Continually Devoted

Read: Acts 2:42-47

Continually Devoted; “the apostle’s teaching”

Good morning everyone! I have not forgotten about you! I forgot to mention that I would be camping in the desert with our students and teaching them about how God uses the barren places in life as a catalyst for spiritual growth and development. That part of our trip was amazing and quite fruitful, but we were totally unplugged during that time. We are now on the second part of our trip - making our way back home to SC - stopping in CO for a few days. I have missed writing to you all! My friendJosh N. asked me if these devotions were all written out ahead of time and just sent piece by piece. The answer is actually no. Each morning / day when I send them out I am reading and writing… asking the Lord what he wants me to send to his people. It is probably one of my favorite parts of the day… this writing to you. Hopefully we can pick back up where we left off. Let us hop back in…

“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching…”

The people of God are committed to the apostles' teaching. If we look back at what Peter taught we see that the apostle’s teaching during this time was made up of the scriptures and the declaration of Christ’s life and ministry. (cf. Acts 2:14-41 as an example) They were proclaiming the Kingdom of God. It is interesting that these early Christians, at least here, are not described as being devoted to “bible study”. Why is that?

The people of God are devoted to studying the bible - no doubt - but HOW we study the bible is actually just as important as the act itself. (re: bible study, cf. Joshua 1:8, 2 Tim 3:16-17, John 14:23-24, etc.). We see that here in a number of ways:

Those with more maturity / experience were leading those younger in their faith:

Notice how the apostles were teaching the scriptures. What is this functionally? Well, the apostles had more time with Jesus and studying with him. In this sense they were more mature in their faith. It is quite simply a matter of those who are more mature speaking into the study of those who are young in their faith. We need to be studying the bible with others who are further along in their faith journey… more mature… with more experience in studying the scriptures.

They were not studying the scriptures “alone”:

Notice how they did this TOGETHER”. They were talking with one another. They had the input of the apostles. There was a unity in what they were studying. They were on the same page. There is great power and transformation when we engage the scriptures TOGETHER… with each other. Bible study was never meant to be a “personal” event… an “isolated” occurrence that happens “alone”. Quite the opposite actually.

The “apostles teaching” goes beyond the scriptures:

The apostles not only taught the scriptures, but they expounded on what they meant in light of Christ. The apostles were led by the Spirit when they spoke. They declared the life of Christ, and the good news that the work of Christ ushered in. They spoke of something that they had experienced! This was not a dry message about something they read in a “book”. The apostles were using their spiritual gifts… modeling for the people how to live a spirit-filled life. In this sense, to be devoted to the “apostle’s teaching” is to be devoted to the work of the Spirit alongside the scriptures. This is both the “head” and the “heart”! It looks like the scriptures interwoven with what the Spirit is leading us in and our experience with the life of Christ!

This is the sort of vibrant and alive “bible study” that the people of God are called into. It is so much more interactive and dynamic than we make it. It is the community of God studying together and sharing with one another. The “older” mentoring and leading the younger. Asking each other questions. Digging into the word together. Telling others about the life of Christ and sharing with each other how we have been transformed. It is learning to use your spiritual gifts. Does that sound exciting to you? That is what it is like to be a community devoted to the apostles teaching. We have made bible study dry and isolated… it need not be that way! Who could you begin to lead… someone you have more experience and maturity in the faith than? Who are you being led by? Who are you reading the bible together with them? Does it ever go beyond the words of the scriptures to actual application and movement in your life? Are you hungry for that? I know I am! Love you guys! - JDP