Living in Community

Acts 2:42 – Because of who we are in Christ “Christians” we do these things – who you are determines what you do!

  1. 1. They went to church
  2. 2. They prayed-Fast/Prayer/Scripture
  3.  3. They gave  
  4. 4. They gathered from house to house “small groups”

What is a small Group? – “Life Groups”

  • Intentional Gathering
  • Meets Regularly
  • Purpose of joining together for Growth and God’s mission

Biblical Context

Exodus 18:13-23 (NIV)
The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws." Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials(leaders) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges(those who live rightly) for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

 

Why are Life Groups Important?

  1. Covering
    • Pastor
    • Parent
    • Protect 
  2. Context 
  3. Community
    15 of the 59 one another’s are “…Love one another…”  New Testament
  4. Care 

What are the benefits of living in Community?

  1. Reflection
  2. Reciprocation
    Matt 7:12
    Do unto others as you would have them do unto you –whatever is or was hurtful to you do not do to others
  3. Replication

What is required?

Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV)
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership “Participation”  in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  

Personal Priority -168 Hours in a Week

  • 50  Hours Sleeping (x7 +1)
  • 45 Hours Working
  • 33 Hours watching TV-ages
  • 32 Hours on mobile devices/media –just mobile phones is 4 hours per day not including any other device
  • 14 Hours Driving
  • 8 Hours Eating
  • 5 Hours in Kids Activities – include driving over 20 hours  
  • 2.5 Hours Reading or Studying - (7-15 Hours –Students) 
  • 1.4 Hours Grocery Shopping (41x2)
  • Deficit of 22.9 Hours per week

If you choose to cut TV/Mobile Devices in half – Surplus of 7/8 Hours   

 

Crossing Church