Community

I was skimming through an older book of mine on how people grow and change as Christians, simply named How People Change. In the chapter, “change is a community project,” the author quoted a lady who summarized her community group experience very well. So I’ll quote from some of that here. It’s a long quote, so if you’re in a hurry you might want to check this out later:

“My husband and I have been a part of the same small group for the past five years.... Like many small groups, we regularly share a meal together, love one another practically, and serve together to meet needs outside our small group. We worship, study God’s Word, and pray. It has been a rich time to grow in our understanding of God, what Jesus has accomplished for us, God’s purposes for us as a part of his kingdom, his power and desire to change us, and many other precious truths. We have grown in our love for God and others, and have been challenged to repent of our sin and trust God in every area of our lives. It was a new and refreshing experience for us to be in a group where people were willing to share their struggles with temptation and sin and ask for prayer....We have been welcomed by others, challenged to become more vulnerable, held up in prayer, encouraged in specific ongoing struggles, and have developed sweet friendships.  ... Because years have now passed in close community, God’s work can be seen more clearly than on a week-by-week basis. One man who had some deep struggles and a lot of anger has grown through repenting of sin and being vulnerable one-on-one and in the group. He has been willing to hear the encouragement and challenges of others, and to stay in community throughout his struggle...He has become an example in serving others, a better listener, and more gentle with his wife. As a group, we have confronted anxiety, interpersonal strife, the need to forgive, lust, family troubles, unbelief, the fear of man, hypocrisy, unemployment, sickness, lack of love, idolatry, and marital strife. We have been helped, held accountable, and lifted up by one another. We have also grieved together, celebrated together, laughed together, offended one another, reconciled with one another, put up with one another,...and sought to love God and one another.  ...with all the benefits of being in a small group, it is still just a group of sinners. It is Jesus who makes it worth getting together. Apart from our relationship with him..., we have nothing to offer. But because our focus is on Jesus, the group has the potential to make a significant and life-changing differences in all our lives.”

There were a lot of good points she made. But I’ll focus on just a few. The group shared their struggles with each other. Some of the quote (which I left out for space purposes) touched on some of the specifics. The main thing that stands out to me is how she says, “Apart from our relationship with [Jesus]..., we have nothing to offer.” As a Christian community group, our focus must be on him. He must be the hub of our focus. 

Kelly and I have tried to stay connected to a community of Christians in some way since early on in our marriage. I wanted to share this to help inspire and show the benefits of what happens when Christians work together as a family.