To Proclaim and Practice the Living Christ

Acts 1-2

November 17, 2024

Joel Miles

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

Summary of Acts 1–2

1. Overview Reflection:

• How would you summarize Acts 1–2 so far?

Practices of the Early Church

1. Identifying Practices:

• Read Acts 2:42–47. What specific practices or elements of the early church are mentioned in this passage?

1. The Significance of the Four Practices (Acts 2:42):

• Why does the text begin with the four practices listed in verse 42 (teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer)?
• How do these practices remind us of:
• Who God is
• What He has done
• Who we are
• What we are called to do

1. Building Community:

• How can the four practices in Acts 2:42 shape us into a community that meets each other's needs?

Mission and Distinction

1. The Growing Community (Acts 2:47):

• Why is it significant that the passage ends with others joining the community?
• How does this demonstrate that the church is both distinct from the world and on mission within it?

Descriptive, Not Prescriptive

1. Understanding the Narrative:

• Why is it important to recognize that Acts 2:42–47 is descriptive (what happened), not prescriptive (commands)?
• How does this passage show that the early church's life was the result of God giving the Holy Spirit?
• How does this realization lead us to humility, recognizing our dependence on God?

Application and Commitment

1. Becoming This Kind of Church:

• What would it take for us to become a church like the one described in Acts 2:42–47?
• How can you personally pray and commit to working toward this vision?