advent conspiracy

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Acts 6.1-6

Read and Lectio Acts 6.1-6

The Church is growing.
Luke now moves to the Hellenistic Jewish community in Jerusalem.
We see the Palestinian Jewish Apostles include the Greek speaking Jewish Christians in their ministry, foremost of whom is Stephen.

There was a gap growing in the community, with the Greek speaking widows being overlooked, so the apostles appointed a leadership structure to serve them.
This gap was probably a cultural gap.

• What cultural gaps have you seen develop in your ministry context?

(gaps on your team and within those you minister to)

• What was at the heart of the apostles response to this gap? Can you apply this to your context? 
  

(exp. An open, non-controlling, non-possessive, God-centered understanding of their power enabled them to share the responsibility)

Acts 5. 17-21

Read 12-21, Lectio 17-21

• What does the many signs and wonders cost the apostles in the end?
  

• What are the power dynamics in the context of your ministry? (who would feel threatened if the God manifested his authority and power?)
  

• The apostles were told to speak to the Jewish community at the temple; who has He told you to speak to?
  

Sosh Movie

Acts 5.12-16

Read & Lectio 5.12-16

Luke is describing what happened after the community prayed in 4.29-30 for signs and wonders to accompany their bold testimony.

in 13: it's not clear who was cautious of joining who; could be the greater christian community joining the apostles, the non-christians the christians, or maybe the religious establishment the christians. I think this is referencing the larger community of christians and non-christians cautious of the apostles.

• Is there a common place that you intersect with people in your ministry? Where people see the power of the Holy Spirit?
  

Acts 4.36-5:11

Read & Lectio 4.36-5.1-11
text

• What was A & S's sin?
  

• What do you think Satan was trying to accomplish through their sin?
  

Luke shows how the Holy Spirit powerfully checks Satan's attempts to poison this community with dishonesty and greed.

• How might Satan divide your community?
  

• What power do we have to stop Satan's attempts?
  

Lectio Divina

this is a good description of Lectio Divina for reference

The Four Moments

Lectio Divina has been likened to "Feasting on the Word." The four parts are first taking a bite (Lectio), then chewing on it (Meditatio). Next is the opportunity to savor the essence of it (Oratio). Finally, the Word is digested and made a part of the body (Contemplatio).

Lectio
This first moment consists in reading the scriptural passage slowly, attentively several times.

Meditatio
The Christian, gravitating around the passage or one of its words, takes it and ruminates on it, thinking in God’s presence about the text. He or she benefits from the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination, i.e. the work of the Holy Spirit that imparts spiritual understanding of the sacred text. It is not a special revelation from God, but the inward working of the Holy Spirit, which enables the Christian to grasp the revelation contained in the Scripture.

Oratio
This is a response to the passage by opening the heart to God. It is not an intellectual exercise, but an intuitive conversation or dialogue with God.

Contemplatio
This moment is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. In other words, it is a beautiful, wordless contemplation of God, a joyful rest in his presence.