Life Together

Key Takeaways

• The Spirit-filled church has consistent DNA, marked by devotion to teaching, fellowship, worship, and witness.

• Being filled with the Spirit is directly connected to being filled with God's Word.

• True Christian fellowship is built on sacrificial sharing and generosity.

• Biblical worship is both formal and informal, joyful and reverent.

• Evangelism in the early church was a natural overflow of their transformed lives.

Study Questions

• Question 1

  How would you describe your current appetite for God's Word? What practical steps can you take to become more "devoted to the apostles' teaching"?

• Question 2

  How does the idea of fellowship as "togetherness and sacrificial sharing" challenge your current experience of church community? Think of an experience where you've seen or experienced deep Christian fellowship - what made it meaningful?

• Question 3

  Is there a balance between formal and informal worship in your spiritual life? Are you stronger in one area than the other? How can we cultivate both reverence and joy in our worship, both corporately and personally?

• Question 4

  The early church's witness was a natural overflow of their transformed lives. How can we cultivate this kind of authentic, attractive witness in our own lives? When has someone else's changed life drawn you closer to God or made you curious about faith?

• Question 5

  What areas of your life do you most need the Holy Spirit's empowerment right now? How does the idea that you don't have to “earn your place in this community" impact your view of church involvement?

5-Day Devotional

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

Day 1 : Devoted to God's Word

READING :

Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:1-3

DEVOTIONAL :

The early church was marked by an insatiable hunger for God's Word. They "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching" (Acts 2:42), recognizing that true spiritual growth comes from immersing ourselves in Scripture. Just as newborn babies crave milk, we are called to "crave pure spiritual milk" (1 Peter 2:2). Reflect on your own appetite for God's Word. Do you approach Scripture with eagerness and expectation? Ask the Holy Spirit to kindle a deeper hunger for truth in your heart. Consider how you might make Bible study a more central part of your daily routine.

APPLICATION :

Remember, to be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the Word. As you feed on Scripture, allow it to shape your perspective and guide your actions throughout the day. Commit to a daily Bible reading plan or join a Bible study to deepen your engagement with God's Word.

Day 2 : The Joy of Fellowship

READING :

Acts 2:44-47, 1 John 1:3-7

DEVOTIONAL :

The early believers experienced a profound sense of community, sharing everything they had with glad and sincere hearts. This "koinonia" or fellowship wasn't just about shared interests, but a supernatural bond created by the Holy Spirit. It reflected the very nature of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in perfect, self-giving relationship. Consider how you might contribute to, rather than just consume, fellowship within your church community. Are there ways you can sacrificially serve others this week?

APPLICATION :

The antidote to loneliness isn't found in waiting to be noticed, but in actively loving and including others. Identify one way you can sacrificially serve someone in your church community this week.

Day 3 : Worship in Spirit and Truth

READING :

John 4:19-24, Hebrews 12:28-29

DEVOTIONAL :

The early church's worship was both reverent and joyful, formal and informal. They gathered in the temple courts and in homes, recognizing that true worship encompasses all of life. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that the Father seeks those who worship "in the Spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). Reflect on your own approach to worship. Do you tend to emphasize either reverence or joy at the expense of the other? How might you cultivate a more holistic worship life that includes both corporate gatherings and personal devotion?

APPLICATION :

Ask God to deepen your sense of awe at His holiness, while also increasing your joy in His presence. Let your daily life become an act of worship, offering yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). If you typically only engage in formal worship, try incorporating informal worship at home. If you mainly worship informally, commit to regular corporate worship.

Day 4 : Witness Through Community

READING :

Acts 2:47, John 13:34-35

DEVOTIONAL :

The early church's vibrant community life was itself a powerful witness. "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). Their love for one another, overflowing with the joy of salvation, drew others to Christ. Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Consider how your life, and the life of your church community, might be attracting others to Jesus. Are you still experiencing and expressing the "dew of conversion" - that fresh joy in your salvation? If not, bring your fears, guilt, and shame to Jesus anew today, receiving His grace and mercy.

APPLICATION :

Ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle your first love for Christ, that your life might overflow with His goodness in a way that others can't help but notice. Practice sharing a 2-minute version of your faith story, focusing on how Jesus has transformed your life.

Day 5 : Strength in Suffering

READING :

Acts 5:40-42, Romans 5:3-5

DEVOTIONAL :

While Acts 2 paints a beautiful picture of the early church, we know they soon faced intense persecution. Yet even after being flogged, the apostles left "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). Their joy wasn't dependent on circumstances, but on their unshakeable hope in Christ. Reflect on how you respond to trials and suffering. Do you, like the apostles, see difficulties as opportunities to identify with Christ and grow in faith? Ask God to strengthen your inner being, that you might face challenges with supernatural joy and peace.

APPLICATION :

Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). As you endure with grace, your life becomes a powerful testimony to the sustaining power of God's love. Spend time each day this week asking the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you for the life described in Acts 2. Ask God to help you grow in devotion to teaching, fellowship, worship, and witness.

This Week’s Liturgy & Playlist

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

People: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 95:1-2

Confession of Faith

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Confession of Sin

God of all generosity, we confess that we have not devoted ourselves to the teaching of your Word, the fellowship of your people, the breaking of bread, and prayer. We have pursued our own interests over the needs of your church and neglected the generosity and unity of heart to which you have called us. Forgive us for failing to live as your Spirit-filled people. Restore in us a love for your church and your mission. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:19

Looking Ahead

Next week’s scripture: Acts 3:1-10