Creating Community Exemplo

Community Is God’s Idea

Connecting with others is critical in order for us to experience life as God intended it to be lived. But the kind of connection we need is more than casual. Contemporary culture is the master purveyor of casual, noncommitted relationships. The overabundance of dating apps available today poignantly reminds us of this reality. But casual connections aren’t usually affirming or supportive. Neither do they tend to be encouraging or challenging. As a result, casual connections aren’t life giving. They can’t provide what Jesus dreams of and what he died for. They can’t provide the kind of oneness with one another that makes the world take notice. The kind that God uses in the hearts of people. The kind that transforms lives. Only the church in community can display that kind of relational oneness. Only God’s Spirit unleashed through his body can make that kind of difference. 

That is what God has called the church to be about: creating environments where authentic community can take place, building transformative communities where people can experience oneness with God and with one another, unique communities that are so satisfying and so compelling that they create thirst in a watching world. 

Whether in the little things or big things, when we’re connected to others, we’re more challenged to grow to become better versions of ourselves and more like Jesus. As Ecclesiastes 4 reminds us, if we have others with us, they can help us up when we fall. Because we all will fall. Sometimes that can make it easy to stumble out of faith. But it’s almost impossible to stumble out of a connected relationship, because we have people who are committed to us for the long haul. And if we run, they will run, too, because they’re coming to look for us! 

So if you think what you’re trying to do as a small-group leader isn’t important, think again! You may be providing some people an introduction into their first experience of meaningful, life-giving relationships. Relationships where they are known and ultimately changed. Some of you may be part of changing not only the lives of people but also the narrative and reputation of your church.

What are some of the things we need to consider to make God’s dream for community a reality? That’s what we’re going to look at over the next four days.

What are your specific dreams and desires for your community or small group?