Acts Studies 1 to 4 without page 13 - Mitchelton Presbyterian Church

Growing Followers of Jesus as we reach, teach and care
Introduction
As we approach our first annual “Vision Sunday” (and in the weeks that follow) we’re
going to be taking a look at the earliest days of the Christian Church in the Book of
Acts. The name is an abbreviation of the title “The Acts of the Apostles.”
Acts was written by Luke, and originally followed on as “Part 2” of his gospel. It’s a
book that links the “gospels”, which tell the story of Jesus, and the letters, which
were written by apostles like Paul to teach and encourage the members of the
churches we see launched here in Acts.
How did the church get started? What happened immediately after the time of
Jesus? How did Christianity move from the small area of Palestine to spread
out over the whole world? Those are the questions Acts is going to answer.
The issue (and the struggle) just under the surface in Acts is the same as the issue
faced by Jonah. Who is God’s grace actually for? Just for Israel? Or for all the world?
Who should be called to submit to the rule of Jesus? Just Israel? Or everyone?
The answers may seem obvious to us. But to the first (Jewish) Christians, it wasn’t
obvious at all.
It has often been noted that Acts is really a book about the “Acts of the Risen Jesus,”
who by his Spirit leads the way forward at every key turning point. It’s not the
Apostles who are powerful and tactical and courageous and clear headed - the
power lies in the name of Jesus, the rightful King of the World. By the power of the
Spirit, the gospel is powerfully preached and confirmed, and storms through the
middle east into Europe, and into the centre of the most powerful empire the world
had ever seen. It’s the same gospel at work in the world today, and we’re called to
join in the mission of growing followers of Jesus as we reach, teach and care!
Phil Campbell, November 2012
VISION SUNDAY MATERIAL
Through this booklet you’ll spot some background material for Vision Sunday.
Please read it to prepare for the day. Don’t take the time to read it in your
group, but feel free to discuss it!
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Study 1 - Acts 1
Growing followers of Jesus as we Reach, Teach and Care
You might have noticed we’re planning to focus the energy of mpc around the key
themes of reach, teach and care. In these first three studies we’re going to take a
quick look at the opening days of ‘the church’ in the early chapters of Acts, look for
evidence of these priorities, and see if we can pick up any practical tips.
On a Mission From God
Read Acts 1:1-11.
Reading Notes: Theophilus is the same guy Luke addresses at the start of Luke’s gospel. Some think he was a
lawyer in Rome preparing for Paul’s legal case - but nobody really knows!
The term Apostle technically means messenger, but it’s more like our word Ambassador - in Christian usage it
refers to someone who is commissioned and sent as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.
1. According to Luke, who did Jesus spend time with and instruct after his
resurrection? Why do you think he does this?
" * What did he convince them of?
" * What did he speak to them about?
" * What command does he give them?
The Gift the Father had Promised
The nation of Israel had been waiting for generations for the promised day when God
would pour out his Spirit on them. Up to this point, they’ve struggled and failed to
keep God’s law, because their hearts were not in it. What they wanted, and what
God wanted, were two very different things. And that’s what brought disaster on
them as a nation. Back then it almost seemed there were more Jews living outside
the nation than in it, as they’d been looted and pillaged and scattered in a sequence
of disasters that went back hundreds of years.
Deuteronomy 30, Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 are the key passages in the Old
Testament that talk about this. But it seems that when Jesus spoke, the Apostles
were thinking especially of Ezekiel 36:24 to 28.
2. Read those verses from Ezekiel and note the three key promises:
"
" * I will ________________________________v24
2

" * I will ________________________________ v25
" * I will ________________________________ v26-27
Can you explain why the promise of Jesus in Acts 1:5 would lead to the question
from the Apostles in Acts 1:6?
