3: Life in the Early Church - Discussion Starters

Life in the early church. Sounds like everybody was having a good time, doesn’t it? What activities did these members seem to enjoy most, according to Acts? After they sold all of their possessions, how did they spend their time in Jerusalem with their Christian friends. With things going so well, how did it happen that the beautiful sense of unity was already marred? Or was it?
Teaching and fellowship. Would you like to plan an ongoing camp meeting with praying, studying, and eating together? What different activities took place in the temple compared with private homes? Acts doesn’t mention sports activities, games, or parties. What do you think the children did during this time? How were these activities related to the Second Coming? How would you like to belong to a church with members who were “constantly together”? What did the home provide as an element in the early church structure?
The healing of a lame man. How did the healing of the lame man set the stage for Peter’s sermon? What five main teachings would you hear if you had attended these early sermons? Do we present these same truths today? Is the message we proclaim in these last days different from the message of the apostles in the early days of the Christian church? What reason(s) could you give to support the statement by our early church leader and prophet, Ellen White, that there is one message that should take prominence over all others. What is that message?
The Rise of Opposition. How long did peace and tranquility prevail before arguments made themselves known? Why did the Pharisees and Sadducees object so strenuously to what Peter and John were preaching? How did they express their dismay? And how did the disciples respond to the command of the Sanhedrin? Does it almost seem that the Holy Spirit granted wisdom to the disciples that was far superior to words of wisdom from the Jewish-trained authorities? How did this happen?
Ananias and Sapphira. How could you explain to every-day twenty-first century Christians that Ananias and Sapphira had committed a horrible sin that brought on their death? Do you think that since this event occurred about two thousand years ago, other prominent members of the church may have withheld offerings and in other ways proved that they were not truly committed to promises they have made to support the work of God? What are the consequences of holding back what we have promised to God?
The second arrest. Why do you think the Jewish leaders were terribly upset by the miracles of healing performed by the disciples? Didn’t they associate the work of the disciples with the divinity of Christ? What did jealousy have to do with the determination of religious leaders to do away with the disciples? What was the logical approach Gamaliel took in keeping the Sanhedrin from killing the apostles? Instead of being put to death, what happened to the apostles? What was the effect on these believers and leaders of God’s church?

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3: Life in the Early Church – Discussion Starters

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