Lesson+24+Essay

Group 1) Research the festival (holiday) of Shavout. Use chabad.org Include in your description 3 things that the Jewish people celebrate or remember for that festival. What kinds of food are involved in that festival? What do we celebrate for Pentecost?

Group 2) Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, what did he tell the disciples to do? (Luke 24:44-53) What did they immediately do, and what was their attitude? Do you think they knew what they were waiting for in "power from on high"? What were the signs that this power came?

Group 3) Shavuot celebrated the firstfruits. What harvest had Jesus sent his disciples out to gather? (Matt 9:37-38, Luke 10: 1-3, John 4:34-38) What first fruits were evident as a result of Peter's preaching? Acts 2:14-16, 36-41

Group 4) How are we today like the Temple of the Lord was to the world of the Old Testament? At Pentecost what did God empower his people to do? Do you feel God has empowered you? How did God's people show Him that they honored the "firstfruit" sacrifice he called them to in the Old Testament? How does this relate to how we show this same sacrifice to God today?

Group 5) Reflect on the last two Jewish holidays we have studied. Passover and Shavuot. Consider how much of the Jewish history is involved in understanding how to celebrate (or show your faith) in these celebrations. Discuss two "Christian" holidays. Compare and contrast how much actual history is involved in our celebration of these holidays. Discuss whether or not you think Christians in general understand the history of their holidays. Discuss how YOUR perspective has changed on the Christian holidays you picked after going through the Vanderlaan videos.