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"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and the prayers. ... Day by day, as they spent much time
together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad
and generous hearts."
They gathered in their homes and in the temple for prayer,
study, breaking bread, and fellowship. The first Christians met together to hear
and digest the apostles' personal recollections of Jesus and his teachings. The
church grew by leaps and bounds; thousands of people joined.
Today we have at our fingertips reference books, journals,
and personal meditation tapes to help us study in the car, while we exercise, or
before lights out. So what's missing? Being together! If we are to understand
and apply God's word to our daily lives, we must seek more than our own
interpretations and avail ourselves of the wisdom and insight of other
believers. We need each other and the Holy Spirit to bear witness to God's
activity gathered among us, giving us evidence and confidence to go into the
community with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Our sisters and brothers in the early church spent much time
together in study, prayer, and fellowship. Many Christians see Bible study and
fellowship as optional activities. Following the example of the apostles, we
need to study, pray, break bread, and support one another with glad and generous
hearts.
Offering prayer: Generous God, we thank you for the
gift of community. Help us to discover the power of fellowship and the thoughts
of others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Offering focus: Your offerings support the development
of Lutheran Woman Today's Bible studies and other educational materials
that help women connect, learn, and grow in faith together.
Written by Dolores Yancey for Women of the ELCA.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
 Copyright ©
2002 Women of the ELCA. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America provided the copyright information above appears on every copy with
these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.
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