week of 3/10

Unit 31 Session 2

THE DIVIDED BELIEVERS

ACTS 6

When strife threatened to divide the early church, the church acted quickly and selected additional servants to preserve unity.

The book of Acts tells of the growth of Christianity in the early church, partly due to the way in which Christians cared for people from all backgrounds. From the beginning, a defining characteristic of Christian service has been caring for people physically, spiritually, and financially. In Acts 6, the early church faced a problem of caring for widows in the church, specifically the Hellenistic widows. For a variety of possible reasons, the Hellenistic widows were being neglected. Our text in Acts 6 is going to explain how the early church's work would cross different barriers.

Points to consider:

✞   Division and strife threaten the church.

     * Why is it important that all widows be 

        treated equally in the early church?

     * What protections can churches put in 

        place to make sure that those in need 

        are being cared for?

✞   Diversity of roles strengthens the church.

     * What possible needs in the church can you 

        think of that aren't usually being filled?

     * How might you be able to serve your church?

✞   Acting in unity advances the church.

     * What does the selection of these men teach us?

     * How can unity advance the church today?