Preparing for Sunday July 20

This week we take a detour from the lectionary as we continue to explore what it means to be a disciple of God’s Kingdom. Our Vacation Bible School is off to a great and exciting start. Yesterday, we had over 80 children celebrating the power that God gives us. On Sunday, we are going to enjoy hearing from the children as well as explore what it means to be a power bearing disciple of the Kingdom!

Our scripture this week comes from the 2nd chapter of Acts:

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

1. How does a congregation empowered by the Holy Spirit act? In what ways is your congregation like the early church? In what ways is it different?

2. When asked what these new Christians should do, Peter told them to repent and be baptized. What does it mean to repent?

3. What kinds of things should Holy Spirit powered disciples be doing?

4. What does your congregation need to be doing if we want the Lord to add daily to our “number those who are being saved”?

Love to hear your thoughts!

"Send Forth" by David J. Helton