Disciple Making Thrives in Community

The Big Idea:

Disciple-making flourishes when believers learn, live and love together in Christ centered community. This will help us keep in action as we see our passage this evening, as we did last week Act2:42-47.

Acts 2:42–43 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

Acts 2:44–45 NASB95

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Acts 2:46–47 NASB95

46 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, 47 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.

Why do you think the early church was “continually” devoting themselves to these practices? What do you think these practices look like for us today?

If you start a fire do you put one log or multiple logs on the fire? Just like a fire burns hotter and longer with multiple logs together, our faith burns stronger when we stay connected in teaching, in fellowship and in prayer. A lone long will grow cold — and so will a believer who isolates from the body of Christ.

Point 1:

Early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship and prayers (Act2:42)

Disciple-making happens best in relational, communal settings.

We grow as disciples when we learn and live out faith together.

What practices in our church, our fellowship today help you feel most connected to Christ and to others? How can we help others to feel that?

(Transition) - As they learned and prayed together, the early believers didn’t just grow in knowledge- they grew in love for one another. And that love overflowed into meeting each other’s needs.

Point 2:

Can you think of a time when someone in the church met a need of yours, maybe even without you asking, how did that impact your faith (Nick, Texas).

The early believers share their lives generously, meeting each other’s needs (Act2:44-45).

Disciple-making requires vulnerability and mutual support.

Community creates a safe space for spiritual growth.

Why is vulnerability so difficult, even among Christians?

(Transition) That kind of generosity and care did not go unnoticed. Outsiders saw something different — a community of genuine love that made them curious about Jesus

Point 3:

How do you think outside, and be honest, would describe our community of believers, if they spent a week among us?

The early church’s unity and love drew others to faith (Act2:47).

Like a lighthouse does not shout out, it just shines out and lights the way of safety, as Christians that is what we are light, a light to lead people to the safety in Christ.

A vibrant, disciple-making community is a powerful witness to the world.

Our collective faithfulness invites others to encounter Jesus.

What could we do as a church that would naturally cause others to ask, “Why are they different?”

Reflection & Practical

Personal Reflection: Are you actively participating in our faith community? Or are you on the sidelines?

Maybe you noticed here in the passage in Act 2 no one was a spectator. Am I contributing to my community’s spiritual growth, or am I just receiving?

Practical step: Think of one person this week you can intentionally encourage, pray for, or invite to fellowship.

Community challenge: Organize a service project to demonstrate Christ’s love in our area, plan it out, get people to engage and help with it.

Time Permitting questions:

Devotion to Teaching, Fellowship, and Prayer

What’s one thing you’ve learned in fellowship that you might not have learned on your own?

If our church was “continually devoted” to prayer, what would that look like in practice?

Sharing Life Generously

Why do you think generosity was so natural for the early church?

What are practical ways we can meet needs in our church without embarrassing or shaming the person in need?

Witness to the world

If someone observed your daily life, what would it tell them about your faith?

What’s one thing we could start doing together that would make outsiders curious about Jesus?

Wrap up questions

Which of the Act 2 habits (teaching fellowship, breaking bread, prayer) do you personally need to grow in the most?

How can our group keep each other accountable in living this out?