Break Bread with Others Like Jesus
Part 3 of “Love Like Jesus”
14 When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood. – Luke 22:14-20 (NASB)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common; 45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
Presence is powerful. God did not create us to do life alone. Followers of Jesus grow and deepen their faith journey best when they are involved with a committed Community of Faith as they are discipled in the Word of God.
The early followers of Jesus devoted themselves to four basic priorities: teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.
- Teaching
- Fellow
- Worship
- Prayer
Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself. – Revelation 19:7 (NASB)
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the Head of the Church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. – Ephesians 5:23 (NASB)
W (Worship)
I (Instruction)
F (Fellowship)
E (Expression)
Worship
So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:10-11 (NASB)
Instruction
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2 (NASB)
Fellowship
Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:25 (NASB)
Expression
24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)
“What people are craving isn’t perfection. People aren’t longing to be impressed: they’re longing to feel like they’re home. If you create a space full of love and character and creativity and soul, they’ll take off their shoes and curl up with gratitude and rest, no matter how small, no matter how undone, no matter how odd.” Shauna Niequist, author of “Bread and Wine”
Questions for Reflection:
Did your family eat together when you were a child?
Which one is easier for you: Community at Church or outside of the Church? Why?
Think of and share a story of a time when a community of friends held you up during a hard time.
What are you doing right now that is causing relationships to deepen? What are you doing that is keeping them from deepening?
Which do you most lack: consistent community with other believers at Church or community with others outside of the Church? What will you do about it?
Who do you know who is currently lacking community? How can you help them connect with community?
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common; 45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
Presence is powerful. God did not create us to do life alone. Followers of Jesus grow and deepen their faith journey best when they are involved with a committed Community of Faith as they are discipled in the Word of God.
The early followers of Jesus devoted themselves to four basic priorities: teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.
- Teaching
- Fellow
- Worship
- Prayer
- The Church is called the “Bride” of Christ.
Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself. – Revelation 19:7 (NASB)
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the Head of the Church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. – Ephesians 5:23 (NASB)
W (Worship)
I (Instruction)
F (Fellowship)
E (Expression)
Worship
So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:10-11 (NASB)
Instruction
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2 (NASB)
Fellowship
Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:25 (NASB)
Expression
- Share the love of Jesus with other followers of Jesus at Church.
24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)
- Often we want the benefits of the food without the connection of the table.
“What people are craving isn’t perfection. People aren’t longing to be impressed: they’re longing to feel like they’re home. If you create a space full of love and character and creativity and soul, they’ll take off their shoes and curl up with gratitude and rest, no matter how small, no matter how undone, no matter how odd.” Shauna Niequist, author of “Bread and Wine”
- Share the love of Jesus with a committed community of people.
Questions for Reflection:
Did your family eat together when you were a child?
Which one is easier for you: Community at Church or outside of the Church? Why?
Think of and share a story of a time when a community of friends held you up during a hard time.
What are you doing right now that is causing relationships to deepen? What are you doing that is keeping them from deepening?
Which do you most lack: consistent community with other believers at Church or community with others outside of the Church? What will you do about it?
Who do you know who is currently lacking community? How can you help them connect with community?