Life On Mission: Part 4 – Connect Deeply
Acts 2:42-47
“…I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” Matthew 16:18b (p.747)
Biblical Authority: We live under and surrender to the authority of God’s Word by:
Gathering Purposefully: We embrace a consistent rhythm of worship, inspiration, and motivation while emphasizing life transformation by growing to be more like Jesus.
Serving Selflessly: We use our God-given gifts, talents, and passions to serve the ministry and mission of the Church, the body of Christ.
Giving Generously: We live a lifestyle of generosity where Biblical financial stewardship is embraced as an act of worship.
Connecting Deeply: We pursue a life in a community that contributes to a growing relationship with Jesus and others.
Series Memory Verse: “‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24 (p.747)
- Connecting Deeply Grows My Faith.
- Share life with one another.
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.” Acts 2:42–43 (p.832)
(Disciples) “’Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?’”… (Jesus) “’I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’” Matthew 26:17–18 (p.757)
- Encourage one another.
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” Acts 2:44–45 (p.832)
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1 (p.823)
- Show up for one another.
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46–47 (p.832)
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (p.760)
My Next Step This Week:
_____ I commit to connecting deeply in a Life Group.
LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION
One Thing: Connecting Deeply Grows My Faith.
Memory Verse: Matthew 16:24 (p.747)
Bible Background: The Believers Form a Community, Acts 2:42-47
CONVERSATION STARTER
// What are some of the deepest connections that you’ve made? (Friends, family, or coworkers) What does it look like to connect deeply in a relationship? What are some of those attributes that differ in our other relationships?
WEEKEND REVIEW
Connecting Deeply Grows My Faith
How you can live that out:
// Was there anything that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
// Read Acts 2:42-47 (p.832). At Alive, one of our core values is connecting deeply. This means that we pursue a life in a community that contributes to a growing relationship with Jesus and others.
- What does it look like to connect deeply and show up for one another?
- What can you learn from the church in our verse about showing up for one another?
// Read 1 Peter 4:8 (p.936).
- Why is compassion and love necessary for deep connections?
- Can you connect deeply with others without love? Why or why not?
// Think back over your life, what are some of the most powerful relationships you’ve had? What are some of the common elements that make them different than other relationships?
- What would it take for you to cultivate and foster those types of relationships every day?
- Is there someone in your life right now that you need to connect deeply with and share the love of Jesus?
// Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (p.907).
- Why does God want us to build up one another?
- What are some everyday ways that you can help build up those around you?
// Our verse (Acts 2:42-47) states that the key to connecting deeply as a community is to gather together in fellowship, share our common faith, and grow in our spiritual lives together.
- Is there an experience that you have had connecting deeply that has helped you grow in any area of your life?
- How can we live out our relationship with Jesus and share that with others?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The early church was under intense persecution. Depending on the area you lived, you might have been heavily persecuted for being a follower of Jesus. This made connecting deeply very difficult. The early church was originally called the “Way.” This was a reference to Jesus calling Himself the “Way, the truth, and the life” in John 14:6. Also, Isaiah 40:3 says followers must “prepare the ‘way’ of the Lord.” The church prepared the way of the Lord by connecting deeply and living different lives than the rest of the world. Their lives became their testimony and propelled the message of Jesus forward.
NEXT STEP
My Next Step This Week:
__ I commit to connecting deeply in a Life Group.
DIGGING DEEPER
Read John 13:34-35 (p 823). Jesus calls us to reflect His love that He has given us and pass that love on to others. This is an act of connecting ourselves to Jesus and to others. Read the following verses over the course of this next week as you take your next step and reflect on what the Bible says connecting looks like and does in our lives and the lives of others.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 (p.906) 1 Timothy 1:5 (p.912) 1 Peter 1:22 (p.934)