Acts 2:42-47 Pentecost Sunday

Outline:The Spirit filled church is a church of devoted people.The Spirit filled church is devoted to correct teaching.The Spirit filled church is devoted to caring for the congregation.The Spirit filled church is devoted to communion with God and man.The Spirit filled church is devoted to the commission. Jesus is the centre of the Spirit filled church’s devotion.Home group questionsActs 2 really emphasises the community aspect of church. Where do you think the current Western evangelical church may be lacking compared to how we understand the beginnings of the church? Why do you think that is the case?How should we reconcile the fact that the believers “devoted themselves” and yet it is the Spirit’s filling that motivates us? (Consider Philippians 1:6; 2:13–14; 2 Timothy 1:5–7; Romans 12:1–2.) What would you say is the difference between devotion and attendance?Why do you think the apostles’ teaching is listed first? (Consider Ephesians 2:19–20.) Practically speaking, how can a church drift away from being centred on God’s Word and onto other things? How would you sum up what the church’s preaching and teaching should be focused on? (Consider Colossians 1:9–14.) How can this kind of teaching remain relevant for every generation?Verses 44–45 show believers holding possessions lightly and meeting needs within the church family. Without becoming “Christian socialism,” what would it look like for our church to take Acts 2-style responsibility for one another’s needs?What are some modern practices in the church that may negatively affect the deepening of community? How could we practically encourage community across genders, ages, and socio-economic differences? How could a strong community encourage members to be missional and effective in evangelism?Verse 46 encourages both the large gathering and smaller gatherings of believers. Why is it important that believers are involved in both?Knowing that the church devoted themselves to prayer and praise, how could we encourage more of this in our own lives and in the life of the church?How does devotion to Jesus in each individual Christian foster a church like the one in Acts 2?