Exploring the Book of Acts: Missional CommunitySample

Prayerful and Discerning

After receiving Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit would give them power for witness, the small community of believers gave themselves to persistent and unified prayer. One hundred and twenty men and women prayed together as one. As they waited and prayed, Peter received insight from Scripture about how to interpret the painful experience of Judas’ betrayal. He encouraged the community to recognize God’s sovereignty and proposed a plan for selecting a twelfth apostle. Their corporate discernment process was another expression of their togetherness and reliance on God.

Read Acts 1:12-26 and then consider:

1. What is significant about the disciples using their period of waiting to gather in prayer? What might they be praying about?
2. One of Luke’s favourite words to describe the early church is ‘together,’ a word that literally means ‘with one mind’ or ‘with one passion’ and connotes an image of different notes that create a harmonised sound. How might the oneness of mind of this initial group be important in the days to come?
3. Why was it important to replace Judas? How might completing the leadership team impact the mission? How might it impact the community?
4. When have you experienced deep unity with other Christians? How did prayer and corporate spiritual discernment contribute to that unity?