March 8 | Acts 2:42 | Apostle's Teaching, Breaking Bread, and the Prayers
Recall a time when you sensed the Spirit working in your life in a powerful way. Maybe it was when you first came to faith, or when He was granting you fresh insights to the scriptures. Describe your experience of the Spirit’s work to the group.
Read Acts 2:42-47. What is the connection between the first phrase, “they devoted themselves,” and the last phrase, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”?
Review Acts 2:14-36. Note the following hallmarks of apostolic teaching. How can the church today remain devoted to the apostle’s teaching? Name someone who influenced your life through their own devotion to the Word of God.
Jesus, foretold in the OT: 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel… 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me…
Jesus, the historical person who lived, died and was buried. 23 This Jesus … you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Jesus, really raised to life, witnessed by the apostles. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
Jesus, who pours out the Spirit. 33 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 yourselves are seeing and hearing.
Jesus, who by faith offers forgiveness of sins. 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Read Acts 2:42 & 46. “Breaking Bread” most likely means practicing Christian worship (including the Lord’s Table) in homes. Where have you experienced people living lives of worship outside of the large congregation? What impact has it had on your spiritual development?
Read Acts 2:15, 3:1, 10:3, and 10:9. How does the church’s devotion to ‘the prayers’ at the 3rd, 6th, and 9th hours affect the movement of the gospel in the book of Acts? How have the prayers of others impacted your life over the years?
As you reflect on others who have influenced you, spend time thanking Jesus together for his Spirit’s work in the lives of others. Consider also thanking those people who you’ve identified, and commit together as a group to be devoted to Jesus for the sake of the lost.