Day 40 of 50

READING GUIDE:

• Read today's devotion below and Matthew 19.
• During days 36-42 (at your own pace) read chapter 19 from Joining Jesus on His Mission.
• After days 36-42, meet with your small group and follow the back-of-the-book discussion guide for SESSION 6.

42 "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42,46-47 ESV)

What elements of starting strong and remaining strong as a community--which joined Jesus on His mission--do you find in Acts 2?

Let's look at the reverse side of things...

As Finke shares in chapter 19, "As I coach missional communities, it is not unusual for a group to start strong, but then begin to fade after a season. The reasons for this are predictable:

• They stop meeting regularly. When we stop meeting regularly, we stop receiving the support, encouragement, insight and accountability we need to stay on the adventure with Jesus.
• The missional stories start to become general and redundant...It is usually because we have stopped being intentional about putting the 5 Practices into play in our daily lives.
• Even with the 5 Practices in play, it seems like not much is happening kingdom-wise. When this happens it is often because prayer has become less important in our group time."

What are ways to counteract the potential slide for your group from continuing to join Jesus on His mission together?

What are you hearing from Jesus today in Matthew 19?