Discipleship Part 1
It is vital to have a purpose in life.
A Christ-centered purpose aligns us with our Creator, builds genuine community, and gives us confidence to share our hope with gentleness and respect. True discipleship means constantly dedicating ourselves to Scripture, prayer, and real community Faith was never meant for isolation; genuine community refines us as we forgive and grow together
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” - Acts 2:42
Storing God’s word in our hearts prepares us to share our hope whenever someone asks.
“but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” - 1 Peter 3:15
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Message Notes
“Discipleship” Part 1
Mount of Olives | August 9, 2026 | Acts 2:41-42
Pastor John Steward
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, we are reminded today that our hope is in Your sovereignty. In this world we are often tempted by vice, fear, or despair. Help us and remind us, as we worship You this morning and as we proceed into the world this week, of our need to wholly depend on Christ; gaining strength from Your firm foundation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture Reading
Acts 2:37-42
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Message Notes
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Psalm 119:11
I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
I Peter 3:15b
…Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.
Study Questions – Read Acts 2:14-47
ICEBREAKER – Getting started:
- What is the largest crowd you’ve ever spoken to? How did you feel just before you spoke? How well did you do?
OBSERVATION – What does the text say?
- Make an outline of Peter’s sermon.
- Based on your outline, what is the purpose of Peter’s sermon?
INTERPRETATION – What does the text mean?
- Is this a successful sermon? Why or why not?
- How does this sermon help to carry out Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8?
APPLICATION – How can you apply the text?
- When was the last time you seized an opportunity to witness for Jesus? What happened?
- What impresses you most about Peter in this section – his courage, his knowledge, etc.?
- How is your church fellowship similar to and different from the fellowship described in these verses? How does this make you feel?
- Do you think the fellowship described in this section can be duplicated today? Why or why not?
- Would you want a fellowship like that?
- If you did, what would you need to do to make it happen?