Romans 6:3-5 “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”

In baptism _______________________________________________

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In baptism _______________________________________________

Romans 6:1-2, 6-7 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? … For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”

1 Peter 3:21 “…this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ…”

In baptism _______________________________________________

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Matthew 3:16-17 “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”

Acts 22:16 “What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.”

Uncovered Baptism & Communion

Ben Davis March 18th & 19th, 2017

Small Group Discussion Questions

Baptism and Communion

This weekend we conclude our series on uncovering ancient practices. Each practice is “for the purpose of godliness.” A more familiar way to say this is: we become better followers of Jesus when we apply these practices to our lives.

We covered: Solitude, Fasting, Hospitality, Serving, Confessing, Baptism and Communion.

Questions

1. Which of these practices were new for you? Which of these practices are the easiest/most natural for you? Which practices do you have experience with? Which of these practices, that you don’t currently do, would you be willing to train for during the next week?

2. What specific impact would these practices have on the various areas of your life? (As a parent, spouse, employee, employer, neighbor, friend)

This section is to review and recap the series. There are no right and wrong answers to these questions. The purpose is to spend time talking about what we have learned, how and why we should apply them to our lives, and to imagine what our lives could be like by putting them into practice. Ultimately these practices will bear out in our lives as we demonstrate the fruit of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, see Gal 5:22. As we become “ better followers of Jesus, not only will we grow, we will help others to grow.

Read Acts 2:42-47

Icebreaker

What do you devote yourself to daily? (Getting up early, exercise, TV, work, spouse, kids are all possible answers, no right or wrong answer) The point is we all are devoted to something daily, even if it is doing nothing!

1. Why do you think these people got together?

This is a great opportunity to really think about what the early church was like. They had just seen Jesus crucified and raise from the dead a couple of months ago! They were celebrating the risen savior, death had been defeated and they had hope!

2. What word best describes the atmosphere in this passage? Why?

Don’t rush past this question. Two weeks ago we celebrated our 20th birthday. You could feel the energy in the air. It was a homecoming as many returned to RG for the first time in years. Now, imagine what the Acts 2 church felt like.

3. What made the early church so appealing to others?

Inclusive, inviting, invigorating, and more! Talk about it.

4. If you had been invited to be part of this community, what would have been your reaction?

5. What is the closest you have come to experiencing the kind of close fellowship described here in Acts?

6. What keeps the church from experiencing this kind of fellowship now?

7. What aspect of life in the early church do you most desire for your church or this group?

Acts 2 Church:

These questions are from the text and included to help with understanding and remembering the passage.

1. How big and “small” was the church at this point?

See Acts 1:15 and compare with Acts 2:41. Whoa! What happened???

2. What core activities marked the early church?

Teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer is the core activities of the early church. Why are they so important to the growth of individuals and the church? Talk it through

3. What attributes describe the early church and the individuals with in it?

4. What were the results from this lifestyle of the early Church?

Appl ication and Discussion Questions:

1. What differences do you see between the Acts 2 church and the 21st century church?

2. What role do you have as a member of the church?

3. Which of these activities do you personally find to be the most challenging?

4. How do we distinguish man-centered religion from Spirit-fueled devotion (v.42)

We all have a part to play in the church. Remember “it’s not about me”

Read 1 Cor inthians 11 :23-34

1. When has the Lord’s Supper been particularly meaningful to you?

2. Paul repeats the words used during the Lord’s Supper in verses 23-26. How do you respond when you hear these words during communion?

3. In this passage Paul instructs the Corinthians to examine themselves prior to partaking of the Lord’s Supper? How is this done? What are the consequences of receiving the Lord’s Supper “in and unworthy manner?”

4. Why is it important for Christians to observe the “Lord’s Supper?” What does communion mean to you?

5. What can you do to best prepare yourself before you next receive communion?