2. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION!

3. ACTS 2:42-47 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

4. Acts 2:42-47 (Cont.) “And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

5. I. WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT! THE FIVE PRIORITIES: PRIORITY #1: THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF GOD’S WORD! “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine….” (Acts 2:42)

6. THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE 1.THE BIBLE 2.GOD THE FATHER 3.GOD THE SON 4.GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT 5.MAN 6.SIN 7.SALVATION 8.THE CHURCH 9.SATAN 10.FUTURE THINGS

7. THE TEST OF TEACHING AND LEARNING! 1.DOES TEACHING RESULT IN MY LEARNING? 2.DO I APPLY WHAT I LEARN TO MY LIFE? 3.DOES IT RESULT IN MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH? 4.DOES IT RESULT IN HAVING A GODLY LIFE? 5.DOES MY LIFE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO OTHERS? 6.DOES IT RESULT IN INCREASING MY LOVE FOR GOD?

8. WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT THE FIVE PRIORITIES: PRIORITY #2: PARTICIPATING IN TRANSFORMING WORSHIP! TRANSFORMING WORSHIP IS THE PARTICIPATION IN THE DAILY PURSUIT OF GOD! “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God.” (Ps. 42;1)

9. THE WORSHIP TEST DOES MY WORSHIP OF GOD CREATE A HUNGER TO KNOW GOD BETTER AND DOES IT LEAVE ME WANTING MORE OF HIM? IS WORSHIP A NOUN OR A VERB IN MY LIFE?

10. Acts 2:42 - “devoted to fellowship” (koinonia) Acts - 2:44 “they were ‘together’” Acts - 2:46 “they ate together” PRIORITY #3: CARING RELATIONSHIPS! WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT THE FIVE PRIORITIES:

11. THE RELATIONSHIP TEST 1. DO I HAVE CLOSE FRIENDS, WHO SHARE MY FAITH AND COMMITMENT TO CHRIST? 2. DO I HAVE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, WHO CARE ABOUT ME?

12. WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT THE FIVE PRIORITIES:

13. THE PRAYER TEST 1.Where have I seen God at work IN MY LIFE as a result of my personal prayers? 2.Where have I seen God at work IN MY CHURCH as a result of us being a praying church? 3.Where have I seen God at work IN THE WORLD as a result of praying for the nations? Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Matthew 11:17)

14. PRIORITY #5: MEETING NEEDS OF OTHERS! “And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” (Acts 2:44, 45) WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT THE FIVE PRIORITIES:

15. THE “MEETING OTHER’S NEEDS” TEST 1.AM I AWARE OF OTHERS WHO HAVE NEEDS IN THEIR LIVES? 2.HAVE I TAKEN ANY ACTION TO MEET THOSE NEEDS IN A TANGIBLE WAY? 3.AM I A PROTECTOR OF “MY GOODS” OR DO I WILLINGLY AND GLADLY SHARE WITH OTHERS?

16. II. THE CHALLENGE OF THE CHURCH! “WHAT WE DO” AS A CHURCH (THE FIVE PRIORITIES) IS A DIRECT RESULT OF “WHO WE ARE” AS A CHURCH! THE “WHO” CHARACTERISTICS: (Committed v. 41; Respect for God v. 43; Unity v. 44; Unselfish v. 45; Joyful v. 46 Simplified and Sincere v. 46; Full of praise v. 47)

17. III. THE SURPRISING RESULT! “…and HAVING FAVOR WITH ALL THE PEOPLE. And the Lord was ADDING TO THEIR NUMBER DAY BY DAY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED.” VS. 47

18. “You are the salt of the earth; if salt has lost its saltiness it is not good for anything….” (Matthew 5:13) “You are the light of the world…let you light so shine before others….” (Matthew 5:14-16)