The Discipleship PathwaySample

Pathway Step Three: Devote

Today’s scripture passage picks up the story after the apostle Peter has made a case for Christ to the men of Jerusalem. Since these men were Jewish, Peter lays out how the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled in Christ… and his testimony works! About “three thousand souls” were baptized as new followers that day.

What happens next—as described in today’s passage—gives us a way forward, down the Discipleship Pathway, after we have become followers of Christ: these new followers DEVOTED themselves “to the word, to worship, and to one another.”

The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. They immersed themselves in the story of God to make sense of the stories of their own lives and what they were living through. They didn’t just discuss it. They applied and obeyed it. They memorized the miracles and saw them happen again as they believed and devoted themselves to the word.

They also devoted themselves to worship. Nothing could stop them from praying alone or corporately, in gatherings large or small.

And they devoted themselves to one another. When one was arrested, everyone prayed. When another was sick, everyone prayed. When they were all persecuted, everyone prayed. They opened their homes and their hearts and their pockets to share with one another. They forgave those who hurt them and freely gave to those in need. They loved God with all their hearts, and they loved one another.

So my question is this: Do you believe that can happen again? Where you are? Today? Could you be part of that happening? Are you willing to DEVOTE yourself to the word, to worship, and to the people God has placed in your life?

As we’ll see over the next two days, the DEVOTED get DEVELOPED and DEPLOYED by God to do great things as they follow the Discipleship Pathway.