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We’ve all felt out of place at some point - think of a time you felt like that, how did you respond to the situation?

Please read Acts 8:26-31 and then Isaiah 53:7-8 aloud.

     • When was a time in your life you encountered something meaningful but didn’t fully understand it until someone came alongside you to guide you?

     • Have you ever been a religious outsider? How did you handle that?

Jonah 2:6 GNT
"I went down to the very roots of the mountains, into the land whose gates lock shut forever. BUT You, O Lord my God, brought me back from the depths alive."

     • How do both Jonah’s rescue from the depths and the jailer's transformation after the earthquake show that no situation is beyond God’s power to bring hope? (see Acts 16:26-31)

Please read 1 Kings 17:17-24 and Acts 9:36-41 aloud.

     • What do these moments above teach us about how God uses people to bring hope to others?

Please read Acts 2:31-33 aloud.

     • How does the promise of new life and the gift of the Holy Spirit challenge us to think about how we live out our faith today?

     • What will you do to put faith into action next week?

Lord, we thank You that resurrection is not distant, but near for each of us. For those who’ve felt like outsiders, show them they belong. For those who feel like life is falling apart, bring Your restoring power. And for those quietly faithful, remind them You see them - give them boldness to tell others about your resurrection power. May Your resurrection Life fill every corner of our hearts. Amen

As you go, take one moment this week to reflect on where you’ve seen a glimpse of hope-whether in your own life, in someone else’s, or in a quiet moment. Jot it down and remind yourself that resurrection hope is still at work-right where you are.

Romans 15:13 ESV
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

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Please share a time when something broken was restored or when a new beginning came after a hard season.

Please read Acts 10:10-16 and then Acts 10:34-36 aloud.

     • How is God inviting me to see others beyond my own biases or comfort zones?

     • In what areas of my life am I being called to step out in faith by trusting God’s bigger plan?

Psalm 147:3 AMP
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]."

     • How can I be a source of comfort and healing to others today?

     • In what ways have I experienced God’s healing?

Please read Romans 12:17-19 and verse 21 aloud.

     • When I’m tempted to respond with revenge or negativity, how can I choose a path of goodness and peace?

     • How can I trust God to bring justice, even when I feel the urge to defend myself?

Please read 2 Timothy 1:7 and then Matthew 5:9 aloud.

     • When I feel fear or timidity, how is God calling me to step forward in courage and peace (even in difficult situations)?

Father, our hearts are full of hope, knowing that in You there is resurrection power. We thank You that Your Holy Spirit heals us. You bind up our wounds and restore our families. Lord, help us to take the first step toward healing, that we would not respond to negativity with more negativity, but with Your love. Teach us to affirm healthy boundaries, guarding our hearts as You do, and give us courage to extend peace even when it feels hard. May we walk in the power of Your Spirit, as peacemakers and as witnesses to Your grace. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

This week, intentionally seek one moment of healing in your own life - take a step toward peace, affirm a boundary, or reach out with kindness.  As you do, let the Holy Spirit guide you, knowing that God is at work in you. As the Holy Spirit brought reconciliation to Peter and Cornelius, may we also be agents of healing, peace, and bold love in our families and beyond.

Acts 11:15-16 ESV
"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the Word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’"