After Jesus ascends, the disciples faithfully pray together in unity, as the text says “with one accord.” The task before them is to add a new apostle in the place of Judas Iscariot. Pulling wisdom from the Old Testament, they chose a new leader.

One important thing to note is how much they rely on the guidance of the Lord and His Word, as well as the fact that the leadership of this movement was not hoarded by the apostles, but shared. The movement of Christ’s followers is not about holding onto power, but letting the Spirit empower us and send us.

[Acts 1.12-26]

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,

and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

And

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What do the disciples do when they return to Jerusalem? [vv. 13-14]

+ How many followers of Christ are gathered at this time? [v. 15]

+ What does Peter testify? What happened to Judas? [vv. 16-19]

+ What does Peter call on them to do given the situation with Judas? [vv. 20-22]

+ How is the new apostle decided? [vv. 23-26]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Do you have a community to pray with like the apostles?

+ Are you under one accord, in unity, with other Christian believers? If not, is there something God is calling you to do to re-establish unity?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?