Sermon Study Guides

The early church in Acts 2 followed the five pursuits. They pursued God, relationships, mission, generosity and simplicity. They were devoted to a relationship with God, to the teaching of the Word, to sharing life together, to breaking of bread (observing the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Centre Street Church is committed to being a church that does not compromise on the preaching and teaching of God’s word.

Our Children’s ministry teaches through the whole Bible every 3 years. Our grade 5/6 ministry grounds children in their identity in Christ, in a deeper understanding of God’s character, and in foundational beliefs. In middle school and high school we continue to anchor them in their identity in Christ, we help them resist the pressures they face, and we teach them to defend their faith so that as they enter university they are grounded in God’s word and in prayer. CSC is serious about discipling this next generation to become spiritually mature, fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

Starting this fall, we’re partnering with Rocky Mountain Bible College, creating “The Ridge”, a 1-year Bible school experience for 18-21-year-olds to prepare them for their life or career.

For adults we developed a discipleship pathway so that over 2 or 3 years you can grow in knowing what we believe as Christians. You can also learn about your spiritual gifts, how to hear God, how to read and understand the Bible, how to share your faith, how to disciple someone else, and more.

CSC is also committed to prayer. There are prayer groups meeting almost every day of the week, times of prayer after each of our weekend worship services, monthly prayer summits, and two weeks of prayer and fasting annually.

Like the early Christians who gathered in the temple, we have large public gatherings weekly for worship. Since last summer our average in-person weekly weekend attendance of all of our campuses has grown by about 1000 people to now almost 8000 people. As we look to the future, we dream of having a permanent building in Airdrie for midweek ministry and possibly an expansion of our Centre for the City to serve people in Airdrie. We’re praying that God will use us to plant new campuses so that more people can be introduced to Jesus and grow to be His disciples.

The early church also met in smaller gatherings; we are committed to doing the same, forming micro churches located all over Calgary and the surrounding areas as little lighthouses of the gospel. We’ve got a big dream of having missional community groups in every neighborhood in and around Calgary, in every location where we have Centre Streeters living.

The result of the early church in Acts 2 was: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). We pray that God will use our church to add to the Kingdom daily those who are being saved.

Prayer Points on the next page.

IN - PURSUE RELATIONSHIP

When you think of the word "community" what comes to mind?
What keeps you from spending time with God, one another, or in corporate public worship?

UP - PURSUE GOD

Read Acts 2:42-47. Where do you see Centre Street Church’s Five Pursuits mirroring the actions of the early church? What were the fruits of the new Acts community? What made them attractive to the surrounding society?
Read Heb 10:24-25 and Acts 2:46. What are the purposes of meeting together?

OUT - PURSUE MISSION

Read Acts 2:42. Which of the four areas do you, personally and as a group, most need to strengthen? Choose one to focus on and brainstorm ways to grow in that area.
The early church gave everything they had to learn about and commit their lives to the cause of Jesus Christ. Using Acts and Hebrews as a guideline, how can you, personally and as a group, work to build community like the early church?

Personal Reflection

As a summer project, consider how you will grow in your discipleship. Where and how can you expand your prayer experience? Meet as a group in a public space and share together what God has been doing in your life. Invite a neighbor or person of peace to share a meal or an activity. Where can you be generous with your time, talents and resources to serve others?

The Word (NIV)

Acts 2:42–47

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ 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, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Hebrews 10:24–25

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Prayer points:
- Pray that our children and youth are devoted to God’s Word.
- Pray that we individually are devoted to God’s Word.
- Pray that we are devoted to prayer, and that we are a praying church.
- Pray for who you could invite to come to church with you.
- Pray God provides a permanent campus location in Airdrie.
- Pray God leads us to where He wants us to plant new campuses.
- Pray for a person you want Jesus to save.
- Ask God to show you how you or your group could help lead them to Jesus.

This Week's Writers: Elsa Henderson, David McMillin, Bruce McKay, Godwin Mercado, Jorel Quemuel, Karen and Gene Gibbs