Acts 1:12-14 – Should Christians join small groups?

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)

I love my small group at church. We’re meeting on zoom because of COVID, but people in small church groups study Scripture and care for each other. I didn’t have to worry when I fractured a vertebra and my husband wasn’t with me. I had a ride to the hospital and doctor when I needed one.

After the apostles (Luke names all eleven) had been caught staring into the sky, they became obedient to Jesus and returned to Jerusalem (about one kilometer from the Mount of Olives, the distance the Jews were allowed to walk on the Sabbath) and waited for the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit to begin their mission. They turned the upper room where Jesus and his apostles had the last supper to a meeting and prayer room for the apostles, the daughters of Jerusalem, and the mothers and brothers of Jesus. They met as a small group with excited anticipation of receiving the Holy Spirit. They prayed, had fellowship, met each other’s needs, and would soon do mission work as small groups do.

Being in a small group is a gift from God. Jesus started small groups first by asking twelve men to follow him and then commanding his disciples to return to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Prayer for their mission, love for Jesus, and discussing scripture was common grounds for fellowship. It’s also a way we receive the love and peace Jesus died for.

Father God, Holy is Your name. Thank You for peace, prayer partners and the small groups who support me. Give me the power and gifts of Your Holy Spirit so I can serve my family, friends, members of my small group, and others with love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Acts 1:12-14 – Should Christians join small groups?

22 thoughts on “Acts 1:12-14 – Should Christians join small groups?

  1. I have not been involved with a small group for many years. There is an opportunity for this, where I live. We have a Lutheran pastor and his wife who live in Sunset Bay. He and his wife are very nice people. Trey and I have been to their house to deliver food for a local food bank. He and his wife have Bible study every Tuesday morning at our clubhouse. I have been once and I am not quite sure how I felt about it. It put me off a bit because of their views on God. I am praying about this because it is not only a chance to learn more about scripture, but also know more of my neighbors.

    1. Not one person in either of my small groups believe like I do. I know you have similar beliefs to mine. I think a lot of people who believe that Jesus will give His Jewish people and all unbelievers a second chance to believe in Christ at His second coming and don’t view the wrath of God the same as others simply don’t go to church. The Lutheran church, I think the Missouri Synod, believes that communion is the actual blood and body of Christ. What is offensive is that they don’t want other believers to take communion in their church if there beliefs aren’t the same. The church believes strongly in this, and there is nothing you can say to change their minds. That being said, I’m sure they don’t discuss it every week at their Bible Study, and I’m sure the people are nice and their hearts are in the right place since they have a food bank. Since you haven’t found a church you like in that area, the small group would be a place of support to build close friends you can count on. There is not one person in either of the small groups I was attending before COVID and moving to Marianna that believed the same way I do, but they were very supportive when I fractured my vertebrae and needed help, and I have been able to help some of them too in their times of need. They are all good people.

  2. I am thinking about it. However, I have a very difficult time with the wrath of God. I also have a hard time with the views on communion. I strongly feel that if you are Christian you should be able to take communion in any Christian church. I always felt like the Catholics feel superior to other Christian religions. That is not being humble! I am not sure what I will do and I do agree it is a place to develop Christian friendships.

    1. We talked a lot about the wrath of God when we studied Romans. I feel it is nothing more than God letting us learn from our mistakes. I know many Christians feel the wrath of God is sending non-believers to hell. To tell you the truth most people in my small groups believe that way. I recently read an article that said the wrath of God was mistranslated from a Greek word in the Old Testament. I wish I would’ve written down the source. I hate that the Catholic religion teaches you have to go to confession through the priest because the Bible says Jesus is our High Priest, and we can go directly to God through Him. My daughter said when she converted to Catholicism that she was taught the Virgin Mary was a virgin until she died. How did Jesus have four brothers and at least two sisters? Go figure.

  3. Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I
    came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and
    will be tweeting this to my followers! Fantastic blog and brilliant
    design and style. asmr 0mniartist

    1. Thank you for sharing, your encouragement, and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

  4. Hello! I’ve been reading your site for a long time now and finally got
    the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from
    Lubbock Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!
    asmr 0mniartist

    1. A shout back from Ocala, Florida. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

  5. I got this web page from my pal who shared with me on the topic of this website and now this
    time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative articles at this place.
    asmr 0mniartist

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

  6. Someone necessarily assist to make critically posts
    I would state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now?

    I surprised with the research you made to make this particular submit extraordinary.
    Wonderful activity! asmr 0mniartist

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

  7. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a
    doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I’m very happy I found this during my search for something concerning this.
    asmr 0mniartist

    1. Thank you for your encouragement and coming to my website. I’m glad you enjoyed my post, “Should Christians join small groups?” Joining a small group is a wonderful way to serve others with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to receive the love and peace Jesus died for. I prayed for you and your family today, and I hope you now how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you. Blessings, Jody

Leave a Reply to Jody Armstrong Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top

Subscribe to my Devotionals

If you would like regular updates of our daily devotional Bible study sent to your email, please subscribe here.
Loading