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What happens when believers gather?

by Mike Vandermause on September 14, 2018

Why is the spiritual family so important?

Pastor Troy Murphy asked that question on Sunday, Sept. 9 at Community Church. He pointed to Acts 2: 42-47 in which people were committed to the body of Christ and devoted themselves to the following:

Teaching / Learning about God together

Our source of truth must come from scripture. The problem in culture today is we have moral relativism — the idea that truth is what we think it should be. In fact, truth comes from God’s word. What makes a spiritual family unique is that it’s centered around Jesus. What are we standing on as a local church that makes us unique and distinct? It has to be scripture.

Fellowship / Pursuing God together

Fellowship is more than hanging out and eating potluck dinners with other believers. In Acts it meant something very different. They entered into not just a conversation but a union together. We begin to not just talk about Jesus but figure out ways to serve him by helping others. How are we giving our lives away together for God’s glory? Fellowship means we are pursuing God together on a deeper level.

Breaking of bread / Remembering Jesus together

Once we hear the truth, we are compelled to do something. And one thing we can do is remember Jesus together by taking communion. Scripture says you don’t need a priest to serve communion. It says all of us are part of the  priesthood. Taking communion is being responsive to your own faith. The cup represents the blood Jesus shed, and the bread stands for his broken body. We remember what Jesus did and acknowledge that he is alive and is our only means to attaining peace with God.

Prayer / Talking to God together

In Acts the believers prayed together. When we pray we are acknowledging that God is in charge.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What are you getting from the local church? What are you giving to the local church? Which is more important, getting or giving?

What stops you from being devoted to the spiritual family?

What captures your time? How could you use the time you have on more profound and impactful pursuits?