A Bigger Mission
As it turns out, Jesus has got a bigger mission in mind. It’s not just a matter of
scattered Jews coming back to Israel. This is going to be a kingdom for the whole
world! The borders of Israel wouldn’t have a hope of holding all his new subjects…
3. From verse 8, what will the Holy Spirit enable to Apostles to do, and where?
Take a look at the maps on the next page and you’ll notice that these final earthly
words of Jesus form a summary of what the Apostles actually do. Starting from
Jerusalem, moving into the surrounding region of Judea, into Samaria (which used to
form the old Northern Kingdom of Israel)… to the ends of the earth. (They didn’t
quite make it to Mitchelton by the end of Acts. But they handed the mission on to
someone, who handed it on to someone, who handed it on to someone… who did!
3

1:1 - 6:7
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Cloudy with a chance of Kings...
Read what happens to Jesus in Acts 1:9-10, and the angel’s comments in v 11.
The Old Testament prophet Daniel had a remarkable dream. He saw a time when
the kingdoms of this world would be overcome by a new kingdom. Here’s what he
says he saw as (in his dream) he stood in God’s throne room…
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of
man[1], coming with the clouds of heaven[2]. He approached the
Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority,
glory and sovereign power[3]; all peoples, nations, and men of every
language[4] worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be
destroyed.[5] Daniel 7:13-14
Try answering these from the numbers above...
[1] What title did Jesus often use to refer to himself?
[2] As he “comes with the clouds”, who is the Son of Man coming towards? (Read
the next sentence and you’ll see!)
[3] In royal ceremony terms, what’s happening here? (Queen Elizabeth had one.
Charles wants one!)
[4] Who is the son of man given authority to rule over?
[5]How long will this Kingdom last?
So, putting it together... what is Jesus visibly announcing when he’s taken up in the
clouds?
" A) That he is __________
" B) That his Kingdom is for __________________
John Stott says “Christ’s Kingdom tolerates no narrow nationalism. He rules over an
international community in which race, rank and gender are no barriers to fellowship”
Have you seen evidence of this in your experience as a Christian?
Do you see evidence of this at mpc?
From what we’ve seen in this study, what’s the message the Apostles are called to
spread?
" How effective has their mission been over the last 2000 years?
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" What particular challenges are we facing here at the ‘ends of the earth’ as we
" try to reach people with the message that Jesus is the resurrected rightful
" ruler of Brisbane’s northside in the 21st century?
Reaching our end of the earth… together
Compared to Jerusalem, we’re at the ends of the earth! Empowered by God’s Spirit,
we want mpc to be ‘a witness’ for Jesus around Brisbane’s northside. As we work to
shape our church priorities, we’re putting it this way…
REACH means “sharing the good news of
Jesus with the people in our lives and
welcoming them into our church family.”
Our leadership team will do their best to:-
" * provide training, so you know how to graciously explain your faith
" * host groups for the community, like Playgroup and Schools-Out
" * organise events, like Food4Thought, Sticky Date and Stories, Share the
" Fire, that make it easy for you to invite the people in your life to meet
" Christians and find out more about the claims of Jesus.
" * shape church services that easily connect with the people in your life
" * arrange courses like Christianity Explored that explain the gospel fully
But that’s just a start. It’s going to take an ALL IN EFFORT to reach Brisbane’s
northside with the gospel. Here’s what we’re asking everyone to do in 2013…
"
" 1. Choose your personal ‘mission field’. Work? Neighbourhood? School?
" 2. Focus your prayers there.
" 3. Be openly and naturally Christian as you mix there.
" 4. Be a real friend to people there.
" 5. Invite someone to a group, event, service or course at mpc
" 6. If all else fails, go back to point 2…
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For Group Discussion
Is this list too challenging? Or not challenging enough?
Have you got other ideas for how we could be better reaching our community?
How can we best engage and involve everyone in taking small positive steps to
reach those around them? Please email your ideas to phil@mpc.org.au
Reaching the World!
We want everyone to be informed about our World Partnership strategy. You’ll hear
more about this at Vision Sunday, and can read the details of the strategy on the
next few pages. Our primary Reach Partners are John and Rose Evans, who are
helping to plant a church in Chiba City, Japan.
