Development and the Acts 2 Early Church Experience Site of the first Life Group!

Development and the Acts 2 Development and the Acts 2 Early Church ExperienceEarly Church Experience

Site of the first Site of the first Life Group!Life Group!

A = AccountabilityA = Accountability

B = BelongingB = Belonging

C = CareC = Care

D = DevelopmentD = Development



C = CareC = Care


In some ways, these In some ways, these pagan, drunken, vulgar pagan, drunken, vulgar

fellows enjoy better fellows enjoy better community than we do.community than we do.



C = CareC = Care


However, their However, their community does not community does not

measure up to the measure up to the biblical standard.biblical standard.

DevelopmentDevelopment

1.1. God wants every believer to grow into spiritual God wants every believer to grow into spiritual maturity and spiritual leadership.maturity and spiritual leadership.



† Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’”our image, in our likeness…’”

† Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”brothers.”



† Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”and perfect.”


1.1. God wants every believer to grow into spiritual maturity and God wants every believer to grow into spiritual maturity and spiritual leadership [Romans 8:29; 12:1-2].spiritual leadership [Romans 8:29; 12:1-2].

2.2. God uses other believers to help us grow spiritually.God uses other believers to help us grow spiritually.




Growth leads to Growth leads to flowerinfloweringg……

Good roots lead to Good roots lead to ggrowthrowth……

Our Our rootsroots are our are our biblical community!biblical community!




Love of GodCommunity

with BelieversInfluence with Non-believers






Worship Service

Quiet Time

Life Group

Service Team

Prayer Outreach

Christ’s Witness






Worship Service

Quiet Time

Life Group

Service Team

Prayer Outreach

Christ’s Witness

intimate relationships…intimate relationships… and thus the prayer support, and thus the prayer support, encouragement, & accountability encouragement, & accountability needed to consistently participate needed to consistently participate in the other five steps.in the other five steps.




† Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”approaching.”



2.2. God uses other believers to help us grow spiritually [Hebrews God uses other believers to help us grow spiritually [Hebrews 10:24-25; all the “one another” verses].10:24-25; all the “one another” verses].

3.3. The Bible defines spiritual leadership and maturity.The Bible defines spiritual leadership and maturity.





† Galatians 5:22-25: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, Galatians 5:22-25: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”also walk by the Spirit.”





BB lovelove joyjoy

C-C- peacepeace patiencepatience

BB kindnesskindness goodnessgoodness

B+B+ faithfulnessfaithfulness gentlenessgentleness

self-control self-control Why aren’t all the grades “AWhy aren’t all the grades “A”?”?





† How well do your morals match up with Christ’s?How well do your morals match up with Christ’s?

† How obedient are you to God’s revelation?How obedient are you to God’s revelation?





† How well do your priorities match up with Christ’s?How well do your priorities match up with Christ’s?

Your Ratio compared to Christ’s Ratio:Your Ratio compared to Christ’s Ratio:

# hours of entertainment # hours of entertainment ÷ # hours serving others÷ # hours serving others





† How well do your morals match up with Christ’s?How well do your morals match up with Christ’s?

† How obedient are you to God’s revelation?How obedient are you to God’s revelation?

† How well do your priorities match up with Christ’s?How well do your priorities match up with Christ’s?

† Are you truly following Christ in the positive Are you truly following Christ in the positive commands of scripture?commands of scripture?





† 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example as I follow 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”the example of Christ.”


3.3. The Bible defines spiritual leadership and maturity.The Bible defines spiritual leadership and maturity.† Ephesians 4:11-16: “It was he who gave some to be Ephesians 4:11-16: “It was he who gave some to be

apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”



2.2. God uses other believers to help us grow spiritually [Hebrews God uses other believers to help us grow spiritually [Hebrews 10:24-25; all the “one another” verses]. 10:24-25; all the “one another” verses].

3.3. The Bible defines spiritual leadership and maturity [Galatians 5:22-The Bible defines spiritual leadership and maturity [Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 4:11-16].25; Ephesians 4:11-16].

