40 Days of Commitment
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of March 9, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Acts 2:42:47 NLT
42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the early church fellowship was a driving force in the life of the believers. They wanted to be together in Jesus’ name and they made time to do it daily. I pray that You will guide my time and life so that I may deepen my relationships with brothers and sisters through Jesus that we may all grow as Your body. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. NLT
What were the four primary activities of the early believers?
What does this tell us about how we should focus our lives?
Today’s Challenge: I will invest time in fellowship with other believers today!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Your body came together, the power of the Holy Spirit was obvious. I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit among us that we may experience again the signs and wonders that drew people to you by the thousands. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. NLT
Why do you think that awe came over the believers – BEFORE the signs and wonders were done?
What significance is there in the reality that the signs and wonders came AFTER the people stood in awe of God?
Today’s Challenge: I will believe God for miracles in our life together!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, empower us to trust You enough to help one another with the needs we have, as Your Church did in the first century. Let us recognize that in giving we receive Your blessing, and in sharing we show others the love of Jesus. This I pray in His name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. NLT
Do you think God intended for this practice of meeting together and sharing together to end? Why or why not?
What do you need to do to become more like the 1st century believers?
Today’s Challenge: I will share something significant that I have with someone else today as a sign of my trust in God’s provision!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that holding onto my money so tightly that I fail to meet the needs of others is not Your way. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may reflect Your life in me and Your love to others. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. NLT
Why do you think people would be led to sell all they had and give it to those in need?
What action will you take that is a reflection of this attitude?
Today’s Challenge: I will give of myself and my goods to someone in need!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for being worthy of our worship and praise! Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may experience the great joy, generosity and praise that identified the early believers as belonging to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. NLT
Which of the believers’ attitudes and actions is the most motivational to you? Why?
What do you need to do to demonstrate such attitudes and actions yourself?
Today’s Challenge: I will live today with the joy, generosity and praise that only Spirit-filled people exhibit, because I will rely on the Holy Spirit!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that Jesus told us to pray for workers to go out into the harvest—and I DO pray for more workers. I pray that you will also make me a worker so that You may add daily to the number of those who are being saved in our community. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. NLT
Why do you think the Lord added daily to the number of those who were being saved in the first century church?
What will it take to see that at New Life in our day? What will you do to see it happen?
Today’s Challenge: I will be a faithful witness to Jesus today!