FORGIVENESS: 10 What are Important Commitments to Grow as a Christian?

Chapter 1.10

What are Important Commitments for My Spiritual Growth?

Acts 2:42, 47

Week 4

► After reading this chapter, answer the following questions:

1. What are at least five practices God wants you to commit to?
2. Why is it important to find and join a local church?
3. What is the most important quality of a church to look for? Why?
4. What was most meaningful to you in this chapter? Why?

In the book of the Acts of the Apostles we read: “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day–about 3,000 in all” (Acts 2:41). And the Bible goes on to tell us what these new Christians committed themselves to:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47)

God wants you to be committed to 5 practices and a local church to help you grow as a Christian.

The first Christians are an example to you of what God wants you to be committed to. After the first Christians were baptized, the early Church historian Luke records that “all the believers devoted themselves” to five things. These commitments were 1) listening to and following “the apostles’ teaching”; 2) “fellowship”; 3) “sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper)”; 4) “prayer”; and 5) sharing the good news about Jesus with non-Christians through which, “the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

These commitments can seem overwhelming at first, and they will require some effort. But a real Christian has been indwelled with the Holy Spirit and will greatly desire to do these very things. And God does not want you to do them alone, but together with Christian friends in a local church.

The Bible says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47). God your Father wants you to be committed to 5 practices and a local church to help you grow as a Christian.

A) God wants you committed to learning & obeying the Bible

First, the early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” That teaching is recorded in the New Testament (NT). If you do not own a Bible, you need to purchase one. For those who understand English, we recommend the New Living Translation used in this study. It even comes in a version designed for new believers. ^[1]

We would also suggest you read the New Testament before reading the Old Testament (OT). It applies more to the Christian’s life. However, you will find the Psalms and Proverbs in the OT very helpful as well.

You should read the Bible every day. As you do, you will experience God speaking to you through His written words. And you will notice significant spiritual growth. As you read the Bible, write down questions you can ask a Christian friend or a Pastor.

Do not simply read the Bible. When you encounter commands for the Christian, do your best to immediately apply them to your life. The Bible says, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (James 1:22). When the first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles ‘teaching,” they were not just devoted to listening to the Apostles’ teaching, but obeying it as well.

The Bible says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47). God your Father wants you to be committed to 5 practices and a local church to help you grow as a Christian.

B) God wants you committed to Christian friendships

Secondly, the first Christians “devoted themselves . . . to fellowship.” The original Greek word used here is koinōnia. It means to share your life with others. This same Bible passage goes on to describe what fellowship means. The first Christians “met in homes . . . and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.” In fact, they “shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need” (Acts 2:44-45). That’s sharing your life!

There is no doubt that the first Christians considered one another their best, closest, and most trusted friends. And FRIENDSHIP is the best one-word definition of biblical fellowship.

There are over 50 “one another” commands in the NT telling Christians to love one another, accept one another, encourage one another, serve one another, teach and counsel one another, and meet with one another. Why is this? Because your greatest purpose as a Christian is to glorify God by enjoying His love for you and giving His love to others. And you will learn and give love the best in Christian fellowship.

When you become a Christian you get a new Father in Heaven. You also get a new family on Earth. This is why throughout the NT Christians are called brothers and sisters. Your Father wants you to love, serve, accept, and encourage other Christians as if they are your beloved siblings.

At New Life Community Church we have two kinds of small groups. There are Barnabas Groups of 3-4 people of the same gender. These are intended to provide you with older Christians who can help mentor you to grow in your Christian life. Secondly, we have L.I.F.E. Groups which usually consist of 4-6 households/families and are committed to serving one another. For more information on these, see the brochures in the literature rack in the front foyer of the church or visit our church website at https://newlifecr.com/life-groups/.

The Bible says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47). God your Father wants you to be committed to 5 practices and a local church to help you grow as a Christian.

C) God wants you committed to the Lord’s Supper

Thirdly, the first Christians “devoted themselves . . . to the Lord’s Supper.” This refers to an informal ceremony Jesus instituted for you to remember what He did for you on the cross. The Bible says:

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. (Matt 26:26-28)

Jesus wants you to frequently participate in this ceremony involving the symbols of the body and blood of Christ in order to celebrate His sacrifice to pay for your sins.

D) God wants you committed to praise and prayer

Fourth, the first Christians “devoted themselves . . . to prayer” and were “praising God.” Prayer is simply talking to God. As a Christian, you now have the amazing privilege of being able to talk to God anytime you want, and about anything you want. The Bible says:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

We see that there are two types of prayer. First, praising your Father for who He is and what He has done for you. Secondly, asking Him to help you. Both are very important and help you to trust God with your difficulties and have a God-centered perspective in your life.

E) God wants you committed to sharing the good news about Jesus to non-Christians

Fifth, the first Christians were telling others the Good News about forgiveness through trust in Christ. It was through this practice that “the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

A few chapters later in the Book of Acts we read: “The believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went” (8:4). There are few privileges and pleasures greater than being used by God to help someone become a Christian and receive eternal life. Practical steps and instruction on sharing the Good News about Jesus was provided in Project 1.B of this study.

The Bible says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47). God your Father wants you to be committed to 5 practices and a local church to help you grow as a Christian.

F) How can you keep these commitments?

The early Christians, “worshiped together at the Temple each day” and “met in homes” regularly (Acts 2:46). The large gathering at the temple soon became a Sunday church service in the early Church. And as Christianity spread, the early Christians started local churches led by godly Pastors.

Being devoted to the above Christian practices is a challenging commitment. But again, your Father does not expect you to do them alone. This is why He wants to give you a local church to be help you with your Christian life.

The first believers were devoted to hearing the Apostles teach the Bible. Today, God provides Pastors in the local church for the same purpose. God never intended for you to learn His word alone. The Bible says:

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. (Eph 4:11-13)

Why did the Lord give “pastors and teachers” to the local church? To help you grow spiritually. Their ministries “build up” people in “the church” and will help you serve God and “be mature in the Lord.” They will also protect you from harmful false teachings about the Bible.

The most important attribute of a church is the character of its leaders. You are looking for men who will earn your trust and respect. This is because God wants you to follow and serve them. The Bible says:

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Heb 13:17 NIV)

Therefore, it is vital for your Christian life that you find and join a loving and biblical local church with mature and godly leaders.

Finally, it was described above that God wants you to be committed to sharing your life with others and having close Christian friends. This will probably not happen by just going to church every Sunday. You need to be committed to a small group in your church in order to experience the friendships, fellowship, and family God wants you to.

The Bible says, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. . . And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47). God your Father wants you to be committed to 5 practices and a local church to help you grow as a Christian.

► Return to the beginning of this chapter and answer the questions there.

► Complete Project 1.E: “Planning & Pursuing My Christian Commitments” before meeting with your small group.

1. The New Believer’s Bible in the New Living Translation is highly recommended and can be purchased in the front foyer of New Life Community Church. ↑