Bible Study Notes 5/19/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Spring Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem:  Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 20

 19 May  2026

Acts 1:6-15, NLT: The earthly departure of Jesus brought initial wonder and even anxiety to His disciples. During the three years Jesus was with the disciples, He gave them many references to His ascension. Jesus told the disciples it was necessary for Him to leave them for the Holy Spirit to come. Jesus gave the disciples explicit instructions to return to Jerusalem and prepare for (wait on) the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s instructions are always reliable. So often our plans and expectations fall short of God’s divine plan. The disciples came to realize this and began ten days of worshiping, praising, and waiting on the Lord’s promise. The gift of the Spirit and evidence of the Presence would unite believers into a living body of witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Fear was replaced with faith; hesitation with hope!

Verses & Explanations for Acts 1:6-15 NLT

Observe     Interpret     Apply

(Verses 6-7): All events are in God’s time:

⁶ “So when the disciples were with Jesus, they kept asking Him, ‘Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?’ ⁷ He replied, ‘The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.

(Verse 8): Authority is in the Spirit and not in self:

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

(Verses 9-11) The departure of Jesus (Ascension) was beyond the disciples timing or control:

⁹ After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. ¹⁰   As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed me suddenly stood among them. ¹¹ ‘Men of Galilee’ they said, ‘why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return to Jerusalem   from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!’ 

(Verses 12-13a): The disciples went to Jerusalem as Jesus appointed them:

¹² Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. ^13a When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.

(Verse 14): Other followers joined the disciples in daily worship and prayer:

¹⁴ They all met together and were constantly in prayer, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brother of Jesus.

(Verses 15): The group grew quickly. Peter emerges as their leader:

¹⁵ During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood and addressed them.”

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1. Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105