The Bible 20/20 - Week 45: "The Power of Community"

This Sunday we are exploring the power of living in Christian Community. In our churches today it has become common to love the idea of being in “real relationship" and yet we hold each other at arm's length, approach relationships from a selfish mindset, or walk away as soon as things get tough. Paul offers us an alternative perspective in his letters to the Corinthian church. He contends that we are too easily influenced by the culture around us and our own immaturity and that living as ministers of reconciliation is the pathway to healthy relationships and our own spiritual growth as followers of Jesus. Life Group Questions: 1) Why is Christian Community so important in our lives? 2) How has it helped you to grow in your walk with Jesus? Are there ways that it has hurt you or been difficult along the way? 3) How does living in a community help us grow in maturity? How can we have a clear perspective on where we really are in our spiritual maturity? 4) Did Jesus highlight anything specific to you from the “personal reflection” questions at the end of the sermon (they are listed below)? What is one action step you can take to address that? - Does your faith ever contradict or correct your behavior, views, politics, or priorities? One way to discover how much hold cultural idols are shaping you, consider: What keeps you from engaging your life in church community? (For example, do you consistently attend on Sundays, are you committed to involvement in a life group, and more specifically the lives of the people you know there, are you sacrificially serving & giving) -When you think of your Church community, and consider those relationships - are you focused more on what you are (or aren’t) getting out of it, or what you are putting into it? -What if the health of your church relied on your effort, involvement, and care for others?