“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16

How do we listen to the Holy Spirit's direction for our church?

1. Prayer
2. People
3. Scripture

3 rhythms churches need to be healthy

1. Communion
2. Community
3. Co-mission

God seems to be stirring a desire for deeper community in our church during this next season.

Bottom Line

You need other people in order to faithfully follow Jesus.‍

Community is assumed in the New Testament

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
I Corinthians 12:12-14; 24b-27

Community is essential for discipleship.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews10:24-25

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

Healthy community helps us experience God's grace and care.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2

Ways to lean in this year

• Look for informal opportunities
• Join a serve team
• Join a group

Action Steps

• Spend time in prayer reflecting on your communion with God, community with other disciples, and how you're living out God's mission in your life.
  • Where are things going really well?
  • Where are you struggling?
• Pray about how God might be inviting you to step into deeper community this fall.