We’re all in this together

 

In my last blog post, https://learnliveloveshare.blogspot.com/2025/05/yes-its-hard.html we looked briefly at what community is all about and we touched on why it’s important to be building it in our lives. There is so much more to this subject that it was hard putting it into an hour-long lesson along with the extra things to read that I was able to give out at our recent conference.

In this post, I want to go a little deeper into the ‘why’. The why of community.

If you remember reading about the giant redwood trees, you’ll remember how important it is for them to grow in ‘tribes’ or communities. They give each other support and strength and nourishment through their interconnected root systems. And so should we.

We need each other!

Let me give you 4 points on why Godly Christian community is so important.

1.        Community is a gift from God

So why do we need community? Because God has given it to us as a gift and we need to accept his gift. God doesn’t choose the gifts he gives, haphazardly and without thought. No. Each gift is an intentional act of love.

The first community in the Bible was found in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. (Genesis 2:18). Not only did God give Adam a helpmeet and companion, but he also walked with them in the garden. (Genesis 3:8)

God knew the importance of having another person to lean on in life. He knew the value of community. Sadly, through sin, they broke the fellowship they had with God and often it is our sin and selfishness that breaks the fellowship we have with other believers.

2.        Community is vital for Christian growth

a.        Godly community challenges you to be more like Jesus

In the book of Hebrews, we find an interesting verse. This verse has all too often been taken out of context, but we won’t go into all that in this lesson.

Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

In this verse, we are told to encourage each other to do good. We are to encourage each other to pursue God. We are to provoke each other to love. As we do life together, we help to refine each other. (Proverbs 27:17)

We can show Christ’s love to each other and challenge each other to reflect the heart of Jesus. As we grow in our Christian walk, we help to spur others into action as they see how God works in our lives.

a.        Godly community strengthens your relationship with God

As you encourage each other in the faith and learn and study together, you deepen your relationship with God because you encourage each other to be in the Word, to be in church, to serve the Lord, to be in fellowship, to pray for one another etc.

You strengthen your relationship with God as you challenge each other to go deeper and develop a closer walk with him.

3.        Community is vital for our well-being

a.        Godly community is a place where we can get our physical needs met.

Did you know that true, authentic, healthy, Godly community should be a place where you meet others physical needs? Take a look at this passage in Acts.

Acts 2:41-47 KJV - Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The church in Acts was a healthy, authentic community. We have to be humble enough to ask for help when it’s needed and we have to be willing to give help. Maybe it’s a meal that’s needed. Maybe it’s help moving house. Or cleaning. Or a financial gift. The body of Christ should support and love each other in practical ways.

The Christians in Acts were intentional in their serving of others.

b.       Community helps carry you emotionally

We know that no one except God can meet all of our emotional needs, but we can help meet some.

Galatians 6:2 KJV - Bear ye one another's burdens, (heaviness; weight; trouble) and so fulfil the law of Christ.

We are to support each other in the hard times. We have to be real with each other, in order to know how to help. If you don’t share with others some of what you are carrying, they will have no idea how to help.

Sometimes when we are weak, we have to borrow some strength from a friend. Then we can stand stronger. If we know someone is cheering us on, it helps us to keep going. We have to be there for each other. We need to be able to cry together. Laugh together. Pray together. Worship together.

c.       Community meets our need for love

Everyone needs love. God gave us the gift of each other to meet the earthly need for love. God’s love is amazing and unconditional and can’t be compared, but having a physical, tangible person who loves you, here on earth, is a great comfort especially when times are hard.

1.        Community is vital for our mission

Godly community is so important for the mission we are called to, of loving God, loving others and being a light that brings others into his family through faith in him. See John 13:34,35 – Others need to see our love. As you live and serve within a Godly community, it will help to open your eyes to the needs of others.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 KJV - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

We are called to meet the needs of others. When we’re part of a healthy community, we are called to strengthen those that are weak and encourage those that are discouraged. Being part of a community of believers calls us out of our self-centeredness by giving us the responsibility to look outward.

When we take the focus off ourselves and look around, we will see the needs of others and our love for God should spur us on to passing that on through love and service.

There are many ‘one anothers’ in scripture. Take some time to study them. You’ll find exhortations to love one another; encourage one another; provoke one another (in a good way); forgive one another; be at peace with one another; be kind to one another and the list goes on.

We can’t have an effective ministry without unity, and we can’t be effective without a healthy, Godly community. If our mission here on earth is to spread God’s Word and build his Kingdom, then we have to get along. We can’t be busy fighting amongst ourselves, or we’ll neglect our mission.

Building a loving, healthy, life-giving community is vital to spreading the gospel.

So, knowing all this, how in the world do we do it? How do we find our people and build our community? It won’t happen without some work. It takes love and intentionality. But, how??

In my next post I hope to give you some practical tips on finding your people and building your community. Hint: Time plays a key role.

God bless xx