"Church Community" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The apostles and followers of Jesus preached the gospel for the first time on the Day of Pentecost to Jews gathered in Jerusalem. On that day, 3,000 Jews were added to the disciples (around 120 in number), creating the very first church community. The new believers began to share expressions of faith, such as the Lord’s Supper, or communion. This gave them a unique common ground. This shared faith eventually led to shared life. They shared and even sold possessions and belongings to provide for those in need. They went to the temple and ate together. This is what our church community should be like today. God used this first church community to change the hearts of those who saw them, adding to their number day by day those who were being saved, and giving the community a shared mission.

Main Passage

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:40-47 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean to “devote” yourself to something? How have you learned to devote yourself to the Word?

  2. We should share life together by being generous, having compassion, and actively being with those in our church community. How did you learn to value the church and share life with others?

  3. Church communities share a common mission to tell others about Jesus, and lead more people to Him. What’s the mission of our church? What’s your role in it?