PAO Session 2

Session 2

Day 2

As far as the second session, what exactly is our approach? Are we all teaching aspects of Christian life from (see below)?

- Devoted to the apostles’ teaching (reading and studying the Bible out loud and with one another) - Devoted to the fellowship (cast the true vision of Baseball Chapel; the physical gathering of Jesus followers)

- Devoted to the breaking of bread (shared meals & Lord’s Supper) Me

This is believers Paul is talking about, clearly, but being devoted to the fellowship flows right into how does the fellowship spend its time.

They were studying the apostles teaching, and they were breaking bread and praying. I’m talking about breaking bread.

We are all fully aware of the Lords supper, and maybe that’s what we think of when we hear “being devoted to the breaking of bread.”

Jesus breaking bread and giving wine, both symbols of His body and blood being sacrificed and poured out for us on the cross.

He calls us to do this often in remembrance of Him, and so we celebrate the Lords supper in our churches regularly.

The idea of the believers in Jesus gathering together and eating is all over scripture, and here in Acts chapter 2 it’s talking about not only the Lords supper but more.

The idea of the believers in Jesus gathering together and eating is all over scripture, and Acts chapter 2 is talking about not only the Lords supper but more.

Jesus was all about breaking bread, giving thanks and sharing meals with people.

In Middle Eastern culture and in Bible times sharing a meal together had deep significance.

It meant a desire to feed someone, to bless someone, to deepen a level of friendship or because of an already deep relationship, and so you’d meet and eat.

So let’s look quickly at the life of Jesus, and then talk about the significance for you and me.

We know about the “big” meals Jesus provided, the feeding of the 5K and the feeding of the 4K, those were done out of compassion and to feed people, but Jesus also used the opportunity to teach truths and reveal that it takes a deep commitment to be a true follower of His.

It was around a table of food Jesus taught Simon the Pharisee that those who realize how sinful they are, and how much they’ve been forgiven will love Jesus more.

One of the first thing Jesus did post resurrection, He appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, it’s at the culmination of their time together, when Jesus gives thanks to God and breaks the bread, then they realize it’s Jesus with them.

But during a season what does this look like? What else was going on with the church in regards to the breaking of bread?

Luke 24:30–32 ESV

When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Luke 24:30 - Devoted to the prayers (a rhythm of prayer, using the Jesus Creed & the Lord’s Prayer daily) - Devoted to loving others (they had favor with all people and their numbers grew)

Or at the reinstating of Peter, it’s Jesus who’s fixing breakfast for Peter, James, John and Nathanial and Thomas the twin on the beach.

Luke 24:40–43 ESV

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Luke 24:40-43

Then at the reinstating of Peter, it’s Jesus who’s fixing breakfast for Peter, James, John and Nathanial and Thomas the twin on the beach.

John 21:15–19 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

John 21:9-14 - Devoted to the prayers (a rhythm of prayer, using the Jesus Creed & the Lord’s Prayer daily) - Devoted to loving others (they had favor with all people and their numbers grew)

John 21:9–14 ESV

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

John 21:9–15 ESV

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

John 2

But during a season what does this look like? What else was going on with the church in regards to the breaking of bread?

He calls us to do this often in remembrance of Him,

The times of eating together were great times of fellowship for the believers. For deepening their relationship with each other and with the Lord.

They were times of encouragement just being together in a world that for the most part was opposed to them and their message.

It can be the same during a season.

We as followers of Jesus can take time, we need to take time, and just eat together and hang out.

It can be a time with a team mate one on one who’s going through something or to just get to know a guy better.

It can be as a group for a Bible study or to just hang out, to encourage each other as we all live in a world or on a team that is opposed to us and our message.

So, suggestions, take guys to lunch, meet up and eat together as a group of believers, do a road Bible study and order in breakfast, reach out to the young guys and just get to know them better and for them to get to know you better.

All for the purpose of hopefully of helping others know Jesus better. This will be an encouragement to them and also to you.

Things I did as a player

Adjoining rooms of a suite, not my suite, to hang out in and hold each other accountable

Go to breakfast or lunch with different guys

Bible studies in the room post game and order room service, ice cream sudays

Breakfast Bible studies, do these now.

Invite guys over for dinner, pizza oven and invite young players over.

Remembering that we are servants of the King and we are called to use the time to grow His kingdom will also help keep your season and your performance in it’s proper place.

- Devoted to the prayers (a rhythm of prayer, using the Jesus Creed & the Lord’s Prayer daily) - Devoted to loving others (they had favor with all people and their numbers grew)