Musing – What Would Cause the Church to Grow Faster?

Hebraic Musing – What Would Cause the Church to Grow Faster?

Where do we see an example of amazing spontaneous explosive expansion of local congregations? 
A – In Acts 1:15 the church starts with Peter preaching to 120 believers; and it grew by adding 5,000 a few times and by Acts 21:20 the scholars believe there were 50,000 to 100,000 Jews in the church.  (And a lot of Gentiles!)  In a very short time the church (believers) grew from 120 to at least 50,000 people, mostly Jews.

Rick Warren asked an important practical question “Where in the world did they hold all of these people?”  Well, they used a method that could still work today.  “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”  Acts 5:42 NIV   Two observations:

First, they met in the big gathering places (temple courts & Synagogues), but also in their homes (“house to house”).  They were connected with home fellowships!  In my earlier Christian days we did a lot more home group gatherings!  Not so much anymore!

Second, “they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news.”  Would that enthusiasm grow the Kingdom of God?   And/or your church?

In Acts 2:42-47 we find Secrets to Success; the bases for their enthusiasm and their church building success:
 - They grew spiritually.
 - They spent time in fellowship.
 - They worshiped.
 - They were filled with Awe!
 - They ministered to one another.
 - They met daily.
 - They were viewed favorably in the community.
 - They evangelized the lost.

Acts 2:42-47 is entitled The Fellowship of the Believers?  Do you see each of these “Secrets of Success”?  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.   Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.   Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

These small groups in Acts were microcosms of the Church of Jesus Christ.  They fulfilled the five purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. They were purpose-driven small groups, meeting daily in homes!  A healthy church has healthy groups!

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Did you score yourself on the 8 “secrets to Success”?   What can I do that “They” did?    

How can I/we be as enthusiastic as “They” were?     Why aren’t we/I?   Why not?!?!

Notice that the numbers grew without mention of overt evangelism!!!
(I’ll bet the neighbors were watching their genuine enthusiasm.)

Where does Spiritual growth best take place?  Large assembly?  or   Small groups?

Where will the Church meet during this or the next or permanent “lockdown”?

My favorite song after accepting Christ! ♫  It only takes a spark to get a fire going,  And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.  That's how it is with God's Love, Once you've experienced it, You’ll spread the love to everyone,  You want to pass it on.   I wish for you my friend  This happiness that I've found.   You can depend on Him, It matters not where you're bound.    I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!    I want the world to know…  The Lord of love has come to me    I want to pass it on.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                  May 26, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by Rick Warren’s “What the Bible Teaches About Small Groups”, August 7, 2019