Dec 9th, 2012 Book of Acts Wk9 The Rhythms Of Church: IN

This week we’re in the book of Acts, continuing the discussion on the rhythms of church and the IN that Jesus teaches.

If you want a study tool to go along with the podcast, see Lift Notes here:

The book of Acts: The Rhythms of Church: IN

December 9^nd , 2012  by Kasey Crawford

Today’s Passage: Acts 2:42-47

(Review) Acts 1-2:41

In the first chapter, the author (Luke) gives us a framework, a lens, through which to understand everything else that happens in the book, namely: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…to the end of the earth    Acts 1:8

(New) Acts 2:42-47

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

What did they devote themselves to?

The early church devoted themselves to some simple, _____________   ____________ of life that helped them continue to go deeper in the experience of God in their life.

What we see in the Acts a church that is not busy, rushed, burned out….  We see a people investing in a new way of life of following Jesus to see heaven break in more and more through simple, intentional rhythms.

They ___________ to do a few important rhythms _______ and they did them over and over.

We want to __________ to do a few things ________ that bear great fruit, rather than fill ourselves with activities that don’t bear much fruit.

Today we are going to look at the rhythm of IN:

Pursuing _______- _____________ relationships within a church ___________.

Jesus modeled the rhythm of “IN”:

“He called to him those he wanted…He appointed twelve – that they might be with him…” Mark 3:13-14

Much of the discipleship that Jesus does is simply coming out of the context of doing _______ ________ together.

Jesus modeled for us that human beings are meant to live in a life-giving community by devoting themselves to ______ ____________.

The Disciples learned the rhythm of IN from Jesus and taught it to the first church: (Acts 2:42-47)

“And they devoted themselves to” (IN) through:

The ____________, “koinonia” v.42

Koinonia is: “a mutually beneficial ________of ______________” that is often used in greek to describe the bond of ___________.

Church in its essence is meant to be an extended ____________.

Have you devoted yourself to pursuing church becoming a family to you?

        The _____________ of _________ in ____________. v.42,46

Meals in homes are a sacred practice where life happens and therefore where what God has _________ and is __________ is truly on ___________ to be shared.

Have you devoted yourself to growing deeper as a family with others through opening your home and sharing meals together?

Being “___________” and having “all things in _________.”

It is very different than U.S. culture which teaches us to treat church as a consumer __________ instead of the biblical mindset of “we are in this together” where we have _____________ and ___________  of the well being of ______ church family.

 Have you devoted yourself to the ownership and support of the well being of your church family?

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