Church growth principles in the book of acts bible study

He has attempted many forms of direct opposition and intimidation, and he has tried to corrupt the church from within. In many ways acts is the most exciting book in the new testament because it is full of movement and interest. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the second. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Last week, we talked about how to read the book of acts. The book of acts is a story of mission, church planting and church growth and underlines that growth through the church is a significant part of the wider kingdom growth. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship. Modern churches are trying to build like the early church. Study guide for acts 6 by david guzik blue letter bible. For an example of one church growth writers use of acts, see c. Background the acts of the apostles the book of acts acts provides an eyewitness account of the early beginnings of the church and gives an accurate record of the birth and growth of the christian church life application study bible. This bible study attempts to develop leaders by following the pattern of jesus.

Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life. The book of acts tells the story of the beginning of the church of jesus christ. And he will grow his church as we apply the biblical churchgrowth principles we see in the book of acts. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. In the book of acts, satans attacks on the church have come on many different fronts. The more bible we know, the more we can apply it to our everyday problems and cares. Council of jerusalem growth of the church faith, growth in many in the church church maintaining faith serving the church. Church growth principles free download as text file. Stay tuned for second half of this post where we will address 5 more key principles of church planting from the book of acts.

We can get to the essentials with four sets of four. Church growth in the book of acts a church of christ can and will grow spiritually and numerically when it is faithful to the word of god. Pauls daily preaching caused church growth in ephesus and the surrounding communities. Philips only requirement was that the man believe the message philip proclaimed to him. Church growth, church growth principles, church growth factors. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spirit and the role of jesus lessons in our lives. The 6 top factors in growing churches bible study tools. The key to church growth lies in our ability to motivate and activate the general membership to reach the lost in an avenue in which each feels comfortable. Chapterbychapter bible studies acts kathleendalton. Pdf the depiction of church growth in acts ben wilson. Church growth thinking is often criticised as just about numbers. Verse 42 lists four of the activities to which the church devoted itself. The course provides ministers with the basic principles and tools promoted by church growth theorists. This is about principles not techniques for healthy church growth.

Acts bible study the model church acts 2728, ready in all circumstances brent kercheville january 30. The objective of this section is to present a number of the more basic and generally accepted church growth principles, and to do so as objectively as possible. Start a wildfire of spiritual growth in your church. The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ. The principle of unified prayer, or prayer with one mind and. To prove this point, let us take a quick look at church growth in the book of acts, with a special view to the church in jerusalem. This article presents the concept of church growth alongside evangelism mainly in the book of acts. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. An indepth study of the factors that promote or hinder church growth, followed by a strong emphasis on developing specific growth strategies for the local church. Becoming a servant leader originated in a local church setting and, since its first printing in 1998, has continued to provide direction and aid to churches worldwide. These churches do not water down the gospel so much that you cannot see the lifted cross. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. Principles of church growth second edition paul young publications of paul young cape town, south africa. Biblical strategy and shift to spiritual driven church growth.

A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. Interpretation through the exegesis of acts 1 and 2. In reality, if a congregation is full of members who are christlike, the goal of this growth, then people in the world will take notice. If we were to employ these same factors, we too, can have church growth. What we have learned must be committed to the faithful to teach others also. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. I read a pile of books and attended most of the big churchgrowth. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Acts thus affords the preeminent picture of church growth in the nt, and so it is. In comparison consider that just over 6,900 books are listed under the category of church renewal, even though the church renewal movement is about fifty years old. Acts begins with jesus teaching the apostles about the kingdom of god outside jerusalem, and ends, about thirty years later, with paul teaching gentile christians about the kingdom of god in rome. It is the historical link that joins the life of christ with the growth of the christian church.

After the ascension of jesus peter was the main leader of the church in jerusalem acts 1. Studies in acts chapters 1 3 by francis dixon study verses. The only way this type growth occurs is through bible study. Very few churches have even come close to achieving this. The importance of bible study, sunday school classes etc. Acts has been called a transitional book because it serves as a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Course description study of the book of acts as the account of the development of the early christian church. They didnt study the demographics of antioch and come up with a strategy to market the church to the masses. Church growth is enhanced when each member becomes a part of the body eph. We can examine this critical event by attempting to answer the following questions. When we are reaching all we can, all over the world, we need to be teaching them, not. Church growth principles acts of the apostles christian church. Ludlow whereas the gospel of luke focuses on the life and ministry of jesus christ, the acts of the apostles builds upon what jesus did and taught see acts 1. But in the book of acts there is a verse that speaks of growth, and factors are named there that helped this growth occur.

We saw that were not supposed to model our behavior after everything some biblical character does. With such a large number of books written on the topic of church growth, it is only natural to ask if there is any consensus on what factors are found in growing churches in north america. One recent study discovered that those who have studied what makes churches grow note 115 different factors. But in the book of acts there is a verse that speaks of growth, and. When you look at the book of acts, you find at least eight characteristics of the early church that positioned them for this kind of blessing from god. In fact, three times luke underscores the large numbers 11. Wilson is assistant professor of biblical studies at. The book of acts records the amazing growth in spite of huge obstacles after the disciples were filled. Principles of church growth in the early church ezinearticles. Growing a church is biblical, and an imperative from our lord.

Principles of church growth from the book of acts scottsdale. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies. This brief study of church growth in acts discusses the fact of church growth, the. To my knowledge, however, no church growth book with a complete focus on acts has been written. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 4 acts a short introduction heres what well be reading as we study through the book of acts. But in the book of acts there is a verse that speaks of growth, and factors are named there that helped this growth occur 3. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. In my former book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began to do and to. Whereas the old testament depicts evangelism as people coming to god, the lucan perspective demonstrates that gods servants will go to his people. Are the people getting built into regular daily bible reading and prayer. Persecution arose at jerusalem, and the disciples had to leave for safety. Unfortunately, much of what has been written comes from ministers of large mega churches who have packaged their various growth formulas into books and systems which propose to help other, usually much smaller churches, reproduce in themselves the success that the mega churches have had. The life and teachings of jesus christ are established in the four gospel narratives, and the book of acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning and spread of the church as the result of the work of the risen lord and the holy spirit through the apostles. In what acts did the early church continue steadfastly in.

Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. Scripture is the major source of church growth thinking. Blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding.

So, when you see god bless your church with growth, dont be surprised to experience resistance, sometimes even from within. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. West palm beach church of christ 4236 haverhill road west palm beach, fl 33417. How did the residents of jerusalem react to the church.