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MPC Partnership and Project Support
Strategy (Revised October 2012)
Reach, Teach, Care
beyond mpc
Our vision is to grow followers of Jesus by
graciously reaching our community with the
gospel, faithfully teaching one another the
Bible, and showing Jesus’ love by caring for
each other and those around us. We want our
gifts and resources together as the body of
Christ, prayerfully trusting in him, and
empowered by his Spirit. Our key mission is on
Brisbane’s north side, but we also want to help
others to reach, teach and care in places where
our partnership makes a difference. Just as they
are locally, we want our wider efforts to be
generous, practical and effective.
Focused Partnership Support
We’re a large church, made up of hundreds of
people who are concerned for thousands of
causes. But as a church family together, we’ll
focus on partnerships and projects that unite our
mpc community and make the most impact with
our combined energy and resources. We’ll focus
on a limited number of carefully chosen
ministry partnerships and projects that fit
with our gospel DNA.
How do we focus?
We realise we can’t support everything! But
our goal is to do for one thing what we wish
we could do for everything in each of the
three areas of reach, teach and care beyond
mpc. In that way we will use our resources and
energy in a concentrated, sustainable way. Our
chief means of support will be through three
primary partnerships for overseas gospel
ministry partners, one in each of the areas of
reach, teach and care.
✦Reach: These partners will be
involved in evangelistic or church
planting/gospel seeding work.
They will be taking the gospel to
places where workers are few and
people have limited opportunities to be
welcomed into the body of Christ.
Read
our exciting
world mission
goals
✦Teach: Partners who are working to train gospel
workers to teach the Bible and grow the church in
their local context will be eligible for support as
Teach partners. They will typically be training local
men and women to faithfully teach the Bible with a
Christ-centered focus.
✦Care: Our Care partners will be focused on acts
of loving service motivated by being disciples of
Jesus. Just as they share our conviction that the
gospel brings people to salvation, they are
committed to displaying the care that comes from
faithfully following Jesus.
In addition to our primary partnerships we will
provide one-off support each year for three
secondary projects and through our annual
Christmas Appeal.
With all of our selected partners and projects, we
will focus:
✦Our time. Our support projects will generally be
time-limited, so we can regularly re-consider
supporting new projects. For example, our annual
Christmas Project will usually run through
November and December each year, with a new
project every year. Our primary partnerships will
usually be for three years – for example,
supporting a family serving overseas for one term.
✦On achievable goals. We are realistic about the
amount of financial and logistical support we can
provide, and want to be sure we can deliver what
we promise. While being careful not to overpromise,
we’ll still aim to surprise and delight our
partners with our commitment and care.
✦On existing links. Where possible we’ll try to
link our projects with our primary partnerships.
This provides more immediate contact and
feedback, more accountability, and a greater
sense of connection. For example, in the past we
provided a bus for an orphanage linked with our
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mission partners in Mongolia, or an education
program for children in Goma through our direct
link with workers there. Ideally Partners would
be willing to work with us in this way, and
support short term teams and projects from
mpc.
Partnership Support Panel
The responsibility of selecting and maintaining
our partnerships and projects falls to the
Partnership Support Panel, made up of an elder
(Chair), a second representative selected by
Session, the Treasurer, a staff member
representing the evening congregations, a staff
member representing the morning
congregations and a representative of the
Mission Support Group. The Panel reports to
Session and Management Committee. Session
has responsibility for approving the appointment
of Primary Partners. Ben Richardson currently
chairs the panel.
The Panel seeks and considers submissions for
support and makes recommendations. Partner
selection will be based on this strategy and will
normally be reviewed three yearly. Session has
authorized the Panel to allocate one-off
secondary project support. Annual Projects will
be recommended by staff and adopted by
Session before any appeal is launched. Ideally
the annual Christmas Appeal would alternate in
focus between the areas of Reach, Teach and
Care, though this may not always be possible.
