
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” —2 Corinthians 5:20
“There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself.” —Eugene Peterson
Community is central in God’s work of
Community is an important
“There will be no poor among you…” —Deuteronomy 15:4
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9
“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” —1 Peter 2:10
Community is formed through
“For the love of Christ compels us…” —2 Corinthians 5:14
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away and see, the new has come!” —2 Corinthians 5:17
“For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.” —Ephesians 2:14
The presence of Christ is
“The Lord said to Paul in a night vision,“Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.” —Acts 18:9-11
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” —2 Corinthians 5:20
The
“A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good…” —1 Corinthians 12:7
“For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body - so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not one part but many.” —1 Corinthians 12:12-14
“There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself.” —Eugene Peterson
For further study:
Scripture: Acts 18; 1 Corinthians 12-13; 2 Peter 2:9-10
Resources: “In Church as it is in Heaven” by Jamaal Williams and Timothy Paul Jones; “Befriend” by Scott Sauls
Community Group Guide:
Read through the passage in two different translations.
As you heard the Scripture, what stood out to you?
Do you view Christianity more individually or communally?
Is community a high value in your life? Why or why not?
Does it help you engage in community knowing Jesus forms it?
How have you experienced the presence of Christ in community?
What ways has the ministry of Jesus in community served you?
How can the community of the church bring renewal to the world?
To prepare for next week: Meditate upon 2 Corinthians 5:20