Read for This Week’s Study:
Acts 4:1–31, 21:19–25, 1 Cor. 9:19–23, Num. 13:17–33, Acts 11:1–18.
Memory Text:
“Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught” (Mark 6:30, NKJV).
Key Thought:
As a report of the early church’s missionary endeavors, the book of Acts is filled with lessons for us today.
The incredible growth of the early church has caused many to study the book of Acts. Consequently, many areas of church life have been examined in the light of the book—areas such as church growth, foreign missions, church administration, and evangelism. Though much has been gleaned from Acts on these topics, there are other areas, such as reporting, that have not received the attention they deserve.
Reporting in the book of Acts builds upon the reporting in the Gospels and shows that this important activity of church life has a significant impact upon the success of witnessing and evangelism. Quite simply, we need to know what is going on, what works, and what doesn’t.
This week we will examine how the early evangelists reported to their leaders and to the church as a whole. The aim is to understand the importance of reporting and to see where it can positively enhance the witnessing and evangelism strategies of a local church.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 16.
Happy Sabbath saints.
For all the different reasons why we do or don’t need to report: I think it is of greater importance to remember the fruit of the Holy Spirit and to let the two different views balance it other by “gentleness, faith and meekness.” What the Holy Spirit leads some to do, does not need to be understood by me, if I believe God is in control.
I remember my first Sabbath school teacher who commented after every single contribution with a “thank you.” Whether you deal with people who are forthright or timid, such behaviour encourages everyone to grow and will grow the church : )