Building Resilience and Making Disciples
Last week, we explored how the early church built authentic community. Today, we’re examining one of the most critical periods in the early church – their first encounter with opposition and their remarkable response to it.
Producing Healthy Disciples (Acts 3:1-10)
Notice something remarkable: Peter and John weren’t doing a planned outreach when they encountered the lame man. They were simply going to pray. Healthy disciples produce fruit in their daily walks.
“Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, I give you…” This wasn’t just about healing – it was about disciples giving what they had received from Christ.
Modern Application:
- Are your disciples dependent on programs or powered by the Spirit?
- Do your people minister only in official capacities or in daily life?
- What are your disciples actually reproducing?
Enduring Through Stress (Acts 4:1-12)
The early church faced immediate opposition. But notice their response:
- They stood firm in their conviction
- They spoke with boldness
- They remained focused on Jesus
- They saw opposition as an opportunity
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The anvil has worn out many hammers.” The early church was the anvil that wore out opposition through resilience.
Reflecting Christ’s Image (Acts 4:13)
“They took note that these men had been with Jesus.” This might be the most powerful statement about church health in the entire New Testament.
Ask Yourself:
- Would your community say this about your church?
- Are you producing programs or presence?
- Do people see Jesus or just activity?
The Power of United Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)
When faced with threats, the early church didn’t:
- Form a committee
- Create a strategy
- Launch a campaign
They prayed. And not just casual prayer – they prayed until “the place where they were meeting was shaken.”
The Marks of Health in Crisis
Notice the signs of health in this passage:
1. Supernatural Impact (Acts 3:1-10)
- Healing wasn’t programmed
- Power flowed naturally
- Results were undeniable
2. Bold Witness (Acts 4:8-12)
- No compromise
- Clear message
- Christ-centered response
3. Unity in Crisis (Acts 4:23-24)
- Immediate fellowship
- United prayer
- Shared burden
4. Spirit-Filled Response (Acts 4:31)
- Fresh filling
- Increased boldness
- Continued witness
Modern Application
Let’s be honest: Most churches today face far less opposition than the early church, yet show far less power. Why?
Consider these contrasts:
- Early Church: Prayed for boldness Modern Church: Prays for protection
- Early Church: Saw opposition as opportunity Modern Church: Sees opposition as obstacle
- Early Church: United in crisis Modern Church: Divided in comfort
Your Health Check
- Evaluate Your Disciple-Making:
- Are you producing reproducers?
- What evidence of spiritual power exists?
- How many disciples are making disciples?
- Assess Your Resilience:
- How does your church handle opposition?
- Is prayer your first response or last resort?
- Do challenges unite or divide you?
- Check Your Reflection:
- Would outsiders say you’ve “been with Jesus”?
- Is Christ’s character evident in crisis?
- Does your response to pressure reflect His nature?
Next Steps
- Schedule a Prayer Audit:
- How much time do you spend in corporate prayer?
- What are you actually praying for?
- When was the last time prayer changed something significantly?
- Review Your Discipleship Process:
- Is it producing reproducers?
- Does it depend on programs or power?
- How many generations of disciples can you track?
- Plan a Resilience Review:
- What was your last major challenge?
- How did you respond?
- What would the early church have done differently?
Remember what E.M. Bounds said: “The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.”
Next Week: Part 4 – Building Teams and Submitting to Christ’s Lordship (Acts 4:32-6:7)
