Week of 2/1/26: Sent to Reconcile
SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Created and CalledWeekly Theme: Be the Church - Sent to Reconcile
Sermon Text: Acts 2:42-47
Primary Reading: Acts 20-24
Secondary Reading: Genesis 37-43
Memory Verses (Through February 14th): 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
[26] For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
[27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
[28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
[29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 | Theme Reflection - “Sent to Reconcile”
The Church is not a refuge from the world but a witness within it.
Grace that reconciles us to God also sends us toward others.
In Genesis 37–43, Joseph’s story unfolds through betrayal, slavery, and forgiveness. What others meant for harm, God reworks into salvation.
In Acts 20–24, Paul lives that same rhythm - misunderstood, imprisoned, yet continually proclaiming peace through the gospel. Both Joseph and Paul embody reconciliation: suffering servants turned agents of grace.
To Be the Church - Sent to Reconcile is to live in the world as those who carry the ministry of reconciliation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we follow Christ as God’s people, we are a light in the world that seeks to love and serve our neighbor as Christ loved and served us.
2 | Daily Reading Rhythm
3 | Practice of the Week - The Bridge Prayer
Reconciliation begins with God. Our pursuit of reconciliation with others must begin with prayer.
If possible, take one small action toward restoration: a text, a kind word, or a prayer for blessing.
Pursuing reconciliation with others begins by remembering we have been reconciled to God, in Christ.
Reconciliation begins with God. Our pursuit of reconciliation with others must begin with prayer.
Think of one relationship - personal, professional, or within your neighborhood - that feels strained or distant.
Each day this week, pray:
Each day this week, pray:
“Lord Jesus, make me a bridge, not a barrier. Teach me to love as You have loved me. Make me a person of peace, not division.”
Pursuing reconciliation with others begins by remembering we have been reconciled to God, in Christ.
4 | Doctrinal Focus - The Doctrine of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is the act of God restoring broken relationships between Himself and humanity through Jesus - making us new creations in Christ.
Reconciliation is the act of God restoring broken relationships between Himself and humanity through Jesus - making us new creations in Christ.
By His death and resurrection, Christ removes hostility and Himself becomes our peace (Eph. 2:14) - first vertically (with God) and then horizontally (with one another).
Those who are reconciled become ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18).
This doctrine reshapes community life: forgiveness replaces revenge, humility replaces pride, and unity replaces division.
To live reconciled is to live cruciform - to be shaped by the cross that brought us near.
This doctrine reshapes community life: forgiveness replaces revenge, humility replaces pride, and unity replaces division.
To live reconciled is to live cruciform - to be shaped by the cross that brought us near.
5 | Missional Focus - Carriers of Peace
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of reconciliation. Reconciliation between sinners and God and sinners with one another. This Gospel is not meant to be contained within the church walls, but displayed through our lives into the lives of others.
Wherever you go this week -your workplace, home, or daily routine - remember that you are sent as a messenger of reconciliation.
Ask God: “Who needs to experience Your grace through me this week?”
Pray for one person by name. Look for opportunities to bring reconciliation where there is tension, encouragement where there is discouragement and truth where there is confusion.
You are sent not to win arguments, but, by the Spirit, to win hearts.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of reconciliation. Reconciliation between sinners and God and sinners with one another. This Gospel is not meant to be contained within the church walls, but displayed through our lives into the lives of others.
Wherever you go this week -your workplace, home, or daily routine - remember that you are sent as a messenger of reconciliation.
Ask God: “Who needs to experience Your grace through me this week?”
Pray for one person by name. Look for opportunities to bring reconciliation where there is tension, encouragement where there is discouragement and truth where there is confusion.
You are sent not to win arguments, but, by the Spirit, to win hearts.
6 | Community Group Discussion Questions
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 2 : 42 – 47)
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 2 : 42 – 47)
- How does the early Church model reconciliation through community life, generosity and shared worship?
- What habits or rhythms from Acts 2 might help us live as reconciling people today?
- How does Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers foreshadow the gospel’s message of reconciliation?
- What similarities do you see between Joseph’s imprisonment and Paul’s trials? How do both point to God’s greater purpose?
- Where is God inviting you to take the first step toward reconciliation?
- How have you seen forgiveness bring unexpected healing - in your own life or in others’?
- What would it look like for our group to be known for bringing people together rather than taking sides?
- How might we practice reconciliation together in our city or neighborhood this month? Where is God inviting us to be “ministers of reconciliation” to those who don’t yet know Him?
- What does it mean to “make peace” like Jesus does?
- How did Joseph show forgiveness to his brothers?
- Why is forgiving others sometimes hard?
- How can we ask God to help us forgive?
- What’s one way you can show kindness to someone who hurt your feelings this week?
7 | Closing Prayer
Father, we thank you that while we were still your enemies you reconciled us to yourself through the death of your own Son.
Holy Spirit, please help me delight in my salvation, to rejoice that my name is written in the Book of Life. Empower me to be a light in the world as I seek to follow your word in obedience. Renew my thinking and shape my heart that I might obey you in all of life. Empower myself and the church to be ministers of reconciliation as we share this wonderful news that has saved us with our neighbor. (Close by praying for someone on your heart that doesn’t know the Lord).
Amen.
Father, we thank you that while we were still your enemies you reconciled us to yourself through the death of your own Son.
Thank you for doing all that was necessary to accomplish my redemption. Thank you that while I was far from you, not desiring you in the slightest, you sent your Holy Spirit to awaken me to my need of salvation and granting me faith in the efficacious work of you Son in his death and resurrection to bring forgiveness of sin and righteousness that is now credited to me. What wonderful news! Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit that is a guarantee of my inheritance and who unites me with Christ through faith that all his benefits now are mine by your grace.
Holy Spirit, please help me delight in my salvation, to rejoice that my name is written in the Book of Life. Empower me to be a light in the world as I seek to follow your word in obedience. Renew my thinking and shape my heart that I might obey you in all of life. Empower myself and the church to be ministers of reconciliation as we share this wonderful news that has saved us with our neighbor. (Close by praying for someone on your heart that doesn’t know the Lord).
Amen.