6 Subversive Acts: Revolutionary Relationships
Week #2
Opening Reflections.
Where have you seen God at work in your life this week?
Share any brief examples and encouragements.
Was there anything from Sunday’s message (from Pete Greig) which resonated with you or that you felt resistance to? Anything else you particularly noticed?
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
Read Acts 2:42-47.
Our focus is on verse 42, ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship,’ .
If you watched the service on Sunday, many of the following questions will already be familiar.
1. To be ‘devoted’ to something suggests a certain emotional intensity; the old King James version suggests something more doggedly plodding than that. It reads, ‘they continued steadfastly…’ In Pete’s Book, “How to Pray” he urges three things: Keep it simple; Keep it real; Keep it up. Perhaps these could also be true of how we approach ‘the apostles’ teaching’ in the Bible. The early Jerusalem Church, of course, enjoyed direct access to what the apostles had to say because they were all there to interpret scripture and to teach them in person.
- How does that work for me in 2020?
- Does it just mean having a ‘quiet time’ and going to (livestreaming) church, or is there more to it than that? (Hint: see Matthew 7:24 ‘… everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice…)
2. Hebrews 10:24 says, ‘let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.’
- Who might I encourage or even lovingly challenge this week?
3. Hebrews 10:25 continues, ‘not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.’ A more literal translation reads, ‘not forsaking the coming together of ourselves’
- Apart from the occasional Livestream or Zoom, are there other ways in which we can meaningfully and helpfully ‘come together’ at the moment?
- Am I feeling isolated, or do I know someone else who is, who might need my help right now?
- Are there ways in which this time can bring us closer together?
4. James 5:6 reads, ‘confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.’
- Do I project an air of competence and confidence? How vulnerable am I? Am I good at asking for help?
5. Is there someone from a very different background or with a very different set of views to whom I might reach out this week? Who might I invite on Alpha?
Closing Reflections.
Is there anything you will take away from this study and discussion?What has stood out that you can take into your week ahead?
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other, in response to your answers.
