TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47b
Read: Acts 2:42-47
Listen: Acts 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Following his resurrection, Jesus commissions his followers to make more followers (see Matthew 28:16-20). With the help of the Holy Spirit, this small band of Jesus’s disciples grew—within a few months—from a fledgling few to a prospering community of several thousand. How did this happen? What was behind such staggering growth? The book of Acts records how the early church’s growth was connected to their devotion to at least four things as a community: testifying, teaching, fellowship and meeting needs.
These ways of life were central to the early church and should also be for us. This week, we will consider each of these four commitments in turn. As these commitments were a significant part of the early church’s health and growth—through the Holy Spirit’s empowering work—they will also be a part of any vibrant local church’s health and growth. As we begin this week, take some time to carefully consider each of these commitments and how God might desire to help you grow in one of these areas.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Begin this week with a prayer of openness, asking God to help you see and understand how he wants to work in your life through the truths and commitments we will be considering— testifying, teaching, fellowship and meeting needs. Aim to identify one this week that you will intentionally focus on and seek to grow in.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
December is CELEBRATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
