November 23
A Community Devoted
to the Fundamentals
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Daily Steps
Following the mandate for gathering (Day 328), this verse provides the perfect blueprint for what that gathering should look like. It reveals the four core practices—the non-negotiables—that defined the vitality of the early Church: devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.
The peace in this principle is found in focused devotion:
Devotion to Teaching: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. This is the Word of Christ (Day 327) and the authoritative foundation of the Christian life. True discipleship starts with learning and submitting to sound doctrine (The Authority of Scripture, Day 271) and receiving equipping (Day 326).
Devotion to Fellowship: They were devoted to fellowship. This is the deep spiritual connection (Day 323) characterized by mutual care (Day 324), shared lives, and genuine love (Day 317) for one another.
Devotion to Breaking of Bread: This refers both to shared meals (celebrating their unity) and to the Lord’s Supper (communion), which remembers Christ's ultimate redemption (Day 225) and foreshadows the final reunion (Day 306). It is the sacred centerpiece of their gathering.
Devotion to Prayer: Finally, they were devoted to prayer. This corporate discipline acknowledges God’s supremacy (Day 322) and power, relying on the Holy Spirit (Day 319) for all needs, guidance, and purposeful action (Day 274).
Your peace is secured by focused devotion. Embrace The Practice of Fellowship today by assessing your devotion to these four fundamentals. Commit to prioritizing apostles’ teaching, strengthening fellowship, remembering Christ in the breaking of bread, and persisting in prayer.
Reflective Question
Which of the four practices (teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer) do you currently neglect the most in your spiritual life? What small step can you take today to renew your devotion to that fundamental practice?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to let the fundamentals of the Christian life slip. I thank You for the model of the early Church who devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. I pray for the diligence and wisdom to maintain this focused devotion in my own life and in my church community. Secure my peace today in these vital practices of The Church and Discipleship. Amen.
