Learning on the way
This sermon focuses on biblical community as demonstrated in Acts 2:40-47, examining how the early church grew from 120 to over 3,000 believers in a short time. The pastor emphasizes that true biblical community goes beyond just meeting together – it involves being together in a deep, meaningful way that transcends cultural, social, and economic boundaries. The early church demonstrated this through their devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread together, and prayer.
Key Points:
- True biblical community transcends cultural, social, and economic boundaries
- The early church was marked by devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer
- Authentic community requires intentional effort and vulnerability
- Healthy biblical community naturally leads to church growth and generosity
- The Holy Spirit unites believers across all barriers, including death
Small Group Questions:
The sermon describes how the early Christians “were together” rather than just “met together.” What’s a meaningful experience you’ve had where you felt truly connected with other believers beyond just being in the same physical space?
In Acts 2:44-45, we see the early Christians sharing their possessions with anyone who had need. Share about a time when someone in a faith community met a practical need in your life. How did that impact your understanding of the biblical community?
The sermon mentions that biblical fellowship doesn’t just happen automatically—it takes work, like mixing ingredients to make cookies. What’s one specific challenge you’ve faced in building deep relationships within a church community?
The sermon mentions that we all have areas where we’re “hard to love.” In what ways have you found it difficult to love certain people in your church community, and how has the gospel helped you work through that?
Acts 2:46 tells us the early Christians met in the temple and in homes, showing they “couldn’t get enough of each other.” Outside of formal church gatherings, what are some ways you’ve experienced or would like to experience the Christian community in everyday life?
The sermon concludes by connecting communion to our unity with believers who have gone before us. How does thinking about the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) and the eternal nature of the Christian community shape how you view your relationships in the church today?
Key Verses
Acts 2:42, Acts 2:44-47, 1 Corinthians 12:13
Application On The Way
This week, make an intentional effort to deepen your connection with your church community. Invite someone from church to share a meal with you, be vulnerable about a struggle you’re facing with your small group, or reach out to someone you don’t know well to build a new relationship.
Verses to Go Deeper:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Romans 12:3-16, Hebrews 10:24-25, Galatians 6:1-10, Philippians 2:1-11, 1 John 1:3-7, Ephesians 4:1-16, Colossians 3:12-17, John 17:20-23, Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 18:15-20, James 5:13-16