In a healthy church the Christian life is shared with others. Use this 5-point checklist to see how your community life stacks up against the early church from the second chapter of Acts.
The Checklist:
- Are you learning God’s word with others? Commit to a mentoring relationship and/or a small group where you can submit to God’s word together. Acts 2:42
- Are you growing closer to God and others through prayer? When you pray in a group you don’t just connect with God; you get closer to each other. Acts 2:42
- Are you generous to those around you? The early church intentionally decreased their standard of living for the sake of the common good. Acts 2:45
- Do you spend time with others? Time is a precious commodity, and where we spend it shows who is important to us. Acts 2:46
- Are you hospitable to others? Breaking bread is an act of worship and a powerful symbol of fellowship with Christ. Acts 2:46
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Describe your experience with church growing up. What were some positives and negatives of those experiences?
- Share about meaningful community in your life. Where have you found it and why were you drawn to it? How have people made you feel like you belong?
- Read Hebrews 10:25. How have you viewed your church attendance/involvement up to now? How does this verse challenge you?
- Read Acts 2:42. Describe what devoted means to you. Would you say you have a devotion to Bible study and prayer? How can you grow in this area?
- Read Acts 2:45. Share about a person who has been generous to you. How did that impact your life? Share a time you were generous to someone. How did that impact their life?
- Read Acts 2:46. How can you be more hospitable? What is a practical step you can take this month to grow in this area?
- How do small groups/mentoring help us to grow in our relationship with God? In your opinion, why is there value in sharing your faith with others?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
