A New Community – STUDY GUIDE

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Icebreaker: Share someone that comes to mind when you think of being “devoted” to the Lord.

1-18-2026

Sermon Title: Authentic Church – ‘A New Community’ – Acts 2:42-47

Group Discussion:

Read Acts 1:8 & Acts 2:42-47 – The early church was not devoted to results; they were devoted to Jesus. Discuss where the growth and power of the early church originated. What does it mean to be truly “devoted” as opposed to simply interested or intrigued?

Read 2 Timothy 3:16 & Hebrews 4:12 – Continued devotion to God’s Word. Discuss the significance and purposes of scripture in our lives. How can recognizing scripture as the Lord’s “living and active” voice influence the way we consistently interact with it, value it, and commit it to memory?

Read 1 John 1:1-3 & 1 John 1:7 – Continued devotion to fellowship. Knowing that the Greek word for fellowship is “koinonia”, meaning “to share,” what are these verses calling us to as a church? In what ways does your group, or your inner circle, already live this out well? Discuss practical ways we can grow in sharing life, resources, and faith more intentionally?

Read Matthew 26:26-28 & 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – Continued devotion to the breaking of bread. Discuss what the “breaking of bread” includes (e.g., a place at the table, communion, shared meals). How does the act of communion bring us closer to the Lord? And share a personal example.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & James 5:13-19 – Continued devotion to prayer. How can prayer become a posture we live in daily and consistently (e.g., a continuous conversation with the Lord to improve our conscious contact) rather than an occasional event or simply responses to crises?

Spiritual Disciplines: Additional resources are available on the Church Center app: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources, like Strategies for Memorizing Scripture and Family Worship at Home

Action Steps: Understanding that the early church experienced continued awe and growth, focus on these intentional objectives this week: (1) Devote Yourself: Write down 3 practical steps you can take to devote yourself the way the early church did, (2) Commit to Being Known: Enter into a followship environment by joining a group, entering a mentoring relationship, or engaging more consistently if already in an environment, and (3) Let God WOW you: Commit to a volunteer role at the church (e.g., serving with Family Ministries https://mgchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/7562 or offer to help serve and clean-up at one of our Monday night Recovery Ministry events [email protected]