“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42
For the last few months I have focused our first Friday weekly thought on ministries of the church. Previously, I have discussed Foreign Missions and Home Missions. Today I want to discuss Christian Education. These are the three areas that are emphasized as we look at our annual Thank Offering to our denomination in November.
In Acts 2 we read what the early church focused on. This verse comes right after Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost where three thousand souls were added to the church. Today I want you to focus your attention to the first part of this verse.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…
Are we devoted to the apostles’ teaching today as we should be? We know that the apostles’ teaching is given to us in the Word of God as God used godly men to record His truth for us. Peter gives us a very detailed portion of Scripture to show this.
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:16-21
I have been blessed in many ways with the ministry of the Committee on Christian Education in the OPC. I’ll share two of those ways with you today. First, the booklets that the committee produces which are in the bookshelf in our church building. Take advantage to read through these various booklets if you haven’t done so yet. I have learned a great deal not only about the OPC but about God’s Word, Worship, and many other topics. Second, I have been blessed by the support and teaching they provide for ministers and ruling elders. I have been able to take some of the classes that have been offered and it has encouraged me in my faith and has also served to help build friendship with others ministers and elders in other congregations.
I encourage you to pray for the ministry of Christian education, not only in the ways I have mentioned, but also in our local church as well. Pray for the ministry of Sunday School and the ministry of preaching. Part of the great commission involves teaching disciples and that’s what Christian education is all about.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20