Community Group Guide
> Why We Gather
At The Springs Church, we desire for community groups to be a place where we BEHOLD JESUS, BECOME LIKE JESUS, and BELONG IN COMMUNITY. This means that our primary goal for groups is to gather around the transforming presence of Christ. As we gather around the transforming presence of Jesus, we believe by faith that we will be incrementally transformed into His image and likeness. With that in mind, let's begin in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead our time together, move on our hearts, and help us behold Jesus, become Like Jesus, and experince the gift of belonging in community. Let's pray.
> Give Thanks
Take a few moments to briefly share about anything that you are thankful unto the Lord for? Perhaps you've witnessed God answer a prayer or experienced a moment that strengthened your faith. Feel free to share any recent occurrences that have encouraged you or instances where you've felt God's presence at work in your life.
> Scripture Reading
Have someone read Acts 2:42-47
> Discussion Questions
Four Ways to Practice the Presence of Jesus
Our passage this week records the activity of the newly founded Christian church after it was founded on the day of Pentecost through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These new Christians dedicated themselves to a set of practices together as recorded in verse 42. Pastor Alberto unpacked these practices as the Word of God as taught by the apostles, Fellowship in the family of God, the Cruciform life of sacrifice and service, and the presence of God in Prayer. These remain key features of the life of the Christian community today. Pastor Alberto emphasized that the Christian life requires endurance through all circumstances, and consistency will help us more than intensity to endure in faith. The point of consistent Christian practice is to carry us through difficult or seemingly dry periods, trusting that God will meet us as we pursue God’s Word, community, sacrificial service, and prayer.
Reflection Question: How have commitment to teaching, community, service, or prayer helped carry you through challenging times?
Reflection Question: Which of these areas are you most likely to neglect? What helps spur you on to maintain these practices in challenging periods?
“And awe came upon every soul…” The passage describes that the outcome of sharing these practices together was that the people experienced awe of God, as well as wonders and signs. We may think that miracles spark devotion or that awe comes from miracles, but this passage says that both awe and wonders followed from the church’s devotion to these practices of faith. This is similar to the way many Americans believe that commitment in romantic relationships follows from feelings of “being in love.” While this may happen sometimes, the opposite is more often true. The practices of caring for one another, serving one another, and being devoted to one another all can help fuel romantic emotions. Similarly, we will grow in our awe and experience of Jesus when we remain devoted to the practices of his presence. We will not feel strong emotions every time, but we will foster right feelings toward Jesus over time.
Reflection Question: When was the last time you felt awe of God? What helps you foster a feeling of wonder about Jesus?
Reflection Question: Are there specific other Christians who help you to be in awe of Jesus because of their way of living? How do you see Jesus in that person?
Overflowing in generosity One of the major marks of the Christian church from the very beginning was radical and sacrificial generosity. This passage records how people gave freely to one another. Many of Paul’s letters in the New Testament also record how Paul worked to gather an offering from churches around the Roman Empire for the church in Jerusalem when they were suffering from a famine. Generosity overflows from the church as we receive the kind generosity of Jesus toward us. Further, we are not just generous to those of our own family or ethnicity, but God calls us to compassion for all of his people.
Reflection Question: How do you think God is calling you to generosity this week? It does not need to be about money, but can relate to time, attention, help, or money.
> Confession and Prayer
Reflect and Pray: As we sit with this passage, ask God to bring to mind anything you need to confess or need prayer for. Take a moment to share and pray for one another. Feel free to split up into pairs depending on the group size.
> Leader Form