Community Life Director, Casey Mock shared this week about the different Life Groups at City Central and how you can get plugged in. It is not our inheritance as believers to walk through life alone, rather God has a vision for the church to live in community! Today was a call for each of us to either join a Life Group if we haven’t already or evaluate how we can bring others into the family of God right here in our church.

God has a vision for the Church

A study by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy shows that loneliness has become an epidemic in our country.

However, God has a better vision for the church! Epidemic of Loneliness is not the inheritance of the believer, rather that we would love one another, and demonstrate that love to others!

Genesis 2:18
“It is not good for the man to be alone…”

Romans 8:15
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Psalms 68:6
“God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.”

We see an example in the story of Moses. Moses didn’t have a family and was taken in by Jethro. God had a plan to put Moses in a family. We too are brought into God’s family; though many, we form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5).

We pray that God would give us Jethro eyes to bring people into community!

What is Biblical community and fellowship?

Here is a biblical precedent we see set by the early church:

Acts 2:42, 46 -47
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

1. The fellowship of sharing experiences and support.

1 Cor. 14:26, 30-31 (MSG)
When you gather, each one of you be prepared with something useful for all: Sing a song, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight…take your turn, with no one person taking over. That way…you all learn from each other.

2. The fellowship of belonging.

Eph 2:19 (LB)
You are members of God’s very own family…and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.

3. The fellowship of serving together (football team at college drop off)

1 Cor 3:9a
We are partners working together for God.

4. The fellowship of suffering

1 Cor 12:26
If one member suffers, all suffer together.

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn.

a. Get your crew before your crisis
b. If this strikes a pain place for you, get prayer

    As the church grows, Life Groups keep it small

    Components of health within our life groups (all things we see in Acts 2).

    1. Eat together- Sharing a meal together is a sign of deep fellowship cutting through all other affiliations

    2. Share- As the redeemed of Jesus, we do not belong to ourselves anymore; we belong to God and therefore God’s community. We discuss the sermon from Sunday and share our thoughts/struggles/victories the sermon surfaced.

    3. Pray- God often talks to us through the corporate and bearing each other’s burdens.

    4. Processing- Living out the Word of God and helping each other live transparent lives
    a. iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another Proverbs 27:17

    Why Life Groups

    1. We see modeled by the early church Acts 2:42-45.
    a. John 13:35- “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

    2. It connects us to the body of Christ spiritually and physically.
    a. 1 Cor 12:27 (MSG translation) You are Christ’s body- that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything

    3. Community is God’s vision for the Church.
    a. Galatians 6:2- “Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.”

      God’s vision for the Church is a community of believers spurring one another on to a vibrant life in Christ where they go after the lost sheep and bear their burdens.

      Discussion Questions:

      1. Casey shared that loneliness is an epidemic in our nation. Have you experienced a friendship or community that has helped pull you out of loneliness? What was that like for you? This can be your Life Group experience or another experience.
      2. Under the “As the church grows, Life Groups keep it small” section, is there one component within a Life Group that is more difficult for you? Is there one you particularly enjoy?
      3. Is there a practical way you can “extend your tent pegs” or make others feel welcome and at home at City Central?

      Application Questions:

      1. This week, spend time asking the Lord and brainstorming how you can “extend your tent pegs” or make room for someone to feel like they are a part of City Central.
      2. If you are not yet in a Life Group, RSVP on the CC app for Life Group Sunday happening September 15th.

      Join us for an in-person service at City Central Church in Tacoma, WA
      Sundays at 9am + 11am