Part 3 - Community

God, in his nature, is a community of three persons united as one, existing in loving relationship. When God created human beings he created them to also live life in community. When Jesus came to earth he lived out this value of community and priority of love. He did not live life in isolation. He was born into a family and he grew up in a family. When he began his ministry the first thing he did was choose twelve disciples to be with him. They ate together, walked together, talked together, travelled together, and ministered together during that entire time. He established a community and he infused it with his kind of love so that it would be a continuation and a reflection of the community he had always experienced with the Father and the Spirit before coming to earth.

When the church was birthed, this same kind of community continued (see Acts 2:42-47). Placing your faith in Christ was not just about beginning a new relationship with God but it was also about becoming part of a new community - a new family of brothers and sisters in Christ. In the first century, there was no such thing as being a Christian without being part of a community of other Christ-followers. Church is NOT a building that you visit from time to time OR even an event or meeting that you go to. It is a family or a community that God wants you to be a vital part of.

How does 'community' happen practically today? I think that there are a variety of ways, including building friendships, participating in ministry together or being part of a home group, for example. A sense of community doesn't just happen. It can be awkward at times. It takes time and effort...