03.02.2025 | We Need Community
We Need Community
Better together!
God Values Community for Us:
1. We Need Community so We Are Not Alone
Gen. 2:18 (TLB) And the Lord God said, “It isn’t good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs.”
We can be surrounded by people while living alone!
Coming to church doesn’t automatically connect you to community.
2. We Need Community to Answer the Prayer of Jesus
John 17:20-23 (NLT) I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them, and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me
“Community is deeply grounded in the nature of God. It flows form who God is. Because he is community, he creates community. It is his gift of himself to humans.” – Julie Gorman
3. We Need to Community to Grow
Heb. 10:24 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works.
We cannot achieve maturity in isolation.
We need others to see our blind spots.
Prov. 11:14b (NLT) there is safety in having many advisers.
We all need someone who will tell us the truth in love (Nathan confronts David, 2 Sam. 12)
4. We Need Community to Experience His Presence Together
Matt. 18:20 (NLT) For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
5. We Need Community to Discern What God is Saying
1 Cor. 14:29 (NLT) Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.
1 Cor. 13:9 (NIV) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
6. We Need Community for Victory
Prov. 11:14 (NIV) For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
Ecc. 4:12 (NLT) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
7. We Need Community for Healing
James 5:16a (NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
We confess to God for forgiveness, but we confess to one another for healing.
8. We Need Community for Lifting off Burdens
Gal. 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
9. We Need Community for Restoration
Gal. 6:1 (NIV) Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Gal. 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
10. We Need Community for Fellowship
1 John 1:7 (NJKV) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
11. We Need Community to Obey God
1 Jn 4:21 (NLT) And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
Heb. 10:25a (NIV) not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another
12. We Need Community to Find Strength in God
1 Sam. 23:15-17a (NIV) While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said.
Questions for discussion/reflection:
1. Have you ever felt alone? Share why?
2. Are you more introverted or extroverted?
3. Do both introverts and extroverts need community?
4. Share one or two situations in which Christian community was crucial in your life?
5. Do you place the same value as God does on Christian community?
6. Share one step you will take this week to pursue deeper Christian community.