Acts 2:42-47  

Develop a Belonging Foundation vv.42-44
 
Let’s define belonging foundation: Helping visitors and new members connect in community with our church. Stats say that if visitors get connected to a small group like Sunday School, they have a better chance of feeling part of the church community. If they feel part of the church community, they will hopefully serve.
 
1 Cor. 12:14 “For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”
 
In Mark Dever’s book, “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church,” he suggest nine things that produce a belonging culture. Expositional Preaching, Biblical Theology, The Gospel, A Biblical Understanding of Conversion, A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism, A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership, Biblical Church Discipline, A Concern for Discipleship and Growth, Biblical Church Leadership.
 
People are leaving out of the backdoor, we want to connect them in such a way that they know they belong.
 
Delight in an Outward Focus v.45
 
Defining Outward Focus would be: developing ways to reach people for Christ who would not normally come to church. It’s the cry of the Great Commission to go!
 
  1. Adopting a school to help feed hungry students (backpack bubbies)
  2. An after school homework tutoring or adult literacy program
  3. An art or music program for community children.
  4. Feeding a local sports team (April 17th)
  5. Developing a ministry that addresses a significant problem in the community.
 

These are just a few ideas, but anything that intentionally earns the right to share the message of Christ. Leaders who are outwardly focused are less likely to be catch up into inward battles.   

Desire to be Invitation Fueled vv.46-47
 
Let’s define Invitation Fueled. It’s developing a culture that invites and welcomes people to church. It means that we are welcoming new people into our fellowship and helping them connect to Christ and our faith community.
 

Andrew was a great example of this: John 1:40-42 “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).”