Conclusion: The Recall
Session Overview
Confessional Statement
Disciples of Christ: earnestly receive God’s salvation by repenting from sin and pledging faith in Christ, publicly declare their faith commitment and community participation through baptism, and get established in faith essentials as part of a Christian community.
Key Elements
- Key Passage: Acts 2:1-47
- Scripture Memory: “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’.” Luke 9:23
- Catechism Question: Q: What is the process of growing in our Christian faith? A: Discipleship.
Introduction
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
True Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude.
Jesus is calling sinful humans to freely receive the forgiveness of their sins and reconciliation with God by entrusting their lives to him in complete dependence, sincere trust, and full allegiance. Jesus has achieved what all humans most deeply long for (salvation and redemption from sin), but none can accomplish in their own strength. As humans have become estranged from God in sin and rebellion, Jesus is the only way back to God. His birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming make salvation possible. Jesus is calling sinful people to receive the offer of salvation and become disciples of Christ.
Christian disciples respond to Jesus’ call by surrendering their whole life to his authority and care. Becoming a Christian involves much more than ascribing to a certain set of beliefs, attempting to live up to a lofty moral code, practicing particular spiritual rituals, attending scheduled religious services, or performing sanctioned rites of worship. While beliefs, conduct, habits, community participation, and corporate devotion are all crucial essentials of the Christian faith, they amount to nothing if one does not know Jesus in genuine faith. Christianity is based upon God’s gracious initiative in saving sinful humanity, not upon humanity’s diligent performance of religious actions. Only once we have received God’s merciful offer of life can we (together with other believers) enjoy a new way of living in Christ. The seed of sincere faith in Christ germinates and grows to produce firmly rooted, deeply established, and fruit-bearing Christians.
This study explored the basics of the Christian faith. The opening narrative in Acts 2:1–36 recounted a miraculous sign and public proclamation of the gospel message. This portion of the story outlined the key events around Jesus’ life that brought about salvation for sinful humanity. The next scene in Acts 2:37–41 described a massive response of the crowd to become followers of Christ. This section was greatly instructive as to what it means to receive salvation through faith and repentance and then to publicize this faith through baptism. In the final scene, Acts 2:42–47 depicts the vibrant, worshiping life of the early church. This summary not only served as a capstone for the biblical narrative but also offered a window to understand what it means to be fully devoted to Christ and grow in this devotion as a church community.
Although rich and instructive, this short biblical narrative does not say everything about what it means to be a Christian. While it sets the overall framework of the faith, its structural work will need more building and development. As a disciple of Christ, there will be much more to learn throughout the whole of your life. God will continue to grow you, change you, and transform you. Rather than trekking aimlessly forward, however, biblical wisdom suggests it is prudent to participate in an establishing process that is ordered and intentionally designed. The subsequent studies in the Narrative Journey Essentials serve this end as they walk you through these core teachings of the Christian faith in more detail. As you trek forward on the “path of life,” take confidence that as a Christian—a disciple who follows the living and resurrected Christ—you are not alone and Jesus is guiding you each step of the way!
Book Overview: Surveying the Landscape
Mature disciples are established in the essentials of the Christian faith. In this section, summarize the main idea of discipleship, retell the narrative of Acts 2:1-47, and identify any significant observations or insights from the study.
Key Idea
Reflect on the study of Acts 2:1–47. Summarize the main idea of the study in a short sentence.
Story Retell
Retell the basic narrative of Acts 2:1–47. Try to highlight the main movement of the narrative in a way that captures the key moments of the church being established.
Important Ideas
Identify significant quotes, key verses, biblical principles, or community comments that you encountered throughout the course of this study. Record these in the space below and share a few in your group discussion.
Faith Foundation: Exploring the Terrain
The journey of discipleship is a community journey. In this section, discuss what you learned about the Christian faith as a result of this study and explore the specific story of your church with a church leader.
Discussion Questions
God grows new believers in the faith through loving and meaningful interaction with other believers. Discuss the following questions with your community and church leader to observe how God has grown you over the past season.
1. What new beliefs or convictions have you developed?
2. What changes does God want to make in your life?
3. What gifts, resources, and talents has the Lord given you? How do you think God might want to use these to serve his people?
