VIII.
Let’s return to our focus Scripture once more. Let’s read it at least twice today.

First pay attention to how the daily life of these believers is described.

Then, read it once more and as you notice how they lived with one another, ask how this shared life describes or doesn’t describe your experiences in Christian community.

IX.
Acts 2:32-33

This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.

Acts 2:37-47

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

X.
Did you find any parallels to your experiences in Christian communities?

For most of us, Christian community comes in various forms and shapes. We might first think of a local church congregation in which you participate in some manner. Then there is the community that exists in a Sunday School class, or Life Class, or other small group experiences. Maybe that is a Bible study group, a reading group or a mission group.

Let’s not forget that Christian community exists outside the walls of a local church building.

Did you notice in our Scripture passage – “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.”

“… they broke bread at home …”

Do you think that was referring only to having a meal at home? Or might that have been remembering how Jesus “broke bread” with his disciples and knowing they now were included in that meal with Jesus?

XI.
What has your experience in Christian communities included? What was lacking?

What can you and I contribute to those communities?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}