ask:
Who have I stopped praying for?
When was the last time I noticed someone I normally overlook?
What if my next conversation is Spirit-assigned?
What does God think about the person I consider a lost cause?
Here are some optional corporate prayers for our one at 1PM:
“Jesus, let [Name] see You clearly today and help them to somehow know how much you love them.”
“Holy Spirit, prepare [Name]’s heart to hear from you, and give me courage to share your love as you lead.”
“God, don’t let me give up on [Name]. Give me the same patience you have and help me to offer them the same kind of love you’ve offered me.
Guided
Meditiation
This 15 minute Guided Meditation is meant to create space for you to be still. You will be guided through a process that includes moments of silence that last 2-3 minutes. Stay engaged in the silence, it’s ok if your mind wanders, practicing stillness in the silence is part of what we are doing together in this exercise.
Day 8(Monday, 8/11): Read Acts 8
Theme: The Spirit Goes Where We Don’t
📖 Summary
After persecution scatters the church, Philip heads to Samaria—yes, Samaria. This is the place Jewish people would often avoid, but not Jesus (see John 4:4), so his followers had to go through Samaria too. So, the good news of Jesus is beginning to reach to the ends of the earth. As the gospel spreads, signs and wonders follow, and people believe. Then the Spirit sends Philip to the desert, just to meet one man: an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah. Philip explains Jesus, baptizes him, and the Spirit carries him to the next place.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit isn’t stuck. He moves. He sends. He goes places we wouldn’t, and invites us to follow. Sometimes it’s to the crowds, and sometimes it’s to the one person who’s ready. That’s what the Spirit does—He turns persecution into purpose, deserts into divine appointments, encounters into evangelism. He’s always ahead of us, nudging us toward someone who needs to hear the hope of who God is and what He has in store for them..
❓One Question
Who might the Spirit be sending you to give a message of hope? It could be a student, a friend, your kid, a neighbor, a coworker, your spouse. Think of who it might be and challenge yourself to consider someone you wouldn’t normally move towards, and think of a way you might offer them some encouragement today.
🔥 One Challenge
Take a few moments to be still and silent before the Holy Spirit. Set a timer for 5 minutes and simply say, “Holy Spirit, who are you leading me to share hope with today?” If you’d like more guidance than that, check out the guided 15-minute prayer and meditation for this week. As you listen, see if the Spirit brings anyone to mind.
Day 9 (Tuesday, 8/12): Read Acts 9
Theme: The Spirit Changes Stories
📖 Summary
Saul, a man violently opposed to Christians, is stopped in his tracks by Jesus. Blinded, humbled, and led to Damascus, Saul is met by Ananias, who obeys the Spirit’s nudge to go to and meet with him. (Can you imagine how scary this would have been for Ananias?!?!) At that meeting, scales fall from Saul’s eyes, and his entire story changes. He becomes a preacher, teacher, THE OG church-planter, and the writer of most of the New Testament.
💬 One Thought
We always say there are no perfect people allowed at Mission because the Holy Spirit isn’t in the business of improving already perfect people. Instead, He transforms the most unqualified, including “those people” you’d never imagine, even you. There’s no one so far gone, so stubborn, or so broken that God can’t rewrite their story. And sometimes the Spirit asks us to be part of someone else’s turning point. Ananias didn’t want to go—but he obeyed. That’s how the Spirit moves: He softens hearts, opens eyes, and flips the script.
❓One (maybe two, maybe three) Question(s)
What part of your story feels too far gone for God to rewrite? Is there anyone who you think is too far gone, who you could never imagine turning their life around? Why?
🔥 One Challenge
On Tuesdays, our challenge will be around worship. Worship is simply how we respond to who God is—the one who heals and frees and offers others what we can’t. Worship is more than music, but music is one powerful way we worship because it helps us express things we might not have words for on our own.
Today, as a church, we’re all listening to the song Holy Ground by Passion (you can find it HERE on Spotify) at some point in the day. Let it be your worship moment—whether you sing along, sit quietly, or take it in on a walk. As you sing the bridge, the lyrics are, “Chains fall, Fear bow, Here Now, Jesus, you change everything.” Sing it over your own story and over the person who feels so far from God you can’t imagine the scales falling from their eyes.
Day 10 (Wednesday, 8/13) – Read Acts 10
Theme: The Spirit Breaks Barriers
📖 Summary
Cornelius, a Roman officer, has a vision. So does Peter. Through these Spirit-led moments, Peter realizes something life-altering: the love and presence of God are not confined to any group, category, or tradition. As Peter speaks, the Spirit falls—not just on Peter’s people, but on Cornelius and his whole household. It’s a holy disruption. A divine expansion.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit doesn’t just stretch our categories about others—He stretches us. In this story, Peter had to unlearn assumptions before he could fully follow the Spirit’s lead. Sometimes, so do we. That’s what the Spirit does—He invites us deeper. He undoes what no longer fits. He draws us out of comfort and into communion. The fruit is always love. Always freedom. Always more of Jesus.