The Mission Support Group will maintain active
supportive relationship with our key partners,
and provide information and activities to keep
the congregation focused and energized about
our partners. This may include a regular flow of
prayer points, video calls with our partners and
recommending short term missions from MPC
to take part in our partnership ministries.
Our Primary Partners
Financially our primary partners will be
supported with an annual allocation of $5000
each.
The Panel recommends Primary Partners to
Session for approval.
Secondary Project Support
At the recommendation of the Partnership Support
Panel, up to three allocations of $1000 can be
made each year through direct funding from the
Management Committee. This allows us to
selectively support other short term projects and
appeals as they arise, and may include support
requests from our network churches around
Brisbane’s north-side. The Treasurer will be
authorized to make these payments on the
recommendation of the Panel.
All budget allocations will be indexed yearly in line
with overall budget increase or as determined by
Session. The Partnership Support Panel will
monitor and review this strategy as required.
Existing Partnerships, Denominational
Commitments
MPC remains committed to our longstanding link
with Ian and Christine Case, who serve with WEC.
We also have fixed “State Mission Program”
commitments to PCQ which will be observed
under this policy. During 2012 our financial
contribution towards these commitments totalled
$21500.
Our Mission Together
With our focused support we express our gratitude
for God’s grace to us. We want to faithfully reach,
teach and care here on Brisbane’s north-side, and
see the same happen all around the world. As we
focus our energy and enter into true gospel
partnership, we at mpc stand with our partners in
one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for
the faith of the gospel (Phi 1:27).
Ben Richardson
Chair, Partner Support Panel
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Study 2 - Acts 2
When Jesus takes his place on the heavenly throne, it’s time for people of every
nation and language to bow to him. Spreading the news of that enthronement is the
apostles’ long term mission. Almost immediately, the consequence of their efforts to
reach unbelievers is that some repent and believe - and become ‘the church.’ By the
end of this study, we’ll see what happens then!
Read what happens in Acts 2:1-13.
a) Describe these events in your own words
b) When modern day Christians say they speak in tongues, it’s usually not the same
thing we see happening here. From verses 6-8, what’s the important thing about the
tongues the apostles are speaking in?
" What are all of the people hearing?
" What’s the purpose of these ‘tongues’?
PRE GROUP PREPARATION
Not as Drunk as we look!
Some people hear only the babble, and decide the apostles have been too long at
the pub. To set the record straight, it’s time for Peter to preach his first-ever sermon -
the first of ten long speeches recorded in Acts.
Read what he says, all the way from 2:14-40. As you read, note the verse references
for the following points.
✦ We’re not drunk - it’s the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32
✦ Joel said in the “last days” God would pour out his Spirit (and he has!)
✦ Joel said there’d be signs like the sun darkened (and there were!)
✦ Joel says all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (and you can be!)
✦ Jesus did signs and wonders by God’s power and you put him to death
✦ God raised him from death
✦ David said “I will live in hope, because you won’t let your Holy One see decay”
✦ But David died and decayed, so wasn’t the “holy one”
✦ Jesus was raised and has been “exalted” to God’s right hand (we saw it happen in
chapter 1) and has poured out the Spirit - just as David said
✦ Therefore God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ
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How does the crowd RESPOND to Peter’s sermon?
What does Peter call on them to do?
Why is this a logical consequence of the enthronement of Jesus?
What promise is made to them, and their children?
When you reach people with the message that Jesus is the risen King with the right
to rule the world, a repentant community is formed. So what’s the next step? You
gather them around the teaching of the Apostles!
The First Church
It’s amazing! Read Acts 2:41-47.
How many were added to their number by Peter’s speech?
What happens ‘daily’? (v47)
What four things are the church devoted to?
" 1.
" 2.
" 3.
" 4.
How do we access the teaching of the apostles today?
What would it look like for us to be ‘devoted’ to the apostles’ teaching? Are you?
" What preparation did the apostles have for this teaching role? (See 1:2, and
" also 1:21-22)
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Who does the wonders and miraculous signs (v43), and what effect would this have
had?
