Small Group Discussion Guide

"Connecting To God's Power" — Pastor Mirek Hufton

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Mirek Hufton opened this powerful message from Acts 1:4 and 1:8, challenging the church to pursue "the promise of the Father" — the baptism of the Holy Spirit — as an essential source of supernatural power for everyday life. He walked through the book of Acts to show a clear biblical pattern: being born again is only the beginning, and God desires every believer to be fully immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit. He challenged us to increase our connection with God through praying in the Spirit, reminding us that the strength of our connection directly determines the level of power that flows through our lives.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

Acts 1:8 (NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

3. ICE BREAKER

Think of a time in your life when you felt completely powerless to handle a situation on your own — it doesn't have to be spiritual. What did that feeling of powerlessness teach you about the value of having a reliable source of strength to draw from?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Understanding the Promise Pastor Mirek made a clear distinction between being born again and receiving "the promise of the Father" — the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Before hearing this message, how did you understand these two experiences? Did his explanation challenge or confirm what you already believed?

2. The Pattern in Acts Pastor Mirek walked through several passages in Acts — including Acts 8, 9, 10, and 19 — to show a consistent pattern of believers receiving the Holy Spirit as a distinct experience after salvation. What stood out to you most from these accounts? Why do you think this pattern appears so repeatedly throughout the book of Acts?

3. Power for Real Life Pastor Mirek described the Holy Spirit's power as practical and personal — giving boldness in intimidating situations, strength to bring the flesh under control, direction for major decisions, and even refreshing in the midst of deep personal pain. Which of these specific benefits resonates most with where you are in life right now, and why?

4. Praying in the Spirit He emphasised that praying in the Holy Spirit is a doorway to the supernatural, and that — as he shared from 1 Corinthians 14:14 — it is a form of prayer where our spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, does the communicating with God. What fears, doubts, or questions do you personally have about this kind of prayer? How might those be addressed by what the Bible shows us?

5. The Connection Principle One of the central statements Pastor Mirek made was this: "The strength of your connection with God determines the power that flows out of you — little power, little connection; great power, great connection." How honestly would you rate your current level of connection with God? What specific thing most limits that connection in your daily life?

6. Boldness Against Fear Pastor Mirek shared the story of boldly sharing the gospel with a long-serving congressman right in front of his staff, and described it as the Holy Spirit producing a boldness that went beyond his natural personality. He also referenced how the early church turned the world upside down through this same supernatural boldness. Where in your own life — at work, in your family, in your neighbourhood — do you most need that kind of Holy Spirit boldness right now?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

This week, set aside five intentional minutes each day specifically to pray in the Spirit — not as part of your regular prayer routine, but as a dedicated, focused practice. Find a private space, remove distractions, and give those five minutes fully to God. At the end of the week, journal or mentally note any changes you observe — in your emotions, your peace levels, your awareness of God's presence, or your ability to handle difficult situations. Come back to your next group meeting ready to share honestly what happened.

6. PRAYER POINTS

• For hunger: Pray that every member of the group would develop a genuine, growing hunger for a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit — not out of religious obligation, but out of a real desire for more of God's power and presence in their lives.

• For breakthrough: Pray specifically for any fears, theological doubts, or past disappointments that may be holding group members back from fully embracing the promise of the Father, asking God to bring clarity, courage, and fresh encounters with His Spirit.

• For boldness: Pray that the group would experience the practical, real-world boldness that Pastor Mirek described — particularly in sharing faith with people around them, standing against intimidation, and walking out their God-given purpose with confidence this week.

7. MEMORY VERSE

Acts 1:8 (NKJV) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Leader's Note: This is a topic that can surface strong emotions, personal histories, and varying theological backgrounds within your group. Create a safe, gracious space for honest questions and genuine conversation. The goal is not to argue doctrine but to open hearts to more of what God has freely made available to every believer.