GateWay Visalia
Generous Living
Generous Living: Going Above & Beyond
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:30 PM
Sunday 8:45 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Ecclesia = A mob
A mob with a PURPOSE
A mob with the purpose of CARING
A mob with the purpose of SHARING
So What?!
The Early Church was not afraid to go above and
beyond by:
beyond by:
#1. Taking RISKS
#2. Giving SACRIFICIALLY
#3. Sharing their FAITH
#4. Attempting new MINISTRIES
Generous Living: Going Above & Beyond
Acts 2, 3, 4
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What was one of your greatest risks? (marriage, kids, job, move?)
Read: Acts 2:42 - 3:11 & 4:32-37
If the Early Church was not afraid to go above and beyond by taking risks, what risks do you find inherent in Acts 2:46-47? What are the different kinds of risks in this passage; spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, communal, familial? What kinds of tensions could have arisen as this large group took church risks?
What did it mean to be theologically of “one mind?”
As they “broke bread” from house to house and ate together how did that help in forming close relationships? Did you ever have a group of people have dinner together regularly? How did that help you deepen your relationship?
As they came together they were “praising God,” which can be different for different people. How do you praise God at home? Or at church, at work, with family or alone?
If “The Lord was adding to their number daily,” they must have been inviting others. Who have you invited or would want to invite?
Acts 3:1-11, Peter heals a man who had been lame his entire life. Luke tells us twice that he was praising God and then tells us he was “clinging” to Peter and John. Obviously he was overwhelmed with amazement and gratitude. What’s one thing that amazes you, that God has done for you and in you?
Acts 4:32-37, states that people were sharing. Notice this is not mandated, but is a voluntary action on the part of the church so that people’s needs were met. Luke tells us that “abundant grace” was on them all. How has God’s grace been demonstrated to you? With what has God blessed you?
Talk about how living life was different 150 years ago, during the Civil War. What were the struggles, diseases, medicine, food supply, and lack of conveniences?
The one thing the apostles were “giving witness to” was the resurrection of Jesus. When you talk about Jesus do you talk about being saved from sin, the grace of forgiveness, the benefits of salvation, worship and relationships at church? How often do you talk about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead? That’s probably one we don’t talk about often enough!!!
Stop, pray and thank God for all the amazing things He’s given you and done in you.
Family Time: Christians for centuries have fasted. Have each of your kids chose something that is meaningful to them that they’re willing to give up for the afternoon/evening. At the end of the day talk about how thankful you are for that and how giving it up for a little while makes you more grateful to God for what you enjoy having.
Acts 2, 3, 4
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What was one of your greatest risks? (marriage, kids, job, move?)
Read: Acts 2:42 - 3:11 & 4:32-37
If the Early Church was not afraid to go above and beyond by taking risks, what risks do you find inherent in Acts 2:46-47? What are the different kinds of risks in this passage; spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, communal, familial? What kinds of tensions could have arisen as this large group took church risks?
What did it mean to be theologically of “one mind?”
As they “broke bread” from house to house and ate together how did that help in forming close relationships? Did you ever have a group of people have dinner together regularly? How did that help you deepen your relationship?
As they came together they were “praising God,” which can be different for different people. How do you praise God at home? Or at church, at work, with family or alone?
If “The Lord was adding to their number daily,” they must have been inviting others. Who have you invited or would want to invite?
Acts 3:1-11, Peter heals a man who had been lame his entire life. Luke tells us twice that he was praising God and then tells us he was “clinging” to Peter and John. Obviously he was overwhelmed with amazement and gratitude. What’s one thing that amazes you, that God has done for you and in you?
Acts 4:32-37, states that people were sharing. Notice this is not mandated, but is a voluntary action on the part of the church so that people’s needs were met. Luke tells us that “abundant grace” was on them all. How has God’s grace been demonstrated to you? With what has God blessed you?
Talk about how living life was different 150 years ago, during the Civil War. What were the struggles, diseases, medicine, food supply, and lack of conveniences?
The one thing the apostles were “giving witness to” was the resurrection of Jesus. When you talk about Jesus do you talk about being saved from sin, the grace of forgiveness, the benefits of salvation, worship and relationships at church? How often do you talk about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead? That’s probably one we don’t talk about often enough!!!
Stop, pray and thank God for all the amazing things He’s given you and done in you.
Family Time: Christians for centuries have fasted. Have each of your kids chose something that is meaningful to them that they’re willing to give up for the afternoon/evening. At the end of the day talk about how thankful you are for that and how giving it up for a little while makes you more grateful to God for what you enjoy having.