Community

Community is the practice of being with fellow believers and seeing the value of people outside of yourself. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses how we are the body of Christ, and each member is a part of it. What would the body be without eyes? What would it be if it were all eyes and nothing else? The body of Christ is intended to be more than just a lone ranger; it is to be a collection of individuals corporately surrendering to the will of one: Christ.

Reflection Questions

Q: What kind of connection does Christ want you to have with Christian brothers and sisters?
A: I am a servant of God, and how can I show my love to him but by obedience and service to others? I seek to serve those around me as friends and brothers in Christ. We are a family, and I will do what it takes to encourage and empower those around me to live as Christ lived and to live out his desire for their lives. I pray for those God lays on my heart. I also pray that God will use me to fulfill these purposes so that my talk will not be empty, but that it will be proven by my walk. Each one of us is to set an example for those around us. Our connection is love for God and love for people.

Q: How does the life you are leading reflect the value Christ places on belonging to the family of God?
A: I regularly seek to be part of ministries bigger than myself, to be involved in corporate worship and small group study, and to personally minister to those God has placed around me. I try to be as Paul was in 1 Corinthians 9, especially in verse 22 when he says, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."