EKKLESIA: THE Church and This church
Join us this fall for a new series called “EKKLESIA” as we look at the first expression of the Church as recorded in the book of Acts. We will also explore who we are as a church here at Live Oak. What was the Church like THEN and how should that shape who the Church should be NOW? We will also explore who THIS church is by exploring our mission, strategy and core values, as well as start exploring “what’s next” for Live Oak Community Church.
Week 3: 7 > 1
When we look at Acts 2:42-47, we see the Ekklesia of Jesus, the first expression of the Church, gathering together not just once a week for an event, but had an everyday focus. Church was not an activity to attend but a community to build and grow. What does it look like for us to build an Acts 2 Ekklesia at this church?
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- Share a HIGH and a LOW from this past week?
- What is something you are looking forward to in the near future?
- READ: Acts 2:41-47
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can. OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage? What questions do you have about this passage? What is confusing or needs clarification?
- Doug pointed out that their engagement in community together was not just a Sunday thing, rather it was an everyday thing. What are the challenges to and gets in the way of being engaged as a community together throughout the week? What are the possibilities?
- Doug talked about the Greek word that means “one another” and how the early Church one anothered well. Doug broke them down into 4 categories. Look at each one and read the corresponding verses and answer the question for each of the 4 One Another categories:
LOVE: John 13:34-45. What does it look like for us to love one another?
UNITY: Romans 12:16 & John 17:20-26. What does it look like for us to promote and protect unity with one another?
HUMILITY: Philippians 2:3. What does it look like to practice humility with one another? Why does it matter?
BUILD: 1 Thessalonians 5:11. What does it look like to build one another up?
- Doug shared one of Live Oak’s core values: Circles Matter.
We believe lives are transformed in the context of Christ and community.
It is when people are doing life together in small groups and serving together shoulder to shoulder that our faith grows best.
That is why we are a church of small groups and serving teams.
- If you have had any experience with being in a small group or on a serving team at Live Oak, how has your circle of a small group or serving team impacted you?
- How could you be more intentional with engaging and encouraging your circle(s)?
- How could we as a small group be more intentional building a community here that reflects Acts 2:42-47?
- Doug pointed out that the Acts 2:42-47 community was contagious and outward focused. They both went out to serve the needs of people outside their community but also drew people into their community. The danger of a circle is it can become inward focused and closed off to outsiders. How could we stay outward focused, both in serving the needs of people in our city, and reaching people with the Gospel, as well as making room for them in community?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon/passage?
- What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon/passage?
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other. And pray this prayer as a group: “Jesus, build your Church…and show us our part. Amen!” ***Challenge your group to make this a daily prayer throughout this series: “Jesus, build your Church…and show me my part. Amen!”
Scripture References:
Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41-47; John 13:34; Romans 12:16; John 17:20-26; Philippians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 5:13