Big Idea: Experiencing Christian community is essential to experiencing life in Christ.

Core Biblical Truth: We are all ministers of the Gospel

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ —Ephesians 4:11

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. —1 Corinthians 12:4

1. We are designed to journey together.

   wo are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9
   Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2
   Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:11
   Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. —Philippians 2:4

2. We are designed to be transformed together.

   Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. —Proverbs 27:17
   But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. —Hebrews 3:13
   And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:24

3. We are designed to be on mission together.

   After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. —Luke 10:1-2