Happiness Reflection Guide – September 23, 2019
Monday
Read: Acts 2:42-47
“42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ” (NIV Acts 2:42-47)
Study: The very first Christians lived out their faith as a fairly small, largely unknown group, living in a city that had crucified their Lord. But the apostles’ teaching, prayer, fellowship and a radical spirit of generosity bound them together and brought joy to their communities. Together, they left behind a model of lives blessed in awesome ways by God’s presence. These early Christians lived a communal lifestyle, probably as a way of dealing with persecution and ostracism. In our prosperous, tolerant communities, we have other options for living out our faith. In what ways can you live in the first Christians’ spirit, sharing what you have so that there can be enough resources for people in need?
Prayer: God, let me live into the example of the first Christians who found hope and joy even under persecution. Let me share that joy with others. Amen.