Acts 2:41 So those who welcomed (Peter’s) message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers… 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The book of Acts tells the story of a resurrected Jesus ascending to heaven, sending the Holy Spirit to his disciples on the day of Pentecost, and how the early church got started. If you’ve never read the entire book of Acts I commend it to you. Lots of great stuff that is absolutely applicable to our Christian life in 2022. These verses above tell us how a crowd in Jerusalem responded to one of the first gospel sermons preached by Jesus’ disciples, now referred to as “apostles” meaning “sent ones”. The preacher was the apostle Peter who was a key leader in these early years.

I appreciate the simple rhythm described here. They gathered in the large temple in Jerusalem for teaching and proclamation and then met in individual homes for food, fellowship, prayer, and so on. Temple, then home. Repeat. I suppose today we might say believers gather in larger numbers for worship, teaching, and so forth. But many believers miss the second part of that rhythm – the gathering in homes.

There is something special about meeting in a home instead of a church facility. There is a different feel, perhaps more personal or intimate. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it’s different than the larger gathering. These smaller gatherings have been a powerful part of my faith development over the years. As I think about the church I lead, I’m wondering how we might provide more opportunities for people to experience this smaller gathering. Nothing else is quite like it.

Lord open our hearts and spirits to the rhythms of your early church communities. Amen.