5 Characteristics of a Thriving Community | Acts 2:42-47

Summary

The Scriptures give us great clarity and confidence about what it’s like for us be a part of and to experience a community that is not just surviving, but truly thriving. In Acts 2:42-47, we get a glimpse into the life of the early church in its nascent form, after Peter and the Apostles declared the gospel of Christ crucified, resurrected, and ascended at Pentecost and the Lord added thousands to their number in a single day! By examining this passage, we can learn and apply lessons to our own lives and small groups as we strive to live life in a community that thrives and draws attention to Christ, his saving and resurrecting power.

Key Takeaways

A thriving community is one that is:

• Prioritizing God’s presence together – the early church’s devotion was corporate and communal, not just private and personal. Furthermore, they were seeking communion with God, not just a list of religious activities.
• Living in unity with one another – the gospel tore down human walls of division (race, nationality, language, custom, class, etc), and everyone was in unison giving thanks and praise to God.
• Freely meeting one another’s needs - when we consider what we have received in the Gospel, the most natural thing to do is to freely meet the needs of those around us.
• Living integrated lives – the early church did not compartmentalize schedules or view meeting together as an obligation. Rather, they were fully integrated into every aspect of their lives.
• Willingly including others – God’s intention is addition, and a thriving community is expectantly participating with Christ as He adds to His family.

Discussing and Applying the Sermon Guide

• Are you eager and expectant to meet with God before corporately gathering on Sundays? Before Community group meetings? What is one thing your group can do this week to prioritize God’s presence together?
• What things tend to become dividing points in your group? How are you tempted to make things other than Christ your/the group’s focus? If so, consider humbly asking forgiveness from Him and from others in the group and reassert that Christ is Lord of your group.
• Are there present needs within the group that you can meet? Do you see it as a joy, a privilege, and a responsibility to meet the needs of those around you? Ask the Lord to remind you of the riches you have received in Christ and the courage to take one faithful step in meeting a need?
• Do you view community as one more thing you have to do? What is one invitation you can make this week to others in your group to become a part of your everyday life?
• Are you and your group joyfully, willfully, and expectantly participating with Christ as He adds to his church? How can you encourage this together?