Acts of the Apostles and the Life of the Church

Remind learners that through the Paschal season the Church reads Acts aloud during the Divine Liturgy. This frame keeps the resurrection central while showcasing the Church's expansion in the Holy Spirit.

Review sections such as Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 6:1-7, drawing attention to how Eucharist, fellowship, and diaconal service hold the community together.

Analyze Peter's sermon in Acts 2 and Stephen's defense in Acts 7 to identify core elements: fulfillment of prophecy, the death and resurrection of Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit.

Show how these elements continue in Orthodox preaching today, especially during the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom and the baptismal catecheses of St. Cyril of Jerusalem.

Ask participants to compare their parish life with the patterns in Acts: teaching, breaking bread, common life, and care for the marginalized. Identify one area for renewal over the next quarter.

Highlight the role of deacons, lay ministers, and monastics who extend the Church's presence beyond the nave. Connect this to parish ministries that partner with monasteries or mission stations.

Demonstrate the mission dashboard within AthonApp that tracks parish outreach, new visitor follow-up, and volunteer rotations. Show how it reflects the organizational wisdom found in Acts 6.

Encourage advanced learners to design a six-week mission cohort using the lesson outlines, inviting catechumens to serve alongside seasoned parishioners.