Passage: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.
Kingdom Kids (and everyone) Activity
Community is a vital foundation as we seek to become more like Jesus.
At the end of Acts 2 we see a picture of the early church community.
This passage gives us a picture of early Christian community life. Each of the things the new Christians practiced are given often in the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament letters, as essential aspects of the Christian living. For this reason we will use this passage to teach us about effective community life. (Ajith Fernando in his commentary on Acts)
Let us learn from some of the Old Testament heroes.
1. Devoted to the Apostles Teaching
2. Devoted to Prayer
3. Devoted to the Fellowship
- Love God
- Love one another
- Togetherness and Oneness
- Selflessness and Generosity
- Giving and Accepting Help
- Worshiping Together
- Eating Together
- Praising Together
4. Devoted to the Breaking of Bread
- Eating Together
- Remembering and keeping the love and sacrifice of Jesus central
There are three ways in which the new Testament complete the sentence, “the son of man came …’
‘the son of man him not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45)
‘the son of man came to seek and save the lost.’ (Luke 19:10)
‘the son of man has come eating and drinking …’ (Luke 7:34)
Robert Karris concludes: ‘in Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, have a meal, or coming from a meal.’ (Tim Chester in his book “A Meal with Jesus”)
Community is a way of life
When the community of believers fully embraces these activities we see in Acts 2, when it will be the community God desires it to be and be a place that positively impacts the community around it.
A place where ‘Everyone is filled with awe,’
A place that ‘enjoys the favour of all the people.’
A place where ‘the Lord adds to our number daily those who were being saved.‘
Apply
Thinking about the church, now is the light of what we have just looked at, do you think we have to change?
How can we seek to develop you church community and now will that effect the community around us?
What have I found interesting?
What has challenged my life, attitudes and actions?
How would this habit help me to become more like Jesus?
How would this habit help me to introduce others to Jesus?
What practical steps do I need to take to incorporate this habit into my life?
Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?
Is there someone I should to share with, pray with or encourage?
Trinity Deeper 