Third Space Studies | UMC YoungPeople
Connecting young people and their adult leaders to God, the church, and the world
28
September 2016

Third Space Studies


Clarkston UMC hosts a Sunday morning gathering for youth called "Breakfast Club." Here students watch the live stream of the pastor's sermon and then respond to questions built off of the scriptural themes for the day. Below are the most recent sermon video archive plus the Breakfast Club conversation guide for you to try with your own youth.

Breakfast Club Questions

Enough for All - Acts 2: 43-47

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common;45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds[j] to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home[k] and ate their food with glad and generous[l] hearts,47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Scripture Context:

The scripture for today is the final section of a very important chapter in Acts. In chapter 2, the disciples are gathered together in Jerusalem still living in fear and trying to understand with the resurrection of Jesus Christ would mean for them. On this particular day, the power of God’s Holy Spirit is poured upon all who are in the room. This power is described as life-changing. It seems as if literally everyone’s hair has caught on fire. Everyone is receives the ability to praise God in a language that they previously did not know. The languages being spoken represents all of the unknown languages spoken around the world. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit is known as Pentecost. We understand it to be the day when the followers of Jesus Christ were given the power of God to do God’s work in the world. All who watch this event were overwhelmed. The apostle Peter delivers the sermon explaining what has happened. He tells those gathered around about the story of Jesus Christ. The story of Jesus Christ and his resurrection along with the gift of the Holy Spirit moves the congregation. Three thousand people join the faith community on just that day. Here the church is born and the mission of the church begins.

Following such a high, the followers of Jesus through themselves completely into the work of being the church. They continue to feed themselves spiritually continuously about going to the temple every day to worship. The reference in the scripture today of breaking bread in their homes directly points to the time when Jesus broke bread with the disciples in the upper room. In other words, in addition to worshiping in the temple the disciples were worshiping all the time by sharing in communion, in prayer, and in holy relationships.

With their souls filled to the brim, They were moved to be a community that lived with total generosity. They wanted to share everything they have with each other. And they were moved by compassion to reach out to anyone who hadn’t need to do all they could to meet that need.

This is a description of a radical community making a difference in the world. Their conduct was so unique it stood out in the world. Others were drawn to that community daily to both receive help for their needs as well as to fill an empty void in their lives. This is the model of the first church.

Questions

What is your first reaction to hearing this scripture?

What does Pastor Rick tell us about the radical nature of this first church? How did it change even during the first few years?

What is attractive to you about this first church and what about it gives you wonder if you would want to be a part of it?

What is the importance of spiritually feeding your mind and heart to determine what kind of life you will live or church we will be?

What are some of the unmet needs in our community that you wish the church or someone could help?

What do you give praise to God for in your life today? Who can we pray for and perhaps help in meeting their need?