Pulpit Curriculum: Uncommon Community: A Divine Design

September 8^th – 14^th, 2024

Sermon Summary

The sermon launched from the Biblical aphorism that it is not good that man should be alone and segued to establish a compelling case for the desirability of believers living life in divinely inspired uncommon community. Pastor succinctly set out two key pillars of this dynamic – the reality that community is necessary, and secondly, that humanity is designed for purposeful relationships. The one non-negotiable, he then suggested, is that participants must buy-in to a community blueprint reflective of the very nature of a relational God who created us in his own image. By way of peroration, Pastor made an impassioned plea for his listeners to get involved in Small Groups to give legs to his Life in Uncommon Community theme.

Verse of the Week

Geneses 2:18
¹⁸ “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Going Deeper

Review: Genesis 2: 18; Genesis 1: 26-27

1a) What is your understanding of being made in God’s image Genesis 1: 26; ?

b) How does a believer’s commitment to reflecting God’s image make a difference in interactions with others, both believers and non-believers, in community?

2) God charged mankind with dominion over all other living creatures. With appropriate reference to Scripture, discuss how sin altered the dynamic of this divine instruction.

3a) List the various outputs of God’s creation endeavours in Genesis, all of which were described as ‘good’.

b) On the other hand, it was stated as ‘not good’ that man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). What distinguishes man from everything else in creation?

4) We learned in the sermon that the notion of living in community was well established in the Old Testament. On the other hand, John 15: 13; suggested a somewhat nuanced perspective on communal life. Discuss.

5) While God in His supreme wisdom created a helper fit for Adam Genesis 2: 18; in time that relationship would rupture because of mankind’s spiritual frailty. Somewhat later, Jacob’s favourite son, Joseph had a distinctly topsy turvy relationship with his siblings. Explain your understanding of the rather toxic family dynamic at play in this story. Support your comments with reference to Scripture.

Assess Your Life

_{The following questions are meant to encourage personal reflection and identify areas for spiritual growth in your relationship with God. Ask yourself the questions, respond honestly, write down your responses, and then prayerfully seek God’s conviction and guidance to move forward to repentance and restoration. In discussions with your friends and family, or in your Small Group, be open to sharing your responses with others in a spirit of accountability and transparency.}

Would right thinking people who know me say that my life mirrors God’s impact in any way?
Am I too often nothing more than an unproductive loner, bereft of meaningful relationships?**
Do my natural instincts trend more toward individualism, division and self-interest, rather than mutuality, cooperation and selfless support?
Is God central to all I do?

Application

_{One key objective of this Pulpit Curriculum is taking God’s truth as exposed in the sermon and helping people apply that truth in practical and intentional ways to plot a course toward obedience and transformation. This section is intended to achieve that objective.}

I am now so aware that I am not where I need to be, and I pledge, with God’s help to up the ante in my tenuous connection to Christ-centred community involvement. I cannot do this on my own.

I will ask_____ to hold me accountable in this.

Sermon Main Points

Mankind is primed to live in uncommon community designed by God reflecting that:

Community is necessary (Genesis 2: 18a)
The notion that human beings are not meant to live life alone.

Humanity is designed for purposeful relationships (Genesis 2: 18b)
The divine plan for partnerships involving mutual assistance and support.

Reflect God’s design in our community (Genesis 1: 26-27)
That man was created in God’s image mirroring relationships displaying God’s very nature.

Sermon Reflection

What stood out for me in this sermon?

What can I do to remember this?

Quotes

 Our relationships are not just for our benefit; they are meant to show the world who God is.

 When we live in unity, love, and humility, we point others to the relational nature of our Creator.

 Let’s embrace the design God has for us, pursuing relationships that are intentional and mission-driven,
recognizing that we are stronger and more effective together than we are alone.

 The gifts we are given by God are meant to be used within the context of community.

 We were designed not just to exist in relationships for companionship but to thrive in purposeful partnerships that lead to the fulfillment of God’s plans for our lives.

5 Day Study Plan

Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.

Follow these steps

1. Observe the text.
_{(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)}

2. Interpret the text.
_{(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)}

3. Apply the text.
_{(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)}

Day 1 - Psalm 142