4.4. Spiritual Leaders Multiply.Spiritual Leaders Multiply.





4.4. Spiritual Leaders Multiply.Spiritual Leaders Multiply.Start

10 Groups100 people

in community

2 Years Later20 Groups200 people

in community


in community


in community






Church Church Multiplication:Multiplication: Grace Baptist New ChurchPlants

One Life Group New Life GroupPlants

Group Group Multiplication:Multiplication:



Bob

Keith

Will

Jason






† Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”commanded you…”





4.4. Spiritual Leaders Multiply [Matthew 28:19-20].Spiritual Leaders Multiply [Matthew 28:19-20].

The Early Church in Acts 2:41-47The Early Church in Acts 2:41-47

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they beganthings in common; and they began selling their property and selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.were being saved.


So then, those who had received his wordreceived his word were baptizedbaptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 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. 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.


So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to thedevoting themselves to the apostles' teachingapostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of to the breaking of bread and tobread and to prayerprayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of a sense of aweawe; and many wonders and signsmany 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. Day by day Day by day continuing with one mind in the templecontinuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking breaking bread from house to housebread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising Godpraising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day ...


So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowshipfellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayerprayer. 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 all those who had believed were together and had all things in commonthings in common; and they began selling their property began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with alland possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by dayDay by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals togethertaking 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.


Connecting to GodConnecting to God

† devoted to biblical teachingdevoted to biblical teaching

† devoted to prayerdevoted to prayer

† awe and reverence for Godawe and reverence for God

† experienced God’s workexperienced God’s work

† worshipped dailyworshipped daily

† praised Godpraised God

Connecting to Each OtherConnecting to Each Other

† devoted to fellowship devoted to fellowship

† prayed for each otherprayed for each other

† devoted to sharing mealsdevoted to sharing meals

† together daily & hospitabletogether daily & hospitable

† shared their possessionsshared their possessions

† gave generously to the needygave generously to the needy

Connecting to the outside communityConnecting to the outside community

† people were added to their fellowship day by day.people were added to their fellowship day by day.


WorshipWorship: devoted to prayer; awe and reverence for God; devoted to prayer; awe and reverence for God; experienced God’s work; daily worship; praised God experienced God’s work; daily worship; praised God

FellowshipFellowship: devoted to each other; prayed for each other; : devoted to each other; prayed for each other; shared meals; hospitable and together dailyshared meals; hospitable and together daily

ServiceService: shared possessions; gave generously to the needy: shared possessions; gave generously to the needy

GrowthGrowth: continually devoted to biblical teaching: continually devoted to biblical teaching

EvangelismEvangelism: people were added to their fellowship day by day: people were added to their fellowship day by day


Site of the first Site of the first Life Group!Life Group!


1. God wants us to grow spiritually, to be more like Christ.1. God wants us to grow spiritually, to be more like Christ.

2. Growth is necessary for the church to be effective in ministry.2. Growth is necessary for the church to be effective in ministry.

3. Growth occurs fully only when we are in biblical community.3. Growth occurs fully only when we are in biblical community.

4. True biblical community is modeled for us by the early church 4. True biblical community is modeled for us by the early church of Acts and described to us by New Testament teachings.of Acts and described to us by New Testament teachings.

5. True biblical community means doing life together. 5. True biblical community means doing life together.

† Sunday morning worship togetherSunday morning worship together

† Life Group, where we covenant with one another to do all the Life Group, where we covenant with one another to do all the one another commands one another commands

† Beyond meetings to be truly intimate with each other in lifeBeyond meetings to be truly intimate with each other in life


ApplicationsApplications::

† Accept these biblical truths.Accept these biblical truths.

† Commit to obeying the scriptural commands about living in Commit to obeying the scriptural commands about living in biblical community. biblical community.

† Try out a life group, and open the door to blessings you have Try out a life group, and open the door to blessings you have never imagined.never imagined.

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Development and the Acts 2 Early Church Experience Site of the first Life Group!

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