Sermon Recap
Pastor Justin Kendrick explored the profound need for community as illustrated in Acts chapter 2. He highlighted that it is in biblical community that our own brokenness is exposed and that we learn to elevate the gospel narrative over our own. He addressed the three distinctives that the early believers devoted themselves to, emphasizing that they were motivated by their understanding of who God is. He urged personal sacrifice and commitment to foster a thriving church environment based on love, acceptance, and transformative relationships. He concluded that true community is built not on shared interests, but on the shared mission of following Jesus together, which leads to deeper connections and a vibrant church life.
Ice Breaker Option
If you can have an unlimited supply of something, what would you want?
HEAD -Read Acts 2:37-47
• Explain the context of this account. What prompted 3,000 individuals to accept Peter’s message and be baptized?
• What were the actions of the believers in this passage? What in this passage speaks to their motivation for these actions?
• What was the result of these actions? How do we see God's mission being fulfilled?
HEART
• What stands out to you about life in Christian community from this text? What is challenging? What is encouraging?
• How does the idea that God is a giver, not a taker, influence the way you approach life in the Christian community?
HANDS
• Where do you need your community to come alongside you? Are you holding onto a narrative that needs to be supplanted by the truth of the gospel?
• Is there someone who you need to forgive or someone you have offended? What steps do you need to take to reconcile that relationship?
• What specific self-giving actions can you take in the church community this week, whether it’s time, support, or love?
PRAYER
• Pray for deeper connections within our community. Pray for joy and unity among the members of our church.
• Ask for healing for those who have been hurt in relationships.
• Seek God’s guidance in how to serve and support one another.
Going Deeper:
Use the Reading Plan to read, reflect, pray and journal through the book of Acts.