Life Is Better Together!
The Church is called to be a community that worships together, shares life together, and is on mission together.
Acts 2:42-47
Blessed to be a Blessing
It is the responsibility of each individual member of the body of Christ to exercise the grace and faith given them by God with sound judgment, for the benefit of the body, and in meaningful community with the people of God.
Romans 12:3-8 (ESV)
Disciples, Followers, Apprentices of the Master
Jesus is calling a community of disciples/followers/apprentices to learn from His teachings, be transformed to have His character, and imitate His practices and life rhythms.
Mark 1:16–20
The Blessed Community of Prayer
God commands a blessing upon His people who live in unity through gathered worship and shared lives.
Psalm 133
Authentic Community
Authentic community requires in person, face to face relationships rather than those mediated by technology.
2 John 12-13
The Church – Universal and Local
Question 71: Are Christians only called to be part of the universal Church?
All Christians are called to be part of local churches where they are led and cared for by elders, worship God, learn the Scripture, receive the sacraments, pray together, serve one another, and carry out the Great Commission together.
1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Acts 14:23
The Church – The Body of Christ
Question 70: What is the Church?
The Church is the Body of Christ, in which believers are united with one another and with Jesus Christ, their Head and source of life.
1 Corinthians 12:12–13
The Church – The Community of Believers
Question 69: Does God call you to live the Christian life by yourself?
The Church is the community of those who have personally responded to the Gospel, gather for worship, and care for one another.
Acts 2:36-47
The Beautiful Community – Humble Servanthood
If the Church is to be a beautiful community of unity and diversity, we must walk in humility, being willing to sacrifice our own rights in order to serve our brothers and sisters.
Philippians2:1-11
The Beautiful Community – Diversity
The Church becomes a beautiful community of diversity as we embrace each other with our different gifts, experiences, ethnicities, and backgrounds and submit to God’s Word together.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
The Beautiful Community – Unity
All humans are descended from Adam and are the image of God, but there The Church has been given a unity that flows from the life of the Trinity, but we must work to maintain this unity in practice.
Ephesians 4
The Beautiful Community – Reconciliation
All humans are descended from Adam and are the image of God, but there God has reconciled us to Himself and one another through the work of Jesus on the cross, creating the Church as the beautiful community of reconciliation in which He lives by His Spirit.
Ephesians 2:11-12
A Life of Transformation
The Christian community is called to be transformed into the image of Christ in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:1-2
Fruitful Friendships
Friends have a powerful influence upon us, so the wise person builds close relationships with people who will encourage them in prudent, healthy actions rather than emboldening them in foolish, harmful habits.
Proverbs 13:20
Watching Your Words
Words have powerful consequences for individuals and the whole community, so the wise person controls their tongue.
Proverbs 12:18
Disciples Connect With Others
Disciples are part of God’s people and work to connect with others in vital relationships in their local church.
Acts 2:46-47
Caring Community
We are living stones being built into a spiritual house where we can access God directly, shine light in a dark world, and be empowered to serve and love even in the midst of the world’s rejection thanks to God’s grace.
1 Peter 2:4-10
A Faithful Friend
Jonathan was a faithful friend to David, putting God’s call and David’s needs ahead of personal ambition and cultural expectations.
1 Samuel 20 (1 Samuel 20:12-17)
All In: The Church As Community
Those who have been reconciled to God by Christ are called to a life of community to help them hold unswervingly to the faith in this fallen world.
Hebrews 10:19-25
Unchained For Partnership
When people become Christians, they are united not only with Christ but with other believers in a vital communion and partnership, which carries both benefits and responsibilities.
Philemon 1:4-7
Manipulationslips
Relationships are damaged when we act out of the improper motivation to manipulate others to meet our needs but are repaired when we follow Christ and let our actions be driven by the motivation to minister to the deepest needs of the other person.
Philippians 2:3-11
Praying For Our Daily Bread
Christians pray to God for our daily bread, labor to help provide it for others, and look to Christ, the True Eternal Bread.
Matthew 6:11
Real Relationships In A Cyberspace World
We were created for real, physical, face to face relationships, but the iWorld encourages relationships mediated by various forms of technology.
2 John 12; 3 John 13-14
Community In An Individualistic World
We are called to community, serving one another and putting the needs of the community ahead of our own, but the iWorld encourages radical individualism.
Philippians 2:4
The Restoration of Community
The possibility of true community with God and one another is restored in Christ and may be experienced in His people, the Church.
Ephesians 2:11-22