The Power of Community: Awe and Wonder Series

Download the sermon guide to print here.

This week’s sermon studied community life of the early Church as described in Acts 2:42-47. Pastor Jimmy Seibert explored how devotion to God’s Word, fellowship, prayer and generosity created an atmosphere of awe and wonder — and how we can cultivate similar experiences in our own faith communities today. Let’s dive deeper into these transformative principles and consider how we might apply them to our lives.

This sermon emphasizes:

• The early Church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
• True fellowship (Koinonia) involves meeting with God, caring for one another and leaving changed.
• The presence of God brings awe and wonder when we gather to encourage and pray for one another.
• Generous giving within the community leads to breakthroughs and God’s provision.
• Communion reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and unites us with believers worldwide
• We’re called to move from being outsiders to insiders in God’s family through faith in Christ.

Key Scriptures:

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 (NASB1995)

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB1995)

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5 (NASB1995)

Table Questions:

These are questions based on the scriptures and sermon to help you put the teaching into practice. They can be used in discipleship, Lifegroup, as a family or with whoever is around your table this summer.

1. What does it mean to be “devoted” to the apostles’ teaching in our modern context?
2. How can we create spaces for deeper fellowship (Koinonia) in our busy lives?
3. Share a time when you experienced God’s presence in a powerful way while praying with others.
4. What obstacles might prevent us from sharing our resources as freely as the early Church did?
5. How has participating in communion impacted your faith journey?
6. In what ways can we make our small groups or life groups more welcoming to newcomers?
7. Describe a time when someone’s generosity made a significant impact on your life.
8. How might we incorporate more spontaneous prayer into our daily interactions with fellow believers?
9. What practical steps can we take to prioritize studying Scripture together?
10. How can we cultivate a greater sense of unity and “one mind” within our church community?