Bgroup Lesson Jun 09
Big Idea: The church is intended by God to be a fine tuned machine that operates as the body of Christ, but sometimes we hit a major problem that causes us to stop being effective. Thankfully we see how the early church had this same problem and moved past it. Let's dive into Acts 6:1-7 to discover some crucial lessons about an empowered church.
Key Scriptures:
Acts 6:1–7 (NLT) But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Acts 6:1 (NLT) But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.
Observation 1: The first problem occurred as the believers multiplied rapidly.
Just like an elephant needs bigger bones to support its immense weight, in the same way, the church must be empowered to handle the sheer size of the mission and body. We see this principle in the Old Testament as well in Exodus 18. Moses was trying to judge all of Israel himself. His father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to delegate and appoint leaders to help him. We see the need for structure, leadership, and empowerment becomes absolutely critical with increasing size and scope. (Exodus 18:13-26)
Discussion Questions: Have you ever been to a new restaurant or business and received poor customer service or goods due to lack of proper staffing? How did that make you feel? Did the restaurant/company suffer? How can this same issue present itself in a church setting?
Acts 6:1b (NLT) The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
Observation 2: When the church isn't properly empowered, we don't operate as smoothly as we should. People get left out, marginalized, etc.
The early church faced issues of neglect due to an uneven distribution of resources, which shows us that if we’re not empowered and organized, ministry will suffer. Inefficiency leads to some in the body feeling left out or ignored. This shouldn't be! Every member has value and shouldn’t be overlooked in ministry.
We see these 3 things when the church isn’t properly empowered:
Discussion Questions: Is there a ministry or group of people you personally feel burdened for? What are you doing to help reach and care for those individuals? Is there a group at the church you can serve with, or is God calling you to step out and begin ministering in a specific arena?
Acts 6:2 (NLT) So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the Word of God, not running a food program.
Observations 3: It's amazing when each part of the body recognizes that there are appropriate focuses for some that aren't the right focus for others. If we are all focused on the same task, we aren't properly knowing our place and supporting the rest of the body.
We must give one another the permission to not all do the same thing! God has gifted each of us uniquely, and we take joy in these distinct callings. We should celebrate one another’s uniqueness and encourage each other to operate within those gifts. Think of a sports team. You have different players with different positions. You need each, using their unique skill set, working together to achieve success. Discover your giftings! Follow the Spirit’s leading and start serving!
When you do someone else's role:
Discussion Questions: Name one gift you know God has given you so that you can bless and help others. How can you plug in at Bethany and use your gifts to help others? Name one weakness or thing you’re not gifted in. Is it hard for you to say no to obligations/responsibilities you’re not really gifted in, in efforts to please people or “compete” with others? How can you set healthy boundaries for yourself so you thrive in what God’s called you to do?
Acts 6:3-4 (NLT) And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
Observation 4: In order to do our God-given task, we must be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Proper empowerment comes from spiritual authority, which recognizes the gift, lays hands on and blesses the empowered.
The qualifications for the seven chosen were to be “well respected, and full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). But then, the apostles laid hands on them, which gave legitimacy to their work. This act of laying on hands was a public affirmation and a spiritual impartation, authorizing them for their specific ministry. It wasn't just a human appointment; it was a recognition and release of God-given gifts through spiritual authority.
Discussion Questions: Are you someone others would say is “well respected”? Why or why not? If not, what are some changes you could make in order to become a person who is respected? Has a spiritual leader affirmed or prayed for you before you began a small group or ministry assignment? What did that mean to you?
Acts 6:7 (NLT) So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted too.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way into Christ, who is the head of the church. From him every part of the body receives its nourishment and grows as each part joins together and does its part. Through the whole body, the love of Christ is expressed, and the church is built up to the glory of God.
Observation 5: When we are properly aligned, the body begins to move in the right way again.
After the situation was resolved and the seven were appointed, "God’s message continued to spread" (Acts 6:7). This shows the fruit of proper alignment. As we see in Ephesians 4:15-16, the benefit that happens when the proper leadership is in place, each part fitting together, is that the entire body grows into Christ. When every part receives nourishment from the Head (Christ) and does its part, the church is built up.
The fruit of a church well empowered is evident:
Discussion Questions: Have you ever had something in your body out of alignment? What did you do to fix the issue? (Physical Therapy, Chiropractor, Massage, etc.) What are some changes we can make in order to get back into alignment within our local church?
Acts 6:1-7 provides valuable lessons on how an empowered church functions and thrives. Every member is vital and every role is necessary! Spiritual empowerment and proper alignment enable us to fulfill God's mission. The early church grew not just because of what happened in the pulpit, but because of what happened through the people.