ACTS - WEEK 5
A community formed by the Gospel.
Over dinner or before the study, ask if anyone is planning on inviting anyone to Church over the Easter weekend.
READ ACTS 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
DISCUSS
1. As you read over this passage, what aspects do you find exciting or encouraging about what is described?
2. a) What are the the four things that the disciples are devoted to in verse 42?
b) Why are each of these things essential to a growing church?
c) What would it look like to be devoted to these things today?
3. What practices described here would lead to a deep-close knit community?
4. What are the main things that would get in the way of forming deep, close-knit church communities today?
5. The description of the way this new family of believers cared for one another seems quite radical. Does it seem out of the question for our church to think about selling our property or possessions to help someone else in our church in need?
6. What aspects of a church community do you think would be compelling to outsiders and why?
7. Is there anything we need to be working on as a group in order to better encourage and love one another as a community?
Share and pray.
Are you feeling connected to church community at the moment? Is there anything that is making it hard for you to really feel that you are a part of community?
What would it look like for you to grow as someone who loves and cares for others in our church community?