Reading Plan:

Acts 6

One Body, Many Callings

Author: Mellanie Alexander

We find the first disagreement in the new church in Acts 6. One minute the church is meeting in one accord and sharing everything, and the next they are arguing over food distribution. A meeting was called, and the twelve disciples summoned all the new followers of Jesus. They said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables." (vs. 2). The twelve disciples told them to pick seven good men to run the widow food distribution program, while the twelve would devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (vs. 4).

These first few verses of Acts 6 can be easy to overlook, but there's such a beautiful concept here that I don't want us to miss - delegation. That's what is happening here. It's not that the disciples thought they were too good to serve tables. You only have to read the first five books of Acts to see multiple examples of them serving people; here they just realized that they were being called to something different. They were called to preach and spread the good news of Jesus, and that's what they did. They made such an amazing choice here by saying "no" to something good that was needed so that they could say "yes" to a different calling to do it well.

Have you ever been burned out by church? Maybe you were involved in too many ministries; you were on too many committees; you said "yes" to too many things. It's easy to do. It's easy to say "yes" to every opportunity that comes our way when it comes to serving in the church. Maybe we think it's what we are supposed to do. Maybe we just love to be involved. Maybe we just love control. Whatever it is, I think it's time to reevaluate whether or not we are serving in our calling. We can't do it all. We can't be all things to all people. Sometimes we need to say "no" to good things because it's just not where God has called us to serve in the present season and because God already has someone else in mind for that position.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about how we are many members but one body. We are all called to serve and our callings can look so different. Diversity in our callings is what makes the church body thrive. It's hard to serve well in your calling if you are also trying to do the job of ten other people. The disciples recognized that serving the widows was important; however, there were other capable people who could do it. They didn't have to divide their time between the widows and preaching. They could delegate and put that mission into someone else's hands. Delegation takes the pressure off of you to do all the things and allows someone else to thrive in a place where God is calling them. I pray we don't overlook this part of Acts, and that we take to heart these teachings.

Reflection:

• Are you currently overwhelmed with all your obligations? What can you eliminate to help you serve where you are called well?

Family Content: Blindsided

Author: Mary Boleware

• The book of Acts gives us a glimpse into the history of the church and how it was started. By “church” we mean the group of Christians who believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Because the twelve disciples never stopped telling others about Jesus, they continued to grow the church. In fact, there were so many more followers that they needed more helpers. They chose seven men who were wise and filled with the Holy Spirit. Of these seven, there is one we will look at a little closer—Stephen. Stephen was a man “full of God’s grace and power," and he could do great miracles in the name of Jesus. He was also very wise. As Stephen spoke and performed miracles, he convinced more people to become Christians. The Jewish leaders felt threatened and became so angry that they made up lies about Stephen. Stephen was surprised by these lies, but he was taken to be judged. As his accusers lied to the judges about Stephen, Stephen’s face shone bright like the face of an angel.
• Has anyone ever told a lie or “story” about you that was not true? When I was younger, my older sister did this to me with my parents a lot! When we are doing what we think is the right thing, having someone lie about your actions and intentions really hurts. When this happens to us, what do we do about it? When others say hurtful things to you or about you, let’s focus on what God says about us. In Psalm 97:10 “…He protects the lives of his faithful ones; He rescues them from the power of the wicked.” Zephaniah 3 says in verse 16, “Do not fear” and in verse 19, “I will deal with all who oppress (or go against) you.” In verse 17 of Zephaniah 3, we are told that God is with us and He “rejoices over us” and “delights” in us. What we don’t want to do is tell lies or say hurtful things back to those who are against us or say hurtful things about them to others. In Psalm 15:2-3, we are told to speak the truth from our heart and have no slander on our tongue.
• I encourage you as a family to search the Bible for more true things that God says about us as His followers. Write these verses on notecards and keep them close by to remind yourself of who God says you are. Hang them in your locker or keep them in your backpack to share with friends at school. Adults put them in your purse, computer bags, cars, etc. to share with those who you encounter during your day.
• Prayer: Dear God, You are our Heavenly Father, and there is no one as great as You. Thank You for Your words in the Bible that tell us who we are in Your eyes. Thank You for choosing us to be Your children. When we are hurt by others’ words to us or about us, help us to respond in love and not return those hurtful words. Continue to fill us with Your Holy Spirit—so much that our actions and words will lead others to You as Stephen's did. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray these things. Amen.