At our BH Summer Bible Study, we've been looking at the book of Acts; the story of the explosive beginning of the early church.
We've been asking the questions, "What did they do that we aren't doing?", "How did they grow in such numbers?"
Acts 2:42-47, gives a clear description of the kind of people they were:
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
I decided to rewrite this passage, to better reflect the youth group (and even church experience) I see today in America…
They occasionally read the Bible, (as long as someone remembered to bring one), and they hung out for a bit, and maybe said a quick prayer before they ate…or not. Every so often a few of them vaguely sensed God’s presence, but usually only on a retreat or if the band was really good. Everyone had their own stuff, and unless an offering was taken, they cherished it and held onto it so they could trade it in for more and better stuff. They met once a week, (unless the weather was nice or they had something better to do, or their boyfriend or girlfriend didn’t want to go). When they did get together, there was lots of gossip, drama and infighting… and tons of texting. Many people on the outside called them hypocrites. Once in a while someone who accept Christ and maybe get baptized. Their group basically stayed the same size, and they were OK with that.
I then asked my students to look at our lives; our church; our youth group, and translate Acts 2:42-47 into their own words; words we as a group could strive for and aspire to. This is what Ashe, one of our amazing students wrote:
They devoted themselves and their lives to God and His commands, and to fellowship with His believers. People were amazed by the love and compassion exhibited by the Christians. They came together as the Body of Christ despite their differences. Anything that belonged to one member belonged to the entire Body. They loved and cared for one another with glad and sincere hearts. They thanked God every day and praised His name for all they had. The people saw how authentic their faith was, and longed to be a part of it. God added greatly to their number as the people saw what was good.
May it be so.
When another person pays me an sudden compliment, I normally inform them that they created my day! What about you?
Posted by: New Balance 574 | 09/19/2010 at 10:19 PM