ACTS - WEEK 10

DOING JUSTICE & PREACHING GRACE

Read Acts 6:1-7

6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

DISCUSS:

1. What was the nature of the of the complaint raised in verse 1?

2. If left unresolved, what further impacts could this issue of the neglected widows have had on the church? (in terms of it’s health internally, as well as its reputation.)

3. What does the first part of the apostle’s response (verse 2) show us about what they perceived to be the Church’s primary responsibility?

Read this quote from Tim Keller.
“Evangelism is the most basic and radical ministry possible to a human being. This is true not because the spiritual is more important than the physical, but because the eternal is more important than the temporal…. If there is a God, and if life with him for eternity is based on having a saving relationship with him, then the most loving thing anyone can do for one's neighbour is help him or her to a saving faith in that God. “

4.(In pairs) Does the need that all people have to hear the Gospel feel as pressing to you as physical needs? why/ why not?

5. What does the second part of the apostle’s response (verse 5-6) show us about the importance of effectively caring for the poor?

6. How could you respond to someone who said “Caring about the poor or issues of justice is just for progressive types” (from this passage as well as your knowledge of the Bible in general)

7. Verse 7 records the result of how the apostles navigated this issue “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly”

Hypothetically, what could you imagine may have happened if:
a) The apostles allocated all of their time and effort simply into ensuring the poor were fed at the expense of teaching the gospel?
b) The issue of neglected widows was left unaddressed and they were left to go hungry?

APPLY

1. Are you more inclined to downplay the importance of sharing the gospel, or of cultivation a generosity and care about justice?

2. What would it look like for you to ensure you did not leave either of these areas neglected.

PRAY

For us as individuals, but also for the church as a whole that we would be able to fulfil our mission to share the Gospel and uphold a tangible love for the needy, vulnerable and marginalised.