Cornerstone Family Church
Serving And Learning Together - Study Guide 1 - Passage: Acts 6:1-7
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S.A.L.T. – Study Guide 1 – “Serving Together”
Main Passage: Acts 6:1-7
Study Guide Overview
The early church experienced phenomenal growth but not without the pains that came along with their rapid expansion. The church body today faces similar challenges that Christians have to grapple with in order to stay true to their calling. Study guide users will enjoy wrestling with topics that center around volunteering and the use of gifts and how qualified people need to be or not need to be in order to serve others. Individuals will be challenged to reflect on the impact others have had on their lives while watching for opportunities to minister as well.
Group Conversation Starter
Do you have any “hidden” talents that might surprise people? Can you share it with the group?
Bible Passages
Acts 6:1-7
1 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.
4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).
6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Discussion Questions and Next Steps Below
Group Discussion Questions
- The early church experienced growing pains. Have you ever experienced “growing” pains? How did you work through them? Do you think the “growing” is worth the “pain?” (Acts 6:1)
- The Apostles had been called to teach and pray but couldn’t do everything without help. Do you think the job that the people were asked to help with was as important as the job the Apostles were doing? Why or why not? (Acts 6:2)
- The Apostles chose respected, wise and Spirit-filled people to help minister to the growing church. How talented do you think a person has to be to volunteer in a church? (Acts 6:3-4)
- When individuals of a church body become active and work together great things can happen for God’s Kingdom. What do you think was the most impressive thing that resulted from this story about the early church? (Acts 6:7)
Personal Next Steps
Self-Check
- Has a Christian volunteer ever impacted your life for God? How did you change as a result?
- Have you ever volunteered to be a blessing to others? Do you feel God’s Spirit leading you now to volunteer and minister to others?
Continuing the Conversation
Who could you invite to come volunteer with you that could grow closer to God as a result?
Pray
Thank God for giving us the talents and abilities to be a blessing to others.
CORNERSTONE FAMILY CHURCH
Written by: Pastor Todd McGlinchey, Pastor Joe Albertini, Pastor Hal Gaudet