Biblical Community – Wk 3
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The breaking of bread represents a common activity to connect with other people.
THREE ESSENTIALS FOR BUILDING A BOND OF FRIENDSHIP:
1. Shared experience.
2. Shared interest.
Luke 14:15 (NKJV)
15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
Luke 14:16-24 (NIV)
16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
3. Shared priority.
Acts 2:44-47 (NIV)
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message and it’s point in brief.
Big Idea: Biblical community is built on the commitment to practice fellowship by being the friend you’d love to have.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Acts 2:42 (NIV). Share an experience of “breaking bread” with others that built relationship with them.
▶ What is an interest you have that God could use to build relationship with others?
▶ What activities seem to vie for our attention over intentional connection with other believers?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Luke 14:16-24 (NIV). Ask God to show you someone He would like you to build relationship with this week.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray for our groups signups this week, for Intentional Biblical Community to grow.