CHURCH DEFINED // WEEK 1 // DEVOTION

Church Defined: (Week 1) Devotion Acts 2:41-47 NIV 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:41-42a NIV 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves …. Proskartereo (pros-kar-ter-eh'-o) v. to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing to continue all the time in a place to persevere and not to faint to show one's self courageous for to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly Be Devoted to the Word of God. Acts 2:42a NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching... Romans 12:4-6 NIV 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 NIV 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Acts 2:42a NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread … Be Devoted to True Fellowship. koinonia (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) n. partnership; association; community; communion; joint participation; intimacy Galatians 6:2 NIV 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. John 13:34-35 NIV 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Acts 2:42 NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread … Romans 12:4-10 NIV 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3 NIV 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Be Devoted to Prayer. Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Be Devoted to Prayer.