The Importance of Gospel CommunitySample

One of the very best examples of people living in community occured in the early church as described in Acts 2:42:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

According to this verse, it’s obvious that the early believers devoted themselves to four simple practices: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. I think we would all agree that there isn’t anything fancy about these four practices. They are all actually extremely doable!

1. Biblical teaching: Are you involved in a small group or reading and discussing the Bible with a group of close friends? Reading His Word alone is valuable for sure, but learning from and being held accountable by others is important for growth too.
2. Fellowship: This simply means "having things in common, or participation, society, friendship." When you surround yourself with like-minded people, it builds you up, encourages you and equips you to go out and share the love of Christ with those who don’t know Him.
3. Breaking of Bread: Some scholars say this refers to having communion to commemorate the Lord’s Supper and others say it literally means sharing a meal together. Regardless, it’s been my experience that when you gather around a table together to share a meal or the Lord’s Supper, something powerful happens. It’s intimate and makes people feel safe and welcome. Guards come down, people open up and healing happens.
4. Prayer: All prayer is powerful, but praying with others allows the Holy Spirit to knit hearts together as only He can.

Four Simple Steps. And there’s one powerful result (which we’ll read about tomorrow!)

Dear God, we want to follow the example of the early church and be devoted to a group of fellow believers. If we already have a group of committed Christians we are surrounded by, help us to incorporate these four disciplines into our gatherings. And if we don’t already have a group, would you please lead us to one? May You be glorified in it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.