Spiritual Leadership for Parents Of: KidsSample

Community

Did you have a parent that warned you to be careful who you spent time with? As the story went, you would become just like the people you spent your time around, so your job was to pick good ones and avoid (or break up with) the bad ones.

What an aggravating thing to be told over and over. Especially because the older you get, the more you realize your parents were right all along.

The Bible has been saying that same thing for thousands of years. We read some Bible verses earlier, each reflecting on how crucial having the right people in our life is. Whether we focus on the positives of having the right people or the negatives of having the wrong people, it all points in the same direction: your community will change your life; how your community changes it is up to you.

The stakes are even higher when we consider those closest to us. Not only are we affected by our community, but so are those we love. This is why our church places such a high value on being a part of a small group. It puts us into community with others who are journeying toward Jesus. While it may not be perfect, it is a great starting point for families to practice caring for others, serving together, and sharing life.

This doesn’t mean we all have to break up with all our old friends. It just means that we add a layer of intention to who we put around our family. We choose to be in community with those who share our faith and values because it builds our faith and family. It’s the way the church has always been designed to operate.

Today, take a moment and audit those in your life who have the greatest access to you and your family. Are they headed in the same direction you want to go? How is that affecting you and your family? And how can you incorporate some more positive people to join you in your family’s journey toward Jesus?

Being part of a church is more than just showing up, it’s joining others on their journey and together moving toward Jesus. Your family will be forever changed by who you spend time around. At least now that we’re older, we can admit our parents were right all along.