Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide

April 13, 2025

FORWARD: The First Church

Acts 2:42-47       

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Can you imagine the excitement among the apostles when 3,000 people trusted Christ in one day? But do you also think maybe they were panicking a little bit and wondering how they were going to manage that many people in one church? What do you think some of the challenges may have been?

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Acts 2:42-47

[42] And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

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1. Devotion

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What did they devote themselves to? (see v. 42) 

We learned in the sermon last Sunday about the seriousness and radical nature of following Jesus for 1st-century Jews. What areas of their lives would be affected by their decision to follow Jesus and be baptized publicly? 

In light of this, why did these first Christians need each other? 

Why do you think many Christians live like they don’t need the church today?

Why is this not true? Why do we need the church?

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2. Awe

Hebrews 12:28

[28] Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe‍

What produces an awe of God in us? (hint: look at this verse we just read in Hebrews)

The more we learn to marvel at the gospel, the more we look at Jesus with a sense of awe and wonder. How does being in awe or wonder of something change the way you live? Specifically, how should being in awe of God change the way you live?

What problems start to form in our lives when we put something or someone besides God at the center of our identity? 

What was the primary evidence that the first Christians truly put Jesus at the center of their lives? (let’s actually read v. 43-46 again before we answer this) 

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Acts 2:43-46

 [43] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

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3. Appeal  

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Acts 2:47

[47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.‍

What do you think was appealing to non-Christians about this first church?

How might we live as Christians today that would be very appealing to non-Christians?

Flip side of that question: how might we be living that is unattractive to outsiders?  

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Here’s some rhetorical questions to chew on this week: 

Where are you right now?

What level is your devotion to Christ and his church? Are you in awe of Jesus and what he’s done for you? Are you living your life with other Christians in a way that engages with non-Christians around you and is appealing to them?