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Bible Study Companion Guide
The Spirit Who Holds Us Together Sixth Sunday of Easter · May 10, 2026 Scripture Focus: Psalm 66:8–20 · Acts 17:22–31 · 1 Peter 3:13–22 · John 14:15–21 WHY THESE TEXTS FOR THIS SEASON Easter is not only the celebration of resurrection—it is the unfolding of what resurrection does in us, among us, and through us. In this sixth week of Eastertide, the Scriptures trace a quiet but powerful movement: from praise, to witness, to perseverance, to presence. Each text offers a different window into what it means to live as people shaped by the risen Christ. Taken together, they form a single, steady truth: We are not left alone. We are held, guided, and formed by the living presence of the Creator through the Spirit. A THREAD THROUGH THE TEXTS The Psalm begins with a call to bless and remember. The people are invited to name what God has done—not as distant history, but as lived experience. There is honesty here: the journey has not been easy. There has been testing, strain, and passage through difficulty. And still, the testimony rises: “Yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.” In Acts, Paul stands in a public space filled with many beliefs and voices. Rather than withdraw, he speaks into the moment, naming a God who is not distant, not confined, and not controlled. This God is near—closer than breath, closer than thought: “In God we live and move and have our being.” The letter of 1 Peter turns toward the daily life of the community. It acknowledges that living faithfully is not always simple. There are moments of misunderstanding, pressure, and challenge. Yet the call is not to fear, but to remain rooted in hope—with a steady spirit and a clear sense of who we are. And in the Gospel of John, Jesus gathers it all together. He speaks not of absence, but of abiding presence. The disciples are not being left behind—they are being drawn deeper in. Jesus promises the Spirit, the Advocate, the one who will remain with them and within them. “You will know that I am in the Creator, and you in me, and I in you.” WHAT HOLDS THIS ALL TOGETHER Across these readings, a single movement emerges: · We remember what God has done. · We speak into the world with courage. · We live with integrity in the face of challenge. · We trust the presence that never leaves us. This is not about perfection. It is about connection. The Psalm reminds us that our stories matter. Acts reminds us that our voices matter. 1 Peter reminds us that our witness matters. John reminds us that our being matters—because we are already held in divine presence. FOR REFLECTION 1. Where have you experienced being brought through something difficult into a more spacious place? 2. What does it mean for you to say, “In God I live and move and have my being”? 3. How do you remain grounded when life feels uncertain or challenging? 4. Where do you sense the presence of the Spirit with you—even now? A PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK Take a few moments each day to pause and notice where you are. Without rushing, simply breathe and say: “I am not alone. The Spirit is with me.” Let that awareness guide how you move, speak, and respond throughout your day. CLOSING PRAYER Creator of life, you have carried us through more than we can name, and brought us into spaces of grace we did not expect. Help us to remember your presence, to trust your nearness, and to live with courage and peace. Let your Spirit guide us—not only in what we do, but in who we are becoming. And in that becoming, may we reflect your love in the world. Amen. Bible Study takes place ever Monday from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Zoom invitation can be found on the Calendar tab.
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