Practice:

Invite someone out for coffee or dinner this week. Take tangible steps to go from surface level conversations to true biblical community.

Tips:

• Make a night out of it!
  • Have the group or person over to your home.
  • Enjoy a meal together.
  • Work through the questions afterward over dessert!

Questions:

1. The first benefit of community that Pastor Marco shared was the encouragement and strength we receive. Think of a moment or season where you received encouragement from someone else. How could that moment or season have played out differently without that person’s support? What did they do to fill you with courage?
2. The second benefit of community is that we are able to grow spiritually. Pastor Marco says,”God defines true growth by fruit that is produced. That is, what is your life saying about your relationship with God? How are you treating others?” With this is mind, why do you think community is so necessary in growing spiritually? How does being in community reveal your spiritual growth?
3. The final benefit of community is the freedom and healing we receive. Community allows us the space to be open and honest with one another about our sin and life’s challenges. How does this open honesty we find in the Body of Christ break the hold sin can have over our lives? Consider reading James 5:16 & John 3:19-21.
4. When God created Eve for Adam in the garden of Eden, they experienced total openness and vulnerability in their relationship (See Genesis 2:23-25). What does this tell us about what true biblical community should look like?
5. Despite our culture’s focus on hyper individuality we cannot argue with sociology and God’s Word–people need other people. Together ask God for the strength, grace, and vulnerability needed to really become a part of a community of believers. Ask Him to show you what it looks like for this to become part of your life and how you can bring encouragement, healing, and spiritual growth to others.

“No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” – No Man is an Island, John Donne