Meet Together

Verses 24-25 are particularly challenging to read today. My family recently felt a clear call to find a new church.

Nothing bad happened, but it was clear that we need to find a new place to serve.

It is difficult to “meet together” while in transition.

Debate

In verses 1-6, we read about the struggle the early church went through as they figured out how to include Gentiles.

Wisely, they discuss the opposing points-of-view in a formal council at Jerusalem.

Barnabas and Saul

In verses 22-26, we see Barnabas and Saul teaming up for the first time.

They are powerhouses in the growth of the early Church.

Sharing

In verses 42-47, we read about the experiences of the early church.

How can today’s church get closer to what is described in these verses?

Titus 1 Commentary

In this commentary, the authors note that Titus is responsible for parenting a church out of infancy and into a more mature stage of development.

That’s an interesting concept, imagining an organization like a church “growing up.”

Titus

Paul writes this letter to a young pastor in Crete.

It is a practical letter, focused largely on the importance of strong leadership and clear teaching in the church.

Jesus “The Body”

We spend lots of time thinking about getting our bodies in shape.

But what kind of shape is the church in these days?

What do you think it would look like?

Theme: Unity

According to the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, unity was a common and popular theme in the first century.

Paul builds upon this interest and connects the concept of unity to the Church.

Outline of 1 Timothy 3

Image by NCinDC via Flickr

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1 Corinthians 14:39

In this verse, Paul explicitly forbids the Corinthian church to forbid speaking in tongues.

However, in today’s culture, very conservative churches forbid speaking in tongues.

Why do we take the message that women should keep silent in churches more seriously than Paul’s teaching on tongues?