They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 NIV
Growing my faith requires being
- Devoted to a lifestyle of worship
- Corporate worship
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV
“Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 NLT
- Individual worship
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 6:5-6 NLT
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
Worship renews your faith and restores your joy.
2. Devoted to practicing the “One another’s” (Fellowship)
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 NLT
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV
3. Devoted to my own spiritual growth (Discipleship)
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV
We grow spiritually as we pursue the same priorities and practices as seen in the life of Jesus.
- His priorities
*Doing the will of the Father
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34 NV
*Caring for people
*The Kingdom of God
- His practices
*Prayer
*Scripture
*Small group
*Core group
4. Devoted to serving with my time, talent, and treasure
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
5. Devoted to sharing and demonstrating the Gospel through words and actions.
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Philemon 1:6 NIV 1984
“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17 NASB 1995