What do you want to learn?

In Acts 2:42-47, you have just read a wonderful piece describing what things were like in the early church. All in all, you read more than 10 characteristics of the church there. Reading it makes me excited every time. I would like to be at such a church!

What I want to pick out today is the bit about how the church there was engaged in the 'teachings of the apostles'. That may sound a bit stuffy, but do you realize it was probably just listening to the apostles and hearing directly from their mouths what they had experienced with Jesus? How I would have loved to have sat there and listened in.

In this part of The Chosen, one of the shepherds asks his questions to a teacher - a Pharisee - and gets the response, "So-so, a shepherd who wants to learn..." I sense something of contempt or some kind of talking-down-to-someone response. But how beautiful it is that this shepherd wants to learn! He walks around with so many questions and wants to discover, to see, to know, to grow. And so he asks a religious leader.

Today I want to challenge you and ask you what you want to learn. What are you reaching out for?

Of all the different ways there are to learn and grow in your faith, I'd like to point you to the Bible. We are talking about God's Word. It is called living. The Most High speaks to you! It is called powerful, and it has the potential to change your whole life. If you want to learn and grow, take your Bible, search in it, and learn from it. Grow in it. Enjoy it!

God is speaking to you. The Holy Spirit teaches you what is needed. Today. Is your heart open?

Take the following questions to think about:

• Read Acts 2 again. What characteristics of the church do you see in this section?
• Which characteristic appeals to you? Why?
• What would you like to learn? What do you need and how do you go about learning? Who do you need to help you with this?

Prayer:

"Lord, thank You for who You are. Thank You for teaching Your disciples. That there was room for their questions. Thank You that there still is for my questions. Lord, I would like to grow in ... [name a specific area]. Will You help me? Would You teach me? Would You take me by the hand? Lord, make it so that I become more and more like You. Help me also to enjoy all that You want to give me. Amen."

P.S. This is the last day of this reading plan. We hope it has helped you as a follower of Jesus and that you have enjoyed it, but, of course, there is much more to discover.

The materials in this reading plan come from Alongsiders, a European discipleship movement, and Jesus.net.

Do you want to take the next step? Do you have a heart for discipleship and want to know how to really follow Jesus?

Click here for more reading plans and opportunities to grow in discipleship.