We’ll take a closer look at activities 2,3 and 4 in the next study. For now, let’s focus
on the importance of teaching in a couple of other passages…
" In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul says God first gave the apostles and prophets.
" Who came next?"
" " What is the role of the pastors and teachers?
"
" In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul is concerned to establish a future chain of leaders to
" ensure the spread of the gospel. What is Timothy to look for?
"
Our All In Effort...
It may be that you have the gifts and ability to teach God’s word to others. If so, we
want to help you develop and use those skills at mpc and beyond. There are
countless opportunities in teaching kidzbiz classes, leading growth groups, and
teaching RI classes in schools.
For all of us, there’s also a responsibility to be devoted to the teaching of God’s
word delivered through the apostles (New Testament) who testify about Jesus and
the prophets (Old Testament) who looked forward to him.
Our goal is to be a church where the teaching of
God’s word is central. We want to teach the
Bible from week to week, and to play our part in
teaching people to teach the Bible.
Here’s what your leadership team is committed to providing:
✦a clear, Christ-centred Sunday teaching program every week in every congregation
✦a growth group and kidzbiz program that integrates with Sunday teaching
✦occasional special teaching events with world class Bible teachers
✦training for kidzbiz, youth and growthgroup leaders
✦training for parents to help lead and teach their families
✦a new high priority program for ministry trainees
But what about you? Here are some ways to step up in 2013...
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Your part in making ‘Teach” a priority at mpc
✦Hear and grow! Be committed to hearing and doing God’s word. Commit to the full
series in a teaching program. Make it a priority to be in church, or to catch up on
missed weeks by podcast or online. Then put into action key things you learn.
✦Encourage others by passing on what you learn each week; encourage your
teachers by giving constructive feedback.
✦Attend at least one conference or teaching event in 2013 (eg Bible Teaching
Weekend)
✦Develop your gifts in this area; take a step to improve your skills as a bible teacher.
Discover if your particular skills might be helpful in teaching a kidzbiz class or
becoming a trainee (see next page).
✦Offer generous financial support to our trainee program (see next page)
Group Discussion
Are these expectations too hight for next year?
What other ways can you think of that we can encourage one another to be teaching and
learning God’s word?
Spend some time devoting yourselves to prayer, and make some plans to ‘break bread
together’ as a group to celebrate the end of the growth group year in a few weeks time.
FOR VISION SUNDAY
Read about our plans for ministry traineeships on the next two pages… and discuss it with your group. Will
you be prepared to vote to take on this financial commitment in our budget meeting on Vision Sunday?
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Training the next generation...
Historically, mpc has always been a training and sending church. Over the past decade
we’ve seen trainees and students like Stuart Atkinson, Jodie Day, Andrew Richardson, Matt
Viney, Jeremy Wales and Mick Wust grow in their teaching and ministry skills as they’ve
worked with us in training roles. Being a training church is costly. Not only do we invest in
training the next generation; often we then lose them to other areas of ministry around the
city or around the world. But it’s one of the most important ways we can contribute to
growing the Kingdom of God! In 2013 we’re launching a brand new training initiative.
Your elders are strongly backing this training project, fully aware of the cost. (In some
cases we hope to partner with the PCQ Ministry Training Network, which may provide
financial assistance.) We’d like you to meet the candidates...
Deon Naude
Deon has been part of mpc since mid 2008 when he started attending
Latechurch. After leaving school, Deon studied Mechantronics
Engineering & Arts (Japanese) at the University of Queensland during
which time he was involved with the AFES Christian group UQ
Christians. After this he worked at Word Bookstore and more recently
has been employing his engineering skills in his father’s business.
Deon was a part of the core team of the Village Church plant in mid
2009, and has been an integral part of the ministry and growth there.
He has been a Growth Group leader, a service leader and for the past
10 months has coordinated logistics of our Sunday meetings.
