Created for Community

Being an everyday disciple of Jesus requires involvement in a community. The Bible makes it clear that God never envisaged or allowed for lone ranger disciples. Everyday disciples find commitment to and involvement in a community both essential and strategic. This plan explores the importance and purpose of community for disciples of Jesus. (These devotions have been adapted from another Plan I have written for YouVersion [Jesus Style Leadership 4 – Sent and Team]).

Please note that this plan offers more than a daily reflection on Scripture. It is designed to forge everyday disciples who are aware of God’s presence and hear God’s voice throughout the day. Please try to build the lunchtime meditations and evening reflections into your routine, as well as the morning devotions. Before each session, pause to be aware of God’s love and presence.

MORNING

Read Genesis 1:26-31, 2:18

Devotion

Genesis 1 and 2 provide two different pictures of creation. Genesis 1 gives the overview and Genesis 2 expands on some parts. God did a great job with creation. After each creative flourish, the narrator emphasizes that God saw that what He had done was good. This culminates in 1:31 where God comments that His creation was “very good.”

But as Genesis 2 brings out, there was one aspect of creation that God said was not good. This was the creation of a lone man (2:18). It’s not that God made a mistake that had to be corrected. Genesis 1 shows that it was always God’s intention to create a community of people, because that is what God Himself is like. God said, “Let us make mankind in our image” (1:26). God is Trinity. He is both one and three (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). God has always been community, so His intention in creating us was to create a human community like Him.

Adam couldn’t reflect God by himself. A lone person could not be community. Right at the center of creation were two people (Adam and Eve) who would together represent God on the earth. This remains God’s good intention for us. We have been designed and created to serve together, to grow together, to live together, and to show God together. We can only do this in community.

Prayer

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You serve together in love, unity and interdependence. I know this is a high ideal but I long to serve together with my Christian brothers and sisters in a way that represents You well. Make me aware of the community You have called me to and help me to anchor myself firmly and lovingly in this community. Keep teaching me how to represent You in and with my community.

Today’s Bible Focus

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’”

LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)

1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.

2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.

3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.

EVENING

1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.

2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what He has said and done.

3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.

4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.