Heart and History of the Early Church

1. Heart and History of the Early Church Session 10-11: DNA of the Early Church www.drewcuster.wordpress.com

2. DNA of the early church

3. Disciple Making • Discipleship is most important task of the church • Developing followers of Jesus in character, conduct, values, and mission – becoming like Jesus • Character of Discipleship • Relational teaching (small group) • Took place in the real world (not a class room) • Focus was on character development • Standards and accountability were high

4. How do we make discipleship a part of what we do? • What does a true disciple do that believes that “Jesus is Lord?” • They do what they think Jesus would do in every area of life • Practices of the disciple: • Engagement with Scripture • Practice prayer • Make community worship a priority • Engage in a life of service for others • Use time and money in “kingdom” ways • Lives their lives with other disciples • Looks to make disciples for Jesus

5. Outward Focus • The churches mission is grounded in God’s mission – Operation Incarnation • Presence- be present in the community as a representative of Jesus • Proximity- form friendships with those inside and outside the church • Powerlessness- humble servants to bless others • Proclamation- we carry a life-giving message

6. Outward Focus • It goes out into the world and multiplies • This is in contrast with the church’s attractional model • We are to take Christ to people rather than expect people to come to church • The early church was community of messy lives • Are we ok with messy lives?

7. Home Worship • There is no “sacred” and “secular” • No such thing as a “spiritual” life because all of life is “spiritual.” • There is no such thing as “sacred space” • “Going to church” is not sacred space • We need a theology of Fun • We need to think through our entertainment in light of the gospel • Home as primary discipleship environment • Prominence of the table in worship • Sharing and fellowship are “table” values

8. Home Worship • Importance of hospitality •  “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Pet 4:8-9) •  “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Rom 12:13) • “Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Heb 13:1-2) • Homes are where people are comfortable to share their inner-life and the fact that “Jesus is Lord”

9. Home Worship • What is worship? • Gathering of believers for prayer, hymns, thanksgiving, Lord’s Supper, Scripture reading, and fellowship • “Offering our world back to God” (Alan Hirsch) • Informal but filled with tradition, reverence, and order

10. Life Together • The early church lived life together • Daily life together was church • They shared resources and jobs • The early church experienced not only community but a comradeship • They experienced following Jesus as “risky”

11. Life Together • Our lifeblood as Christians is our mission • The mission of God is risky and dangerous • We need a to be a community that experiences life together doing the mission of God • What might life look like doing this kind of life together?

12. Modern Example- China • Characteristics in China • Illegal religion • Non-institutional • No buildings • No “formal” training of leaders only discipleship • “Risky” worship and community • Bibles are limited • Estimated 80 million professing Christians in China