Introduction – 10 MINUTES

Do you prefer individual or team sports?

Leader Note: This should be a fun and easy question for your group to answer. You may want to start out telling about your favorite type of sport and why you like either the individual aspects or team dynamics.

Observation – 15 MINUTES

Read Acts 2:42-47. How did the early church live in community?

Commentary from the passage:

They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching – studying Scripture
They devoted themselves to fellowship – and sharing meals (including communion)
They were devoted to prayer
They were in a deep sense of awe and they performed miracles and wonders
They met together, they shared everything they had
They were generous
They worshiped together at the Temple
They met in homes
They shared their meals with great joy and generosity
They praised God and enjoyed the goodwill of all the people
Each day the Lord added new believers to their fellowship

 

What did participating in those activities look like in their lives?

Leader Tip: Look at each activity and ask “What do you think it meant to devote themselves to studying Scripture?”

Leader note: It will be interesting to hear your group members answer what these activities would have meant to the early believers as it will reveal what they want from a life group. They will most likely talk about the activities that are important to them.

 

Understanding – 20 MINUTES

How does your group resemble this type of community?  What is lacking that you would like to add to your group?

Leader note: Go through the list that you made in 2a of the early believers activities. As you go through them have your group highlight those that your group has experienced together. As they answer ask them what it has meant in their lives to experience those things. Make a special note of those things your group says they haven’t experienced as a group. As a leader you may want to see how you can work those activities into your group plan for the next year.

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

What about this type of community are you looking forward to? Why?

 

Live it out

What will be different in our world if we were this community?

 

Pray

End your group time together thanking God for bringing you all together to form a group as described in Scripture. Pray specifically for those areas your group highlighted that they wish were better within the group, and for opportunities to make the group stronger and to live out all aspects of Acts 2:42-47.