Believe Study Guide Chapter 16: Biblical Community Personal Study Last week you examined the practice of total surrender. Perhaps you were challenged to jump in “cannonball” style and actively lay down your life for God’s purposes. This week before your group meeting, read Believe, Chapter 16: Biblical Community. Then take some time to allow the Scriptures to soak in as you evaluate your personal practice of biblical community. Read Read Believe, Chapter 16: Biblical Community and answer the following questions. 1. Describe the common patterns found in these verses. 2. As you read this chapter, what questions came to your attention? 3. What did you read that astounded you? Confronted you? Uplifted you? Session sixteen 4. In what ways, if any, have you experienced biblical community? 5. Make a list of reasons it is not good for a person to be alone. 6. If community is something we desperately need, why are people compelled to live lifestyles of isolation? Evaluate Based on your reading from Believe, Chapter 16: Biblical Community, evaluate your level of confidence in the statements below, using a scale of 1 – 6 (1 = no confidence, 6 = complete certainty). ______ I have close relationships with other Christians who have influence on my life’s direction. ______ I participate in a group of Christians who really know me and support me. ______ I allow other Christians to hold me accountable for my actions. ______ I daily pray for and support other Christians. Take Action Memorizing Scripture is a valuable discipline for all believers to exercise. Spend a few minutes each day committing this week’s Key Verses to memory. Key Verses: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44 – 47)) Recite this week’s Key Idea out loud. As you do, ask yourself, Does my life reflect this statement? Key Idea: I fellowship with Christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the life’s of others, and in the world. Answer the following questions to help you apply this week’s Key Idea to your own life. 1. How would this practice express itself in your life? 2. What visible attributes can be found in someone who practices biblical community? 3. What is impeding your ability to experience biblical community? How can you overcome this obstacle? 4. What action step can you take this week to develop biblical community? Journal To help you keep all your Believe thoughts and materials in one place, note any verses or insights God gives you as you spend time with Him this week. This is also a great place to attach your sermon notes from the weekend messages. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Group Meeting Welcome! Welcome to Session 16 of Believe. If there are any new members in your group, take a moment to introduce yourselves to each other before watching the video. Then, feel free to get started! Video Teaching Notes As you watch the video segment for Session 4, use the following outline to record some of the main points. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Getting Started Begin your discussion by reciting the Key Verses and Key Idea together as a group. On your first attempt, use your notes if you need help. On your second attempt, try to state them completely from memory. Key Verses: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44 – 47) Key Idea: I fellowship with Christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the life’s of others, and in the world. Group Discussion As a group, discuss your thoughts and feelings about the following declarations. Which statements are easy to declare with certainty? Which are more challenging, and why? -­‐ I have close relationships with other Christians who have influence on my life’s direction. -­‐ I participate in a group of Christians who really know me and support me. -­‐ I allow other Christians to hold me accountable for my actions. -­‐ I daily pray for and support other Christians. Your LifeGroup Leader will choose 2-­‐3 questions that will lead to the best discussion about this week’s Key Idea. 1. In what ways is it “not good for man (a person) to be alone”? 2. In a world where people are becoming more isolated and self-­‐centered, what can be done to nurture a vibrant others-­‐focused community? 3. What is or could be an adversary of biblical community? In other words, what in our lives or culture impedes the success of healthy, attractive, faith-­‐based community? 4. What simple steps could this group take to enhance and/or develop more connection with God, each other, and non-­‐believers? Read the section “The New Community” in Believe (pages 256 – 258) and choose 1 – 2 questions that will lead to the greatest discussion in your group. 1. In what ways has your church experience been similar to what you just read? How has it been different? 2. Is the type of community you just read about possible today? Discuss why you believe it is or why it is not. 3. If community is something we desperately need, why are so many people of faith content to live lifestyles of isolation? Closing Prayer Close your time together with prayer. Share your prayer requests with one another. Ask God to help you put this week’s Key Idea into practice.