Living The Mission Together
READ
Picture the most compelling community you've ever encountered. Maybe it was a sports team that genuinely cared for each other, a workplace where people actually enjoyed being together, or a neighborhood where people looked out for one another. What made that community special? Likely, it was the way people were genuinely committed to each other's well-being and shared a common purpose that was bigger than any individual.
The early church described in Acts 2 represents the most beautiful example of what happens when discipleship becomes a shared mission rather than an individual pursuit.
Let’s take a moment to read Acts 2:42-47:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and generous hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
REFLECT
These believers understood something profound: following Jesus isn't just about personal transformation—it's about becoming the kind of community that reflects God's heart to the world around them. Notice the four foundational elements Luke describes: they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This wasn't a casual commitment or a weekly gathering. The word "devoted" implies a steady, persistent dedication. They prioritized these activities because they understood that spiritual growth happens best in the context of authentic community.
But here's what's remarkable: their devotion to these spiritual disciplines didn't make them insular or self-focused. Instead, it created a community so compelling that outsiders were drawn to them. People noticed their generosity, their joy, their unity, and their genuine care for one another. The natural result was that "the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
This reveals a beautiful truth about living the mission together: when we focus on becoming the kind of community God intended, evangelism becomes the natural overflow rather than a forced program. People are attracted to authentic communities where they see love in action, where needs are met, where differences are celebrated, and where everyone is growing together.
The early believers shared everything—not because they were required to, but because their hearts had been so transformed by God's generosity that they couldn't help but be generous with each other. They met daily, ate together, and opened their homes to one another. This wasn't about following rules; it was about living out the reality that they were now family.
Consider how this challenges our modern approach to church and discipleship. We often think of church as something we attend rather than something we are. We gather for an hour or two each week, then return to our individual lives. But the early church understood that following Jesus was a 24/7, whole-life commitment that was best lived in community.
Living the mission together means recognizing that every believer has something to contribute to the community's spiritual health. Some might be gifted teachers who help others understand Scripture. Others might be natural encouragers who help people through difficult seasons. Still others might be generous givers who ensure practical needs are met. When everyone contributes their gifts, the whole community thrives.
This kind of community also provides accountability and support for individual discipleship journeys. When people know your struggles and dreams, when they see your daily life, and when they're committed to your growth, it's much harder to coast spiritually. But it's also much easier to persevere through difficult seasons because you're not facing them alone.
The phrase "glad and generous hearts" captures something essential about living the mission together. This wasn't a burden or a duty—it was a joy. When we're genuinely experiencing God's transforming work in our lives, and when we're sharing that experience with others, it creates a gladness that's infectious. Joy becomes one of our most powerful evangelistic tools.
Living the mission together also means we share both resources and responsibilities. Just as the early believers shared their possessions with those in need, we look for ways to support each other practically. We share rides, meals, childcare, and financial resources. We also share the work of ministry—everyone has a role in helping others grow spiritually.
But notice that their community impact extended beyond just taking care of each other. They "enjoyed the favor of all the people." Their reputation in the broader community was positive because people could see the genuine love and care they had for one another and for their neighbors. They became known for their generosity, kindness, and integrity.
This is what happens when discipleship moves from being an individual pursuit to a shared mission. We stop asking, "How can I grow spiritually?" and start asking, "How can we become the kind of community that reflects God's love to our world?" We stop focusing primarily on our own spiritual development and start focusing on how we can together become more like Jesus.
The result is communities that are both attractive to outsiders and transformative for insiders. People want to be part of something beautiful, generous, and meaningful. When our churches and small groups and friendship circles are characterized by authentic love, mutual support, and shared mission, they become irresistible glimpses of God's kingdom.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
How does your current Christian community compare to the description in Acts 2? What elements are present, and what might be missing?
What practical steps could you take to move from viewing church as something you attend to something you are?
How might God be calling you to contribute to living out the mission together in your current community of believers?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Holy Spirit, help us to create the kind of communities that reflect Your heart and draw others to You. Show us how to move beyond individual spirituality to shared mission and mutual support. Give us generous hearts, genuine love for one another, and courage to open our lives to authentic community. May our life together be a beautiful witness to Your transforming power. Amen.