Godly Community vs Ungodly Community | Don't Go Alone | Week 1
Community in Today’s Culture
Culture today wants you to believe that community can be found on a 5 inch screen!
“For example, some may fear their lives aren't as good as their friends' and withdraw from friendships because they feel they're not good enough.
That impact on self-esteem and isolation is part of the reason that increased social media usage has been associated with depressive symptoms. If you're constantly comparing your life to a picture-perfect image that others put forth on social media, you might not feel good about yourself, and you may be more likely to develop depression. Issues with self-esteem can also arise when posting about some relationships on social media... "People might feel left out or infer that they're not as important if they're not being shared on social media," Moore says.” - Kathryn Moore, Ph.D.
“One study showed that the mere presence of a cellphone when two people are talking interferes with feelings of closeness, connection, and communication. We are profoundly social creatures wired to connect with others. We are exquisitely fine-tuned to understand people by internalizing the minutest changes in their body language and faces. We automatically mirror and mimic these movements, creating a sense of understanding toward the feelings of others. This is why you cringe when you see someone fall on the street or why you feel sad when you see someone’s eyes filling with tears. If devices constantly interfere with your conversations, you undermine your ability to connect with others. You miss the flicker of emotion in your child’s eye, the look of exasperation in your partner, or the attempt of a friend to share something meaningful with you. In theory, social media is meant to connect us, but in reality, it acts as a barrier.” -Dr. Emma Seppala
Finally, a national study among young adults ages 1932 concluded:
Compared to those who used 02 social media platforms, participants who used 711 social media platforms had substantially higher odds of having increased levels of both depression and anxiety symptoms.
Setup
Selfish vs. Selfless
2 Samuel 15:11-14, 19-21, 31-34, 37 HCSB
“Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they knew nothing about the whole matter. While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase. Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.” But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there! ”
Then someone reported to David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” “ Lord,” David pleaded, “please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness! ” When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me, but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, my king! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s counsel for me.
So Hushai, David’s personal adviser, entered Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.”
“When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine. The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these? ” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who become exhausted in the desert.”
Ungodly Community: Selfish
Godly community: Selfless
Mercy vs. Malice
2 Samuel 16:1-2, 5-6, 9, 11-12 HCSB
When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached. He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left.
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off!”
Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life — how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.””
2 Samuel 16:15, 20-21 HCSB
“Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him.
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do? ” Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines he left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.”
The Science of Adolescent Influence:
Adolescents are quite likely to emulate the behavior of popular peers. They have a strong investment in social comparison and reflected appraisal and with meeting the demands of those considered the most popular in their peer group.
Addiction Recovery:
Teenagers whose best friend drinks alcohol are twice as likely to try it themselves. Young people who are exposed to alcohol earlier are more likely to have problems with drinking as an adult.
Ungodly Community: Malice and Revenge
Godly community: Mercy and Grace
Going Together vs. Going Alone
2 Samuel 17:1-3 HCSB
“Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight. I will attack him while he is weak and weary, throw him into a panic, and all the
people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re seeking, all the people will be at peace.””
2 Samuel 17:7, 14-15, 23 HCSB
“Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
Since the Lord had decreed that Ahithophel’s good advice be undermined in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”
When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He set his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.”
2 Samuel 18:1-3 HCSB
“David reviewed his troops and appointed commanders of hundreds and of thousands over them. He then sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the troops, “I will also march out with you.” “You must not go!” the people pleaded. “If we have to flee, they will not pay any attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not pay any attention to us because you are worth 10,000 of us. Therefore, it is better if you support us from the city.””
Galatians 6:2
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Ungodly Community: Goes Alone
Godly community: Goes Together
Hebrews 10:24-25
“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.”