Shepherding Leadership | Acts 20:17-38
Shepherding Leadership | As we have seen over the course of the semester, there are many important characteristics that help inform us of what the church is. The last characteristic we will discuss which is certainly an important distinctive is the leadership of the church. By looking at Paul’s empowerment of the Ephesians elders, we hope to gain a better understanding of God’s design for leadership within His church.
Unity Committed | Acts 15, Matthew 18
Unity Committed | The language in the New Testament that is used to describe the church always paints the picture of unity. God’s plan was to form one body through the power of the gospel and one of the primary distinctives of the church was meant to be the way they love each other. This week we will look at the conflict that led to the Jerusalem council. We will observe how the conflict was dealt with and how the church was further unified as a result in hopes of understanding how conflict and unity are meant to play out for us today.
Equipping Minded | Acts 13-14 & Ephesians 4
Equipping Minded | God’s strategy of discipleship has never been to entrust ministry to a small group of “qualified professionals” but rather to equip and empower “regular” people to carry out His mission. We see this in Jesus’ ministry with the disciples, and all throughout the book of Acts. This week we will look at Paul’s discipleship strategy during his missionary journeys as we seek to understand God’s heart for equipping and multiplying disciple
Diverse And Inclusive | Acts 10:1-48
Diverse And Inclusive | One way sin hurts people is to allow differences to divide. Unfortunately the church has a long and sad history of this very reality, and yet the nature of the gospel is to bring different people together and make them one body. The church of Jesus is meant to consist of people who are different—different generations, races, personalities, and preferences—and through the Spirit’s power, their differences rightly embraced are meant to make them stronger and more like Jesus. By looking at the story of Peter and Cornelius, this week we are going to see God’s purposes for diversity and inclusion in the church.
Inwardly Diverse | Acts 8:1-3 & 9:1-31
Inwardly Transformed | An important characteristic of the church is that she is not what she once was. To be the church of Jesus is to have undergone an inward transformation. This week we will look at the miraculous transformation of Saul who went from an enemy of Christ to one of His greatest workers. As we look at Saul’s change, we hope to better understand the miraculous change that should occur to all those in Christ.
Radically Generous | Acts 4:1-34 & 5:11
Radically Generous | The nature of the gospel is radically generous. Humans are so unworthy of God's love, so guilty because of sin, so stubbornly set in their rebellion, that it boggles the mind that God would look upon any with love—and yet that is exactly what the cross demonstrates. This kind of generosity is extravagant. Therefore it is natural for people who are changed by the gospel to reflect its absurd nature. This week as we look at the generosity in the early church, we will see both its beauty and its challenges, in hopes of catching a vision for generosity in the church.
Adversity Expectant | Acts 4:1-22 & 7:54-8:3
Adversity Expectant | The church of Jesus is a movement that is destined for victory, but in the meantime promised to encounter struggle. The people of God should not be surprised when adversity arises both from inside and outside. God is sovereign over it, and promises to use it to advance His kingdom. This week we are going to explore the various challenges the early church encountered and then observe God’s purposes in them.
Gospel Centered | Acts 2:14-41
Gospel Centered | The “good news” of Jesus is meant to be one of the defining characteristics of the church. The people of God are saved by the gospel, transformed by the gospel, motivated by the gospel, unified by the gospel, and longing for the completion of the gospel. To be the church is to be centered on the good news of Jesus. This week we will pay attention to Peter’s first sermon in order to better understand the gospel and how it is central.
Spirit Empowered | Acts 2:1-13
Spirit Empowered | Another distinguishing characteristic of the church is she is Holy Spirit empowered. The storyline of the Bible teaches that humans were made to dwell in relationship with their creator—God. While sin destroyed that reality, the good news of Jesus is that He has made a way to restore that relationship. He has sent the Spirit of God to dwell within all who embrace Jesus by grace through faith. The Holy Spirit provides power for Christians to love God, love people, and make disciples. Starting at Pentecost and working its way all throughout the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit indwells believers and empowers them to accomplish His mission. This week we will focus on how the Holy Spirit empowers the church and observe the difference that makes.
Mission Focused | Acts 1:8
Mission Focused | The church is not a building but a people, and one of distinguishing characteristics of these people is their purpose. The church does not exist for itself, but has been given a mission. The church is formed and called to be witnesses of the good news of Jesus. The church is meant to be a foretaste of the kingdom of God, and this representation is designed to start small and multiply. This week we are going to see how Acts 1:8 gives a framework for the book of Acts and a missional focus for all believers.