Refocus your life as a disciple of Jesus

Paul's message at the Areopagus in Athens reveals various important aspects of developing a missionary heart. Reading through the narrative of Paul's preaching in the marketplace and later this center of philosophy, we can see his desire to reach the Athenians for Christ.

In the same way, we need to develop a missionary heart in order to reach people from all over the world that have come to live in our neighborhoods and work with us.

The Macedonian call which led Paul to preach the gospel in a new region teaches us three important aspects about missions: we need to 1) put a face on missions; 2) listen to the specific call God makes to us; and, 3) get actively involved in missions.

The church in Antioch was a leader in missionary work in the first century. We can learn from them three important aspects of being a missional church who: 1) develops leaders; 2) identifies ministries; 3) and sends missionaries.

A healthy church is made up of leaders and members who contribute to the well-being of the community. From the church of Ephesus we learn about the importance of preaching from the whole counsel of God, the need for having healthy leaders, and the goal of becoming a community that keeps guard for one another.

The narratives of churches in the book of Acts reveal characteristics of healthy churches. By examining these stories we can learn about what it means to be a healthy church.

Paul's vision of Jesus in Acts 18:9-10 serves as a great reminder of God's presence and care when we experience difficult times. Through it God tells us: "Don't be afraid" and "I am with you." But to experience this we need to learn to seek God with intensity.

The narrative of the first council of the church in Acts 15 serves as a window into the life of the early church and their decision making process. Through it we learn the importance of spiritual discernment through seeking counsel from others who are wise in God, listening to God's voice through Scripture, and discerning the move of the Spirit in our lives.

The narrative of Cornelius' conversion in Acts 10 represents another decisive moment in the life of the early church. Through the narrative we learn about the importance of prayer, obeying God's voice, and allowing God to surprise us in the decision-making process.

We all face decisive moments in life when our choices will determine how we will live tomorrow. The book of Acts contains many decisive moments in the life of the primitive church. By studying these episodes we will learn how to make better decisions in order to change our destiny.