This week during Life Group Sunday, Casey Mock our Community Life Director taught us about moving from right belief to right practice—living out the truth that God is El Roi, the God who sees. Scripture shows us that God not only sees us personally, but places us intentionally in the Body of Christ, where every part matters and no one is meant to walk alone. Life Groups are how we live this out: a place to be seen, fully known, and truly loved as we follow Jesus together.
Orthodoxy (what we believe) must lead to Orthopraxy (how we live).
Today is about living out biblical community.
God Who Sees (El Roi)
· Two weeks ago, Pastor Charlie reminded us of an attribute of God:
El Roi — The God Who Sees.
· Genesis 16:13–14
Hagar—alone, mistreated, and running—meets God in the desert.
She names Him: “You are the God who sees me.”
God saw Hagar.
God saw Gideon hiding in a winepress.
God saw Jonah running from his calling.
God saw Jesus choosing obedience and the cross.
Psalm 139 – You cannot flee His presence.
Jeremiah 1:5 – Known before you were formed.
Genesis 1:31 – You are very good.
God sees you—and He wants you to be seen.
You Belong in the Body
1 Corinthians 12:18–20
God arranged the parts of the body just as He wanted them.
Your part matters.
You matter to God—and to this community.
When you fall, which part of the body helps you up?
This is why Life Groups exist.
“Get your crew before your crisis.”
“Tribe before your triumph.”
We were made for community.
Fully Known, Truly Loved
“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved… is what we need most.” –Timothy Keller
This is Life Groups!
Love Lived Out
John 13:34–35
“Love one another… By this everyone will know you are My disciples.”
Hebrews 10:24–25 – Stir one another up. Don’t neglect meeting together.
Acts 2:42, 46–47 – Teaching, fellowship, meals, prayer.
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 – Two are better than one.
Psalm 68:6 – God sets the lonely in families.
Looking Ahead
Through Building Beyond, we’re making room toReach. Restore. Equip.
More people will come—and Life Groups will be the place where they areseen, known, and loved.
No one does this alone. Hosts. Leaders. Assistant leaders. When the body works together, good things happen.
Application: Orthopraxy
How are you living this out?
- Are you in biblical community?
- Are you allowing yourself to be seen?
- Are you helping others feel seen?
This is God’s abundance for us.
Response:
Get your crew today!
- Sign up on the app
- Visit the foyer tables
- Consider joining—or leading—or hosting
Prayer teams are available.
If you feel unseen…
If you wonder whether your part matters…
If you’re afraid of being fully known…
Discussion Questions:
1. Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 remind us that God sees us fully and intentionally. How does that truth affect the way you see yourself? Where is it hard to believe that you are “very good” (Gen 1:31)?
2. What do you think your “part” might be in the Body of Christ right now (gift, season, role, availability)?
3. When have you experienced—or witnessed—community stepping in during a crisis or hard season? What did that show you about the gospel?
Application Question:
- What is one step you can take this month to live more fully in biblical community?
(Joining a Life Group, showing up consistently, hosting, being more honest, inviting someone in, etc.)