A Community of Cooperation

A Community of Cooperation
  • Dan Haakenson
  • Sep 26, 2010
  • Series: What are WE here for? Lessons from Acts
Further Reflection, Discussion, and Application
  1. Read Acts 6:1-7.  Imagine what is happening for this young and growing church (see Acts 4:4 and 6:1); what do you think it would take to minister to the needs there?
  2. Complaining and conflict (6:1) is nothing new – not even in church. What have you learned about complaining and conflict – where it comes from, what it produces, what happens if the complaint isn’t communicated, how to handle it, etc.?  How does this passage speak to those questions?  How does this relate to you and our church?
  3. How much do you think we should make of the statement in verse 1 about the cultural / ethnic difference?  What are the groups that you are most prone to feel alienated from and why (for some it is ethnicity, for others it can be age, cultural and stylistic differences, etc.)? What would God want you to do in not being distanced from them, especially as fellow believers?
  4. What was the priority of the apostles (6:2, 4)? Why is this important – to them, to the church, to us today?
  5. The seven that are mentioned here are given the leadership responsibility to oversee the ministry described here.  What qualities are looked for in these servant leaders (6:3)?  What does it look like to see those qualities in a person and why is it important?  Note that the broader context mentions five character traits as exemplary here – full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace and power (6:3,5,8,10) – how can you grow in these traits as a person and a servant?
  6. The message was built around three simple statements – there are needs; we are to work together; you have a part to play – talk briefly about each of those as it relates to SunHills and to you.
  7. Ministry is to be ‘turned over’ and given to the people – to you (this is in Acts 6 and the rest of the Scriptures).  What is your response to the reality that you are to serve and minister?  (a) I love serving. (b) I’m doing enough already.  (c) No way, I come here to be served… not to serve.  (d) I guess I could but it’s kind of scary or I’m unsure what I’d do.  (e) I’m ready to serve; just point me in the right direction.
  8. Where is it that you might be able to serve and minister?  What next step can you take?

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