This past Sunday we took a look at our Core Values with specific emphasis on the importance of Community Groups. Community Groups are where we connect together in smaller numbers, living together, working for God’s glory. In community, we are united by our common faith, inspired by God and the gospel, and together passionately pursue Him and endeavor to share Him not only among ourselves, but missionally in our communities.
The triune nature of God (Father, Son, and Spirit) optimizes community. In a similar manner, as He created us in His image, He also created us to be in community. God personally affirms this when He says, “It is not good that man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)
When we are not closely connected in community we are myopic in our walk of faith. When we fail to share our gifts, our understanding of God’s word and the gospel, and how it is to be applied in our lives is limited. The fullness of the gifts that God gives us are diminished. Paul recognized this when he wrote, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ… For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12,14)
Jesus’ own life exemplifies community. He and his disciples lived together, eating, traveling, learning, laughing, and crying. Their lives were enriched by one another, their faith deepened, God was glorified, and the gospel message was shared.
For those of us who share in the blessing of community, we know the intimacy of the love of Jesus together. As we grow, we welcome others into the family of Christ. We know that our prayers are heard and our unique fellowship draws us closer to our Savior. We see Him working through one another’s lives, and as we witness our own transformation and growth, we exalt and glorify God, and we receive great joy like no other experiences in life can offer.