I ntroduction You’ve been given an honest-to-goodness human life, complete with summers and songs and ice cream and tears. You didn’t ask for it, but you have it. Now what are you going to do with it? What if you rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated the four corners of the earth with God’s love and life? What if you followed the example of the very first church in Jerusalem? This tiny sect expanded their impact to become a worldchanging force. How did they do it? What can we learn from their priorities and passion? Let’s ponder their stories, found in the first twelve chapters of Acts. Let’s examine each event through the lens of this prayer: “Do it again, Jesus. Do it again.” God has given this generation, our generation, everything we need to alter the course of human suffering. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven but here on earth. Are you ready to live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life? How This Study Works There are four weeks to this study, and each week includes five readings—days one through five. You’ll do this part of the study alone, and you will want to have a Bible and pen in hand. Every reading includes an “Act like Acts” section, which challenges you to follow the example of the earliest Christians, and an “A Life Outlived” reflection and question for you to ponder throughout the day. You will find a few special sections spread throughout the pages as well. “Get Unshelled” offers an opportunity to reflect on the parts of
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