Love Others: Be the Church

Matthew 22:35-40; Acts 2:41-47

1. Connect

Where have you seen God working this past week or is there anything you'd like to thank Him for?

Are you carrying any burdens or facing any challenges?

Give thanks for what God has done and pray for one another.

 

2. Review

What do you remember from the previous passage?

How did you apply what you learned?

Did you share that passage or the message of the gospel with anyone?

3. New Bible Passage - Matthew 22:35-40; Acts 2:41-47

First, tell the story in your own words.

Then, read the passage from the Bible two times. (ask others to read if comfortable)

Discuss these questions:

  • What does it teach us about God?
  • What does it teach us about people?
  • What else stands out to you?

 

4. Practice

Practice retelling the Bible story in your own words.

 

Practice Discipleship Tool: Being the Church

After reading Acts 2:41-47, discuss these questions:

1. What did these followers of Jesus do together? List everything you see in the passage.

Shared the gospel (41,47), baptism (41), identified leaders (42,43), prayer (42), the Bible (42), fellowship (42,44), giving (45), gathered regularly (46), communion (46), praise (47)

 

2. Which of these things is our group doing well?

 

3. Which of these things could we improve or add? How?

5. Live it Out

What do you think you should do based on what you learned from this passage?

 

6. Pass it On

Is there anyone you could talk with this week about this passage or the message of the gospel?

Is there anyone you could invite to meet with you to read the Bible and discover Jesus?

Reading Challenge

Before we meet again, everyone reads Ephesians 1-6. Use the S.O.S. method at least two times this week along with your reading.

 

Other elements to add when you sense the group is ready:

Ask the Holy Spirit and whoever is discipling you for ideas and direction.

  • Sing a worship song together.
  • Take the Lord's Supper (communion) together. Only those who are genuine followers of Jesus should participate, so it's best to wait until everyone, or nearly everyone, in the group has decided to follow Him.