July 18 | Disciples Are Devoted to God’s Work

Series | The Life of Discipleship

Scripture | Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Lesson 18 | Disciples Are Devoted to God’s Work

In the above passage Luke, the author of Acts and companion of Paul, notes four major things the first disciples were devoted to, (1) The Apostle’s teaching, (2) Fellowship, (3) Breaking of bread, and to (4) Prayer.

These four things are still very important for today’s disciples to be devoted to.  First, in the time of the early church the New Testament books hadn't been completed yet because the apostles were writing it over their lifetime.  Therefore, if a first century disciple wanted to hear the Word of God they needed to go to where the apostles were teaching and have fellowship with them.  Thus, the modern equivalent of disciples devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship would be reading the Bible and going to church, 2 Timothy 4:2.

Second, the phrase “breaking of bread” most likely refers to communion.  Communion is a time when disciples remember the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross by partaking of bread and wine (or grape juice).  The symbolic act of taking communion results in a spiritual renewal and testimony of God’s amazing grace.  The modern application of “breaking bread” is simply taking communion and rejoicing in God’s goodness with other disciples, 1 Cor. 11:25.

Lastly, the disciples devoted themselves to prayer.  Prayer for them could either be in groups, like in Acts 4:31, when they prayed for God to fill them with boldness and the house they prayed in was shaken.  And other times, praying would refer to their private times of fellowshipping with God.  The modern application of prayer would be to both pray in public with others and privately by yourself.

In summary, every disciple should be devoted to reading their Bible, going to church, partaking of communion, and praying.  I believe when we do what the early disciples did, we will see what the early disciples saw- God’s Kingdom come to earth!    

Reflection | Are you devoted to reading your Bible, going to church, taking communion, and prayer?

Action | (1) Examine your heart to see if you need to repent for not being devoted to God as you should. (2) Be devoted to a great church. (3) Lastly, pray, read your Bible, and receive communion as often as you can.   

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34, Romans 4:13-5:5, Psalm 14:1-7, & Proverbs 19:17. Click here to read online.