❓One Question
Where might the Spirit be gently stretching your view of yourself, and is there a belief about your worth, your past, your capacity, or your belonging that you assumed was out of God’s reach for redemption?
🔥 One Challenge
Each Wednesday in this journey, we’re fasting—not to impress God, but to be impressed upon by Him. Maybe fasting for you means a full 24-hour fast, maybe it’s skipping a meal, or going without your usual go-to comfort. Start wherever you are, but choose something today to replace to refocus your heart on the Spirit.
When your stomach growls today, let it be a nudge to pray:
God, where are you expanding me?
What old narratives need to fall away?
How can I receive your Spirit in a fresh way?
Let the ache make space. Let the lack lead to deeper listening. Let today be less about what you go without and more about what you tune into. You are not too much or not enough. You are not outside the circle. The Spirit falls on you, too.
Day 11 (Thursday, 8/14) – Read Acts 11
Theme: The Spirit Confirms and Unites
📖 Summary
Peter returns and tells the Jewish believers what happened with Cornelius—and how the Spirit fell. At first, they’re skeptical. But as Peter shares the story, the community realizes that God is at work, and maybe He’s doing even more than we thought He could. Meanwhile, new believers are growing in Antioch—and Barnabas encourages them in the Spirit.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit isn’t just a private experience—He moves among communities. He confirms truth, challenges prejudice, and brings unity where there could be division. What God starts in individuals, He affirms in the family of faith. That’s one of the Spirit’s roles: keeping the church centered on Jesus and knit together in love.
❓Reflection Question
Where have you seen the Spirit move not just in you, but among your people—in your church, your small group, your friendships and how is God using community to reveal more of who He is?
🔥 Challenge
Who in your life needs to hear, “I see God in you?” Ask the Holy Spirit to brings someone to mind—a friend persevering through pain, a quiet leader stepping out in faith, or someone simply staying faithful in the ordinary. Take a moment to shoot them a text, write them a card or give them a call and tell them that you see them and you are inspired by the way they are learning, growing and living.
Day 12 (Friday, 8/15) – Read Acts 12
Theme: The Spirit Sets People Free
📖 Summary
Peter is thrown into prison, but the church prays. In the middle of the night, an angel shows up, chains fall off, and Peter walks free. Meanwhile, Herod plays the power game but dies when he tries to take God’s glory for himself.
💬 One Thought
The Holy Spirit isn’t intimidated by locked doors. He breaks chains—physical, spiritual, emotional—and reminds us that no one can imprison what God wants to set free. The prayers of the church matter. The presence of the Spirit is stronger than the plans of people in power and politics, and freedom doesn’t always look how we expect, but it always comes when God moves.
❓One Question
Where do you feel stuck and locked up—and what might it look like to invite the Spirit into that place?
🔥 One Challenge
Pray for someone (or yourself) who feels trapped today. Ask the Spirit to move in ways you can’t control and believe that He’s already at work.
Day 13 (Saturday, 8/16) – Read Acts 13
Theme: The Spirit Sends and Speaks
📖 Summary
As leaders in the Antioch church worship and fast, the Holy Spirit speaks: “Set apart Barnabas and Saul.” The community lays hands on them and sends them off. From there, Paul and Barnabas begin preaching in new places—some receive the Word, some reject it, and the Spirit keeps leading.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit speaks when we slow down long enough to listen. This sending didn’t come from a board meeting or a five-year plan—it came from worship and prayer. The Spirit calls, equips, and sends. And sometimes the answer to your question—“What should I do next?”—comes not from striving, but from stillness.
❓One Question
Are you carving out space to listen for the Spirit’s voice?
🔥 Challenge
Take a silent walk today—no phone, no music, no podcasts. Choose a quiet path, even if it’s just around your neighborhood, and walk slowly and prayerfully. Let your mind settle and your heart become attentive. As you walk, repeat the simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, I’m listening.” Be open to what God brings to your mind or stirs in your spirit.
Day 14 (Sunday, 8/17) – Read Acts 14
Theme: The Spirit Strengthens the Wounded
📖 Summary
Paul and Barnabas keep preaching—but it’s not easy. In one town, Paul is stoned and left for dead. But he gets up. He keeps going. They encourage the believers, appoint leaders, and press on—through hardship and Holy Spirit strength.
💬 One Thought
Sometimes the Spirit empowers miracles. And sometimes, He empowers resilience. Paul should have been done—but the Spirit raised him up. The Spirit strengthens the wounded, helps us get back up, and reminds us we’re not done yet. There’s still good to do. Still people to love. Still grace to give.
❓One Question
Is there an area in your life today where you feel like giving up but instead you need to get back up?
🔥 One Challenge
Have the courage to tell someone where you feel like giving up. Maybe it’s a teammate at church today, maybe it’s a phone call to an old friend, or maybe it’s someone you value as a mentor or your sponsor. Share where you feel like quitting and, if applicable, ask for help in how you could take the next right step.