Deon is a mature, Godly man, who has demonstrated a deep desire to
see people become Christians and grow as Christians, and a wisdom to
know how to go about this. While his short-term desire is to continue to serve Village
Church and see it grow, his long-term future is to see how he can support the church in
Japan. We believe Deon has the gifts, the desire and the Godliness to be supported as he
explores this possibility.
Session proposes is that Deon becomes a full time MTN Trainee at Village Church. This
would mean applying for an MTN Scholarship from PCQ ($12,000 p.a.) with mpc paying him
an extra $18,000 p.a.
Jayesh Naran
Jayesh has been a part of mpc since the start of 2012 when he started
attending Village Church. After leaving school, Jayesh studied
Mechanical and Space Engineering at the University of Queensland,
during which time he was actively involved with the AFES group, UQ
Christians. Since graduating at the end of last year, he has been
working in different casual jobs part time as he looks for full-time
employment in engineering.
Jayesh has a passion for Jesus, and combines this with an
entrepreneurial spirit. His passion to see people come to know Jesus,
and hear the Bible taught faithfully is evident in his involvement at his
previous church (Metro West) as well as the ministry he has started for
young adults in Brisbane, Gospel Theatre. Gospel Theatre was an
initiative by Jayesh to provide an forum for young adults to get together to hear clear biblical
teaching via video sermons (Keller, Piper, Chandler, Carson etc.), and then to discuss how
this applies to their lives. Through this ministry, many have been exposed to expository
preaching where they might not have otherwise, and some have also become Christians.
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While he has only been with us a short time, it’s become evident that Jayesh is a gifted,
godly man who has a desire to use the gifts God has given him to grow followers of Jesus.
Session proposes that Jayesh become an MTN Trainee split between Morning Church
(60%) and Village Church (40%). This would mean applying for an MTN Scholarship from
PCQ ($12,000 p.a.) with mpc providing the extra $18,000 p.a.
Nat Carse
Nathan (Nat) was been a part of mpc his whole life, being
baptised here on 17 February, 1985. He currently works at The
Spot in Browns Plains as a Youth Worker, using the creative
industries (music and graphic design) to help young guys develop
skills, build confidence and work towards employment.
In the past few years Nat has been an active part of Latechurch,
and more recently Village Church. During his time at the Village
Church plant, Nat and his wife Danielle have headed up the
Welcoming team and this year have taken on the role of Growth
Group leaders.
Over the last couple of years, Nat has taken his love for Jesus and his passion and talents
for Hip Hop, and started (along with Warren McKenzie) an evangelistic outreach to those in
the Hip Hop sub-culture. This ministry is called Krosswerdz, and has seen significant growth
in numbers during this time, and a number of young guys come to know Jesus.
The proposal is that Nat be supported for 2 days work a week ($16,000 p.a.) to develop this
important and growing ministry, as well as beginning study at QTC to gain confidence in
teaching the Bible to those he is reaching and discipling. He will also be part of our mpc
training program.
Mel Risson
Mel Risson has been at mpc for over 3 years, and following Jesus for
many more. She works as a nurse doing community care and is
carrying out further study in healthcare for developing nations. She
has a great passion for youth and reaching her friends and
colleagues with the good news of Jesus. She has a naturally
compassionate and engaging personality and a heart that sees her
prayerfully and faithfully persist in helping people grow in their faith.
The proposal is that Mel takes the position of Student Minister
($8,000 p.a.) to work alongside the Youth in mpc she has already
invested so much of her life in.
Volunteer Trainees
Erin Croker and Esther Williams
Erin and Esther are keen to serve as part time volunteer ministry trainees in 2013. Erin will
assist in Women's Ministry at Latechurch, and Esther in morning church. We hope to be able
to provide a small ministry allowance to assist them in these ministries.
Excited? If you could offer financial support to this training program without reducing your regular
giving, please speak to Phil or Derek urgently. The first $10,000 has already been offered!
The total cost of the trainees listed is around $62,000.
