Devotion: The Church That Shapes You

 Devotion: The Church That Shapes You

Scripture, Reflection, Contemplation, and Prayer

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Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles… And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

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Personal Reflection

How would I describe my church? Is it a place of safe, predictable routine where things are "done decently and in order"—but often at the expense of spiritual spontaneity? Or is it free to the point of chaos, where emotion outweighs truth and experience eclipses Scripture?

I must confess: I've seen both sides. One offers a sanitized spirituality, protecting against “error” but often starving the soul. The other, in pursuit of freedom, sometimes loses its mooring in truth. I’ve also realized how much these environments shape my personal walk with Christ. What my church emphasizes—whether standards, safety, freedom, or formality—inevitably bleeds into what I value most in my private spiritual life.

But then I look at the early church—devotedto truth, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They were alive with the Spirit’s presence, yet grounded in the apostles’ teaching. They were reverent but not rigid, Spirit-filled but not erratic. They didn’t invite people to pray a quick prayer and disappear. They called people to follow Jesus, to become disciples—not merely converts.

The real question is this: does my church, and does my life, reflect that balance? Am I becoming a disciple of Christ, or simply a member of a church culture?

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Contemplation

• What is the dominant spiritual atmosphere in my church?

• How is my church shaping my view of God and discipleship?

• Is there a healthy balance between truth and Spirit, order and freedom?

• Is the mission of Jesus—to make disciples—truly the priority in my church?

• And perhaps most importantly: what am I doing to make sure my walk with God is rooted in His Word and led by His Spirit?

There truly is a ditch on either side of the road. On one side lies complacency—churches so afraid of getting it “wrong” that they do little at all. On the other lies wildfire—churches so unrestrained they burn up the wheat with the tares. But the road Christ calls us to walk is the narrow way of truth in love, of Spirit and truth, of order and power.

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Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You are the Head of the Church, and You are still walking among the lampstands today. Open my eyes to see clearly how my church is shaping my walk with You. If we are too cautious, stir us with fresh fire. If we are too chaotic, anchor us again in truth. And if we are missing the call to true discipleship, awaken us to follow You more deeply.

Forgive me, Lord, for allowing culture—whether inside or outside the church—to shape my faith more than Your Word. Teach me to walk the path You walked—balanced, Spirit-filled, grounded, humble, and obedient.

Make me a true disciple, not just a passive listener. And let my church be a place where disciples are made, not merely where members attend. May we reflect the beauty and power of the early church—a people of Word, Spirit, unity, prayer, and mission.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Today’s Challenge:
Take time to honestly assess your church—and your role in it. Where is the emphasis? Is it on Christ and His mission to make disciples? Is the Spirit welcomed, yet tested by the Word? Pray for your church. And ask the Lord what you can do to help it become more like the one in Acts 2.