Community Practices
Why Church Community Matters | Jefferson Bethke 1:09min
https://youtu.be/qkr9IgofLT4
In Genesis 1:26 God says, “Let US make man in our image” He is talking about the trinity, the community of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If we are created in their image it means that, in our very identity, we were created for community. We think we can follow Jesus on our own. We have no people around us who are helping us do life but God gave us this family. We were created for community and to be in the Family of God.
Steven Furtick says, “Surround yourself with people who bring out the God in you. Certain things are contagious. Certain people when we get around them we feel something rising up that make us feel we can overcome.”
Reflection:
– What do you think about the comment that because we’re made in the image of God, we are made for community?
– Do you think you can follow Jesus on your own? Or is being committed to a community of faith important to you?
– What does being committed to a community of rich relationships where we grow and mature into Christ-likeness, look like for you?
– What do you think about the Steven Furtick quote? Do you surround yourself with people who “bring out the God” in you?
From Crowd To Community | Banning Liebscher 2:26min
https://youtu.be/OeosZY6stpg
Without realising it, consumer culture or consumerism is opposed to building true, healthy biblical community. Mainly because we’re looking for someone to do it for us. We pay money so we can show up, and others have done all the work. We show up with very little effort mentally. This is what opposes biblical community, because it doesn’t work like that. Community takes intentionality. I can’t just show up and expect community to happen.
Reflection:
– Do you agree or disagree with the statement that consumerism is opposed to building true, healthy, biblical community? Why do you feel the way you do?
– If community takes intentionality, what would that intentionality look like to you?
Why are Community Groups Important | Andy Stanley 3:26min
https://youtu.be/LeohKlLykCw
It is important to develop systems that help prevent us from straying into dangerous areas. Andy describes guard rails as a standard of personal behaviour that become a matter of conscience. Andy and Sandra have relational guardrails, and being a part of a community group is one of those guardrails for them. The relationships one builds when you’re sitting in a circle, sharing life together, and stories, and prayer requests, and opening God’s word together, go deep really fast. You invite people into your personal walk with God, so you have layers of accountability and friends you can call on if you or your spouse start drifting off in an unhealthy direction.
Reflection:
– Have you prioritised relationships with people you can invite into your personal walk with God, with whom you have layers of accountability, and can trust to call on in time of need?
– What do you think God may be saying to you about this?
How To Have Real Community | Francis Chan 2:10min:
https://youtu.be/D13B2uGgklA
If we just read scripture we wouldn’t think first about the gathering of believers. We’d think that we’re on a mission. That we need to go out and make disciples. What would then naturally happen is we’d find people on the same mission, who would encourage us to stay on mission together. We don’t necessarily need another gathering of friends. We need people who can help us stay on mission because there are so many things we’d rather do.
Reflection:
– Read Hebrews 10:24-25 – Have you found a group of people who mutually encourage one another to stay on mission, who stir one another up to love and good works?
– With this covid pandemic, with all the restrictions around gathering and social distancing, how have you navigated the command to “not neglect meeting together”?
– Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – How intentional are you about being in a connection with others where you can encourage and build others up?