Day 16 - Sheep Go in Flocks
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people. This powerful statement summarises something at the very core of the Christian life - community is who we are. As true as it is to say that a daughter was born of her mother, so too is a Christian born of the Church. We are born again into the family of God. We get a glimpse at what that looked like among the early church in Acts 2:42.
As a follower of Jesus these are not things that should fit into our busy schedules. They are things that we should give our busy schedules away for! Equally important is the revelation that the believers devoted themselves to these four areas not in isolation, but in community. A further reading of Acts 2:43-47 makes this abundantly clear. Christians were born to be together!
The apostles’ teaching
This is a core part of the Christian life and it is something that belongs in community. When was the last time you had a conversation with a good friend about the what God is revealing to you, or the word you heard preached last week? It is these moments that can help spur each other on.
Fellowship
This word denotes a sense of unity. In Luke 19 we read about Zacchaeus and how one moment of fellowship with Jesus changed his life forever. With Jesus living within us, fellowship with others can have the same effect. Not only does fellowship change us, but it maintains us and grows us. As we see in Proverbs 27:17: ‘As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.’
Breaking of bread
The early church shared life together. Nothing is as bonding as sharing a meal. Not only does it give us more opportunity for fellowship, but it gives us a chance to be generous and bless our brothers and sisters. It is that joyful generosity that is counter-cultural in our day.
Prayer
Ultimately, they were immersed in prayer, which enabled them to not only consider others but help them focus on achieving the great commission.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:9-12
Christians were designed for community. Community unlocks health and growth in our lives as individuals, in turn unlocking the same in others.