Do you treat church like a grocery store, where you shop and leave? This week, Pastor Rob Hall continued our series through the book of Acts by teaching from Acts 2:42–47. The first believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, shared meals house to house, sold their possessions to meet each other's needs, and worshiped in the temple courts and at home. Rob compared a verse 42 church that only cares for itself with a verse 47 church that only cares about growth. Church is a community we participate in: where could you stop consuming and start participating?
- Ice Breaker: Pastor Rob said that many people treat the church as a grocery store, where they come to shop, buy and then leave. Can you think of some examples of this that you have seen or experienced?
- Read together Acts 2:42–47.
- A Spirit-filled church is a learning community of faith. The early disciples were devoted to the teachings of the apostles and had a hunger to understand God’s truth. What are some ways you have experienced a hunger for God’s word? How has that impacted your spiritual life?
- A Spirit-filled church is a loving community of faith. The early disciples lived in close fellowship with one another, and it was demonstrated by their radical generosity (they had all things in common). Have you ever witnessed this type of generosity in your life or in others?
- A Spirit-filled church is a worshiping community of faith. The early disciples worshiped formally in the temple and informally at home. What are some ways we can worship formally, and ways we could worship informally?
- A Spirit-filled church is a growing community of faith. The early church grew from 120 to 3,000 in one day. According to Acts 2, how did the church grow? How do you feel when things change in the church due to growth?
- Pastor Rob said that there are two types of churches: a verse 42 church (cares only about itself) or a verse 47 church (cares only about growth). What is a balanced way, and what is the impact?
- Reflection: The church is meant to be a community of faith to participate in, not just something we consume. How has it been in your life? What are some ways you can be a participant and not a consumer?
Prayer Prompt: Take a few minutes to pray and ask the Holy Spirit how you can be the church for somebody.
CG Questions written by Tony Kozaczuk
