Gathering In Small Groups

 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

Let’s take some time today and read the following passages of scripture.

Mark 3:14-15

Acts 2:42-47

Romans 12:9-19

What do these verses teach?  What do we learn about God and Jesus?

What does God expect from us, Christians, to live with one another?  Does our community mirror the community described in the New Testament?

Jesus’ followers should invest in their time in Group time.  This means devoting the community to people you care about and who care about you.  Group time can look like a few of these examples:   A traditional Sunday School Class, a smaller group of men and women for coffee, meeting in a home, or a group of people working on a book of the Bible together.

Jesus sought community with His disciples.  If you read the book of Acts, Luke writes about the early church community.  The New Testament letters were written to communities of faith across the known world.  Revelation culminates in the community of God worshiping Him at His throne.

The New Testament is all about the community with one another and how to live for Jesus.  Have you found your community to do life with Jesus?  If you haven’t keep praying and searching for your community.  They won’t be perfect, neither will you.  So in those moments of disagreement, offer love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy.  Keep Jesus close to help in those times.  However, don’t think that you should up and leave the community because of offensiveness or disagreement.  This shows the world nothing about Jesus.

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the relationships you give us.  I  pray that we will keep the community with other believers and keep sharpening each other in your ways.  For those who are still searching for a church family, I pray that you will guide them.

In Jesus Name

Amen