We pick up our study of the church and how early church members lived extraordinary lives in Acts chapter 6. In this chapter, the early church learned a valuable lesson firsthand: they all needed each other. There were needs beyond what the apostles could meet, so they, too, needed to begin helping and serving in the church. After all, we all have a crucial part to play.
BREAK THE ICE
Who is someone who serves at Sagebrush who has had a positive impact on you? How?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. The church in the beginning of Acts, was multiplying quickly. What are some “growing pains” that come with this kind of rapid growth?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Acts 6:1-7. What were people complaining about in the church? How did the apostles respond?
Acts 6:1-7
"But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. 7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too."
"But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too."
3. What was the result of addressing this need in the church? (See verse 7.)
4. Read Matthew 25:31-40. How does meeting others’ needs show that we are God’s people?
Matthew 25:31-40
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’"
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’"
Application
1. What is one need that breaks your heart that you see around you?
2. What is something you can do to help meet that need?
3. What gifts has God specifically gifted you with to help serve the church?
MOVING FORWARD
Now that you all have discussed the gifts God has given you, take a few minutes to think about how you can use them. What steps can you take to use your gifts to serve in the church this week? After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God for courage and wisdom to take the steps you have all determined to take.
GOING DEEPER
Our call as followers of Christ to help each other and meet the needs around us may feel daunting at times. Maybe you feel unequipped or unprepared to help others in this way. If that is you, I have good news. Scripture teaches that God has personally equipped us to serve the people around us just as we are. Today, we will see how we are perfectly equipped to serve the people around us.
We have direct access to God:
One of the things we often take for granted is the access that we have to God the Father. Before Christ, high priests were the people who had access to God and talked to Him on behalf of the people of Israel. When Jesus came, He provided us with access to God through His death and resurrection. Now, we can go directly to God. We can ask Him for what we need, and we can ask for courage. This, my friends, makes all the difference.
1. Read Hebrews 4:14-16.
2. How can we approach God, according to these verses?
3. How do these verses describe God’s power?
4. How does understanding the power of God, the one we have direct access to, impact the way you feel equipped to serve others?
We have the Holy Spirit:
When we give our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live life alongside us. Because of this, we are not left to help the people around us alone. Instead, we can walk confidently in the Spirit’s power as we serve the people around us.
1. Read Romans 8:22-27.
2. How does the Holy Spirit help us, according to these verses?
3. Look back at verse 27. In what way does the Holy Spirit intercede on our behalf?
4. How does this understanding of the Holy Spirit make you feel equipped as you give and help the people around you?
We have a mission:
God created each one of us with a specific mission in mind. This means that we all have a purpose. Not only that but we were created for a specific purpose. God designed us exactly how we are to carry out His mission and to help meet the needs around us in the name of Jesus.
1. Read Ephesians 2:10.
2. How are followers of Christ described? What does this description mean?
3. What were we specifically created for?
4. When were the good works God created us to do prepared? How does that understanding impact your perspective of helping meet needs around you?
We have everything we need to help meet the needs around us, especially needs in the church. We have access to God, the Holy Spirit, and a mission from God. Write these three points down on a notecard or the Notes app on your phone. Then, for the next week, read over these truths from God and let them remind you as you seek to boldly meet the needs around you.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
©2024 Sagebrush Church
