Notes from April 12/13

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders

The Early Church Community in Acts

Pastor Pavi Thomas

April 12-13, 2008

Acts 2:22-3:19

Outline

1. The early believers devoted themselves to (Acts 2:42):
1. The apostles teaching
2. Fellowship
3. The breaking of bread
4. Prayer
2. Four words shape this communal practice of breaking bread (Acts 2:46, Luke 22:19-20):
1. Take
2. Bless
3. Break
4. Give

Content

1. Peter preaches that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the King of Kings and is the one whom God promised through the prophets (Acts 2:22-36).
2. Three thousand people repented and were baptized in response to Peter’s sermon. Everyone was filled with awe (Acts 2:37-41).
3. God raised up a community of believers that devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer.
4. They experienced a beautiful picture of community that caused them to do amazing things. (Acts 2:42-46).
5. As people “we give up what we value less to get what we value more”.
6. More people repented and turned to God daily (Acts 2:47-3:19).
7. In the middle of all these amazing things that God was doing, the believers took time to break bread together (Acts 2:46).
8. They broke bread because they saw the fulfillment of the promises of God in Jesus. They saw his body given for them, his blood shed for them on the cross (Luke 22:19-20).
9. Christ:
1. ‘Takes’ us as we are
2. ‘Blesses’ us by offering our gifts to the Father with thanksgiving
3. ‘Breaks’ us in gentleness and love
4. ‘Gives’ us back more than we gave

Aim

God is the author of true community. As a community we break bread together in remembrance and response to Christ.

Application Questions

1. What were the characteristics of the community found in Acts chapter two and three?
2. Share a time when you experienced true community. What was it that allowed for this true community to exist?
3. How does breaking bread together (communion) build community?
4. Jesus took, blessed, broke and gave Peter. How has he done this in your life?

Extras

• Isaiah 53 – how Jesus was taken, blessed, broken and given