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Study 3 - Acts 2, 5 and 6
Care - the good, the bad and the ugly
As the first church takes shape, it’s very clear that care and community go hand in
hand. As a community forms around the Apostles’ teaching about Jesus, it’s only
natural that certain things happen. But it’s not long before things start to go wrong!
Let’s take a look.
Let’s start where we left off last time, with the very first church.
Read Acts 2:42-47, and recall the four things the first Christians ‘devoted
themselves’ to.
" What do you think is meant by ‘the breaking of bread’? (See v 42 and 46.)
"
" How is this associated with ‘fellowship’?
" How did they care for people in need?
" How did these things affect their reputation?
It’s no surprise that a church that’s taught about the self-sacrificial but resurrected
Jesus puts a high priority on sacrificing for one another. It’s a beautiful picture - ‘they
ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all
the people.’
The acts of kindness spread - and when the apostles themselves are involved,
amazing things happen. In chapter 3, Peter heals a crippled beggar in Solomon’s
Colonnade (exactly where Jesus did the same thing in John 5), then makes a
powerful speech to the astonished crowd. Peter and John are soon arrested and
brought before the Sanhedrin (which had also convicted Jesus not long before.)
" From Acts 4:9-10, what did this ‘act of kindness’ demonstrate?
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"
" How can we do better at giving the reason for our acts of kindness?
In the early days of the church, there were many acts of incredible generosity. There
were also incredible acts of insincerity, just as there are today!
Read Acts 4:32-35.
1. From verse 32, what is the starting point for Christian sharing?
2. What attitude did these first Christians have to their possessions?
3. What is the continuing focus of the Apostles’ ministry?
4. Why were there no needy Christians?
5. How big would someone else’s need have to be to prompt YOU to sell your
house or land to help them?
How much would you be prepared to give up to help someone in need?
Attitude Counts!
As usual with Christian giving, your attitude as a giver counts far more than the
numbers on the cheque! Read Acts 4:36 to 5:11 for a case study of two giifts…
a) Barnabas
What does Barnabas do, and why?
b) Ananias and Sapphira
What do Ananias and Sapphira do, and why?
Was it wrong for them to with-hold some of the money?
What’s the essence of their sin?
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Non-Essential Giving!
1. From what Peter says, do you HAVE TO sell your property and give?
2. What do you see as the biggest difference between Barnabas and Ananias and
Sapphira?
3. What effect did God’s action have…
a) on the church?
b) on the wider community (v11-14)
It’s easy to do our good deeds for the sake of appearances, rather than from the
heart - but it’s deadly! How can we encourage one another to be more caring and
generous, yet at the same time sincere?
Another ‘care disaster’ was looming for the first church. With growth came growth
pains! Read Acts 6:1-7.
What was the problem?
What was the priority of the Apostles?
What was the solution?
" What were the required qualities of the Care Co-ordinators?
What was the direct result of this action?
What can we learn about
" * priorities
" * methods
" * principles"
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Our ALL IN EFFORT to care at mpc...
Care at mpc means growing a church family where
everyone plays a part in loving and serving in the
name of Jesus.
Our mpc leadership team will commit to:
✦modelling and leading in building a caring community, always motivated by love for
God’s people
✦providing skilled pastoral care and appropriate referrals in crisis situations
✦organising community building activities (dinners, events) to help you know and love
others in your church family
✦providing training courses in key life areas - eg parenting course, marriage course
✦encouraging and facilitating our network of ‘growth groups’ as the key means of
community and care across our congregations
✦providing opportunities and projects to provide opportunities for everyone to be involved
in practical care for others.
The needs around us sometimes seem endless - and maybe that stops you getting
involved. The challenge for 2013 is to get involved, and at least do something for
someone!
Look around with eyes of care. Spot needs and dream up solutions!
Pray for opportunities to help practically.
Make your growth group a caring community - starting with you!
Get involved in at least one care challenge, like our Community BBQ program (details on
Vision Sunday), and watch for other church-wide opportunities.