With Glad & Generous Hearts: A SOAP Journal Based on Acts 2

S = Acts 2:42-47 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

O = When we are devoted to a teaching we do more than agree with it in our head. We seek to apply it to our lives. Their devotion to the apostles’ teaching led to a community of shared purpose. The worshipped together, prayed together, learned together, and ate together. Their sharing wasn’t some kind of hippy commune but what we would call a missional community. Their life was about living out the love of Christ together as witnesses in the world. What did this do to their attitude? They did what they did “with glad and generous hearts” not under compulsion or merely out of duty. Without true relational community they could not have accurately represented their Trinitarian God.

A = In our culture, we over-value individualism and self-effort. In other cultures there is more emphasis on the group and collective mission of the community. Such was the culture of the New Testament church. It seems that we need to think, feel, and function more as a community, a family, a whole body, rather than as a voluntary association of individuals. Perhaps we could even begin to look for collective applications of our Bible teachings, “What should we do as a result”, rather than just, “What will I do?” So collectively are we devoted to following Christ, and sharing life with glad and generous hearts? If so then our witness in the world will draw many to Christ.

P = O Lord, may I hear you speak through the teaching of the Bible and through the true community of your people. May I have the courage to be authentic and honest with you, and the wisdom to stay connected with a growing community of believers who are devoted to following you together. May you fill my heart with gladness and may your generous love overflow from my heart to others as we share life, learning, and the table in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.