There isn’t a situation wasted by God or an experience that He cannot redeem – John Anderson (inspired by Wes Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International)

Acts 2:42-47 – 42 They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. 43 Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44 All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45 They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46 Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Good News Translation)

Reasons Why Going to Church Is a Big Deal

✓ We come together to ____________________ each other through teaching and mentoring

Acts 2:42 – They spent their time in learning from the apostles, . . . (Good News Translation)

Ephesians 4:7, 11-12 – 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. . . . 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (New Living Translation)

▸ What’s your SHAPE? (from Rick Warren)

S – spiritual gifts

H – heart/passion

A – abilities

P – personality

E – experiences

✓ We come together to ____________________ one another through ministry and service

Acts 2:44 – All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. (Good News Translation)

Ephesians 4:12 – . . . to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (New Living Translation)

1 Peter 4:10 – God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (New Living Translation)

Mark 10:45 – For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (New Revised Standard Version)

Matthew 22:35-40 – 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (New Living Translation)