Discussion Questions: Acts 2:42ff

For the message, Devoted to One Another given by Pastor John at New City Church on June 30, 2013

These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or you could use these with your family or small group for discussion.

Introduction: Reflect some of your thoughts on the challenges of building community in Calgary. What are your frustrations? Efforts? Successes? Longings? Questions: 1. Pastor John discussed Seven Obstacles to True Community in Calgary: The impersonal dynamics of the city The dictates of the weather The fact that we prize our privacy The sacred reverence we have for individuality and consumerism The preference for polite distance The truth that people are messy (including ourselves) The adoption of wrong strategies to deal with our disappointment

Which of these seven stands out to you the most? What would you add? Subtract? 2. In Acts 2:42, we see clearly that the first Christians devoted themselves to fellowship in response to the Gospel. Do this strike you as odd? Why or why not? What comes to your mind when you think of someone being devoted to something? What does that look like? 3. Fundamentally, fellowship has the idea of shared life or life together. Pastor John highlighted two of the nuances behind the word fellowship: Moving toward one another in intentional relationship Moving for one another in willing sacrifice

Honestly, what are your thoughts on this? Are you intrigued, nervous, exhausted, or delighted at the thought of this kind of fellowship being a part of your life? Why? How are these two aspects of the notion of fellowship expressed in the Gospel of Christ? In other words, how does the fact that in Christ, God moves towards us intentionally in relationship and willing sacrifice create the new kind of life that we live out with one another? 4. Given the truth that we are created as relational beings, and we see redeemed humanity in Acts 2:42ff living out their redeemed humanity in terms of being devoted to one another, Pastor John highlighted a very significant truth: We are designed to flourish as a part of a true community where we are devoted to one another.

Does this resonate with you? If so, how so? If not, why not? Consider the point: Our default mode should be, We instead of Me. How does this challenge you and the way you approach the Christian life and Christian community? What would it look like if we at New City Church actually were devoted to shared life together? 5. One of the points of application was, Rebel against the status quo. In what ways do we have to live contrary to the way normal life is conceived of in Calgary if we are going to be more devoted to one another? 6. Another point of application was, Take the next step in the pursuit of true community. What is one practical step you can take this week to do this? 7. Coming up in the series on Life Together are some interesting studies based on the one another passages in the New Testament. Which one are you looking forward to exploring the most? Which one do you think our community of faith at New City Church would benefit from the most? July 07: Loving one another July 14: Welcoming one another July 21: Serving one another July 28: Praying for one another Aug 04: Looking out for one another Aug 11: Encouraging one another Aug 18: Showing hospitality to one another Aug 25: Forgiving one another

Conclusion: What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your life? How does this text challenge you to follow Jesus?

Renewing your mind: Acts 2:42, And they devoted themselvesto fellowship.