DYNAMIC SMALL GROUPS

ACTS 2 Small Group Model

Four Key Elements of this model: Community, Nurture, Worship, & Mission *

-Making Disciples, not just followers of Christ

Building a Community of Faith**

Things to Think about :

Christian Community

is developed in small groups with People of Differing Backgrounds (Eph 2:17-22)

brings people together through their common bond of having Accepted Christ

is a Shared Experience or their Journey

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be Imitators of God

Christian Community

is a place where we start to PRACTICE our Christian Life together.

a place where we are formed and develop our Walk with Christ.

Christian Community

Is a place to Learn about being unselfish, Kind, Patient & Trustworthy

by experiencing God’s Love, Acceptance, & forgiveness

SUMMARIZE:

Small groups are God’s way of Teaching us how to live a connected life … or…a life “In Community,” where we learn obedience to God brings His Blessing, acceptance of Christ insures us of eternal life, and loving others as we love ourselves demonstrates Christ TO the WORLD!!

* Small Group Idea Book & The Big Book on Small Groups

I. ACTS 2:42-45

Acts 2:42–45 NASB95

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

1. They (Those who had committed themselves, those who were following Christ closely) Devoted themselves...

They “closely associated”

They stayed close

They were firm

They remained faithful & persistant

They were Obstinate

Stubborn, Determined, Tenacious

Unmoved, Inflexible, Adamant

2. What did they DEVOTE themselves to:

They were consistent in their constant commitment to Christ, They were Faithful and firm in their belief in Christ as the Son or God -The Messiah… they were obstinately attached to continuing what Christ had brought to them:

a. They DEVOTED themselves to the APOSTLES TEACHING

i. The instruments of delivering NEW LIFE

ii. The Teachings of OR doctrines taught to the Disciples, now Apostles of Christ

iii. Apostle = one sent with a message, an Ambassador-one who represents the Kingdom of God

iv. The Disciples who had remained FAITHFUL to Christ and to the TEACHINGS of Christ

b. They DEVOTED themselves to The FELLOWSHIP

i. Koinonia = a participating together ...

ii. having Close mutual relationships

iii. Sharing of things of need

iv. Contributing Willingly

v. the Association with believers

c. They DEVOTED themselves to The BREAKING OF THE BREAD

i. Tearing of a loaf into pieces

ii. it mean the conveying of spiritual nourishment

iii. Sharing of the resources that they had

iv. Sharing a MEAL together- a Love Feast or regular meal

d. They DEVOTED themselves to PRAYER to WORSHIP

ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS

i. Prayers of Adoration - A

ii. Prayers of Confession - C

iii. Prayers of Thanksgiving - T

iv. Prayers of Supplication - S

SPEAKING TO GOD ABOUT EVERYTHING

3. The RESULTS of their DEVOTION

a. They became more like Christ

i. Everyone “kept feeling” means TO BECOME or TAKES PLACE

ii. They BECAME ONE - United in Faith, United in purpose, United in Mission

b. “Many wonders and Signs took place...

i. MANY = a lot, much, Great

ii. WONDERS = unexplainable marvels

- Displays in the heavenlies

Served to FORETELL impending events

iii. SIGNS = Miracles, things only God could do

an event with special meaning

a reality with GREAT SIGNIFICANCE

A MIRACLE with GREAT MEANING

SUMMARY:

The early Christians were dedicated to CHRIST and devoted to His WORD.... as a result, They became more like Christ and less like the ROMANS/people of the day. In their Obedience others saw their Christ-likeness and as they lived their Christian life in full devotion to the GOD that they worshipped, GREAT MIRACLES took place.

Acts 2:46–47 NASB95

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

THE BOOK OF ACTS SMALL GROUP DYNAMIC

These people were determined

they Attended Church day by day - They received NURTURE v.46

They lived in COMMUNITY -attending small groups - took Meals together v.46

They had joy in their lives

They were authentic and genuine = sincerity of heart

c. They were WORSHIPERS v.47

d. They were having favor with all the people - they had a MISSION

SMALL GROUPS are a LARGE part of Gods plan in reaching the World for Christ.

SMALL GROUP MUST INCLUDE:

The building of a COMMUNITY of Faith

The NURTURING of the community of Faith

The WORSHIPING of God in the community of Faith

The MISSION of reaching out to others that are not involved with the community of Faith.

READ THE LETTER - “I was Wrong”