Session 2

What is holding you back?

From Acts: A 28-Day Devotional

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The Holy Spirit, the counselor Jesus promised, arrives. Peter preaches a message about Jesus, and the Christian church begins.

No matter how introverted you might be, deep inside of all of us is a need for relationship. That longing is first for a relationship with God and second for a relationship with others. God never intended for us to go about our lives alone. We all need fellow Christians to share our lives with.

In Acts 2, Peter and the other believers shared meals and prayed together. Their lives were marked by unity, generosity, and joy. They celebrated God's miracles and cared for each other in times of need. This is the kind of community God wants for us, too. 

Through the local church, God has given us a family. As we connect with other believers, we find people who will love and encourage us as we become more like Jesus. But the same way that we had to take a step into a relationship with Jesus, we have to take a step in to experience the power of relationships with other believers. Like the early church, we experience the power of community when we begin sharing our hardships as well as our answered prayers.

God works through friendships to change us and show us His faithfulness. God gives us the strength to overcome whatever circumstances we face, and community supports us as we overcome. 

Reflect: 

• What does this passage teach us about God? How does it apply to you?
• We all need Christians friends who will celebrate with us in good times and support us during hard times. As you think about your friendships, are there other Christians you can share your life with?
• Are you part of a NewSpring Group? If so, what’s one step you can take this week to deepen those friendships? If not, what’s stopping you? Find a NewSpring Group near you at newspring.cc/groups