Temple + Table: A Pattern of Jesus
“They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.”
— Acts 2:46-47
This year we will focus on establishing the patterns of Jesus so that we have the posture of heaven. As we establish patterns of Jesus we believe it will adjust our posture to look more like him and we will inhabit the places we go in a new way.
The pattern of temple + table is one that has always been of utmost importance to the community of C3 Fort Worth. We’ve always said that church is not only done in rows but around the table. And in fact, that was how the gospel spread from city to city and region to region. As people went about their lives worshipping in the temple and eating around the table the true spirit of Jesus was shown.
Join Us At A Dinner Party This Week!
As our friends at Bridgetown Church say, “The history of the church is around the table. For hundreds of years, this is where the people of Jesus met. The gospel spread from one table to the next. From one home to another. All over a meal.”
OUR HOPE IS THAT THROUGH WORSHIP IN THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITALITY AROUND THE TABLE YOU WILL SEE JESUS IN YOU, ME, AND US.
And if you think Temple + Table was just a pattern of the early church, read Luke 4—primarily verses 31 and on—and notice the two places mentioned where Jesus heals… in the synagogue and in Simon’s home.
As we establish the temple—our way of saying in this pattern the gathering of God’s people in worship—and the table—where people gather to love one another through radical hospitality—we will see a posture of grace, love, hope, and serving that brings heaven to earth.
The best way we know to establish this rhythm and pattern in our lives is through our Dinner Parties. By setting a table we provide the context where people share a meal, share stories, and become family.
Join Us At A Dinner Party This Week!
There are things you can only experience in the bigness of a crowd in rows and others that you can only experience in the intimacy of a home around the table. Think of the difference between watching a game in the stadium to watching the game on the couch.
RESOURCES
Join Us At A Dinner Party This Week!
The Gospel Comes With A House Key (book) - With this story of her conversion as a backdrop, Rosaria Butterfield invites us into her home to show us how God can use this same “radical, ordinary hospitality” to bring the gospel to our lost friends and neighbors.
A Study on Eating & Drinking (A Practice from Bridgetown Church) - The table is a very ordinary place. So routine and everyday it is easily overlooked as a place of life changing community. The practice of eating and drinking is central to the Kingdom of God; Jesus ate with the lost, Jesus ate with community, Jesus ate with God.
Ten Lessons from Jesus’ Table (article)- Jesus often used meals to engage with people and teach important lessons. And he continues to call us to his table to feast on who he is and learn more about him through his Word.
Communion
Reclaiming Communion Together / The focus of community is instead more often around the table, around a common meal.
Teaching Your Children Communion / Parents, take a look at this guide on some ideas on teaching your children about communion. At the least, this becomes a time of regular prayer together as a family.
Take Communion at Home / Ps Joseph Prince leads us through taking communion at home with friends or family. This is not the only part of gathering around the table but can become a powerful time with you and yours.