4. Who are the people God wants you to tell the gospel? How does God want to share the gospel with these people?
Church Story
Discuss with your mentor or spiritual leader the specific details of your church. Ask your church leader to explain the distinctive beliefs, discipleship pathways, community connections, and mission philosophy of the faith community. Consider interviewing another disciple in the church family to learn more about the church. Record any insights or questions from these conversations below.
Learning Plan: Charting the course
The life of discipleship is a lifelong venture. Consider the list of resources and recommended reading, identify next steps of growth, and use planning calendar to chart out a path for ongoing learning and maturity.
Recommended Resources
God’s word is our sufficient guide for matters of faith and godly living. Glance at the following Bible study resources which address the essential matters of the Christian faith. Discuss with you church leader and community what topics might be most helpful for you to study as you take your next steps of faith.
| Narrative Journey ESSENTIALS | |
|---|---|
| Core Discipleship for Local Churches | The second set of books in the Narrative Journey series establishes believers and churches in the essentials of the Christian faith. Exploring carefully selected biblical narratives (arranged under the topics of Christiain belief, living, habits, community, and devotion), the community of faith grows deep roots in core Christian teaching. |
| The Story Behind it All | Addresses the doctrinal fountainheads of Christian belief— built upon the Apostles’ Creed. |
| The Best Possible Life | Illuminates the moral substructure of Christian living— structured around the Ten Commandments. |
| The Bond Between Us | Commends vital characteristics of Christian community— envisioned as the household of God. |
| The Glory Due His Name | Rediscovers the distinctive center of Christian devotion— rooted in baptism and the Lord’s Supper |
| Narrative Journey PATHWAYS | |
|---|---|
| basic training for emerging leaders | The third set of books in the Narrative Journey series equips emerging leaders with a rudimentary understanding of Christian ministry. Teaching mature believers how to participate in God’s work, these books explore the fundamental nature of Christian mission, the unfolding design of the biblical (meta) narrative, the vital landscape of godly leadership, and the elementary principles of formational teaching. |
| The Ends of the Earth | Enjoins God’s people to worldwide Christian mission— inspired by the Book of Acts. |
| The Sacred Script | Offers a biblical foundation to a Christian worldview— rendered through the scriptural metanarrative. |
| The Making of a Shepherd | Presents an inspiring profile on Christian leadership— shown through biblical exemplars. |
| The Aim of Our Charge | Develops a sound pedagogy of Christian instruction— traversing through key biblical narratives |
Next steps
Identify next steps to help you grow in your faith. Try to identify at least one next step in each category.
What are your next steps to…
1. Deepen your relationship with God
2. Grow in your faith
3. Connect to the church community
4. Minister to other believers and to unbelievers
Three-Month Plan
Use the space below to set goals for the next three months. Discuss these goals with your church leader and church community.
Core Project: Synthesizing the faith
The narrative of how you came to follow Jesus is a powerful story that can help you grow in your faith, encourage the church community, and share the gospel with unbelievers. Use this section to record your testimony, gospel summary, and church commitment.
Personal Narrative
Record your faith journey below, combining your work in the previous sessions to write a final draft of your story of coming to believe in Jesus. Use the following three categories as a guide/outline. Use additional space or pages as needed for this project.
Gospel Summary: This is a summary of the gospel.
Personal Testimony: This is your story of how God has changed your life and your understanding of baptism.
Church Commitment: This is your intention to commit to God’s people.
Faith Practice: Following the Way
Following Jesus is a lifelong venture of continuous progress. In this final section, explore the core commitments of the Christian faith, share your testimony with others, and reflect on your baptism/membership experience.
Core Commitments
The following statements summarize core commitments disciples make when they follow Jesus. Review these statements and reflect on what these commitments mean for you as a disciple of Jesus. Then sign and date the bottom of the page as a way to affirm your commitment.
God: Have you placed your faith in Christ as your only Savior and King, believing that Jesus “came that [you] may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)? If so write: “I have.”
God’s Ways: Will you embrace your role in God’s mission for His world “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5)? If so write: “I will.”
God’s People: Will you commit to become an active member of Christ’s body that you “may know how [you] one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15)? If so write: “I will.”
God’s World: Will you embrace your role in God’s mission for His world “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5)? If so write: “I will.”
Name:
Date:
Practice Sharing
After completing the final draft of your personal narrative, find one or two other people with whom you can practice. Start with a family member or church leader, but also consider sharing your story with an unbeliever.
Baptism and Membership Reflection
Reflect on this baptism and membership process. Record your experience below.