Community

HGL Notes for w/c 17th July 

COMMUNITY

Notes produced by The Revd Malcolm Raby

STARTER: How do you understand the word “community”. Here is one definition – do you agree with it?

“Community is something we all want. No matter how you’re wired – introvert, extrovert, socially adept or socially awkward – something in your soul longs for meaningful relationships with other humans. We long to know others and be known by them.”

We are created for community: We have recently studied the Trinity: One God, three Persons. We are made to reflect God’s likeness – now that’s a challenge! What do you think is the significance of Genesis 1.26?

The Fall – broken community: Look briefly at Genesis 3 and consider how this passage sees sin.

In terms of unbelief (3.4-5) – a failure to see and believe what is true about God, the world and ourselves.

Redeemed community: The Good News of the Gospel. God, in Jesus, has done what we could never have done ourselves. We sometimes sing “There is a Redeemer ….” Can you put in words what is meant when we say that Jesus is our Redeemer?

Transformed community: Look at the following verses –

2 Peter 3.13; Romans 12.10; 2 Corinthians 13.11; Galatians 5.13; Ephesians 4.32

What doe you think it means to be part of a transformed community?

A redeemed creation awaits us, but while we are here on earth we should have a sense of responsibility for one another. The Bible encourages us time after time to take care of one another.

What does/should a Christian community look like?

One commentator has come up with a list of 10 qualities. Spend time coming up with your own group’s list of 10 qualities, and reasons for them.

SPOILER ALERT … the 10 qualities are listed at the end of this study and are primarily for the leader. Try to avoid the temptation of looking at them in advance.

In the light of your discussion – and having reflected on the list given, would you say that:

(a)    Ashtead Parish Church is a community?

(b)   You homegroup is a community?

How might you (as an individual/a group/in church) go about creating a greater sense of community? Especially in regard to:

1  A place to worship and pray (Ephesians 6.18; James 5.16)

Do you ever feel you are just a spectator when it comes to worship?

What place does prayer and worship have in your homegroup?

2 A place to serve (John 13.2-10)

Are you willing to strip away self-interest in order to serve others?

Sometimes you will need to be a washer; sometimes you will need to be washed

3 A witness to the world (Matthew 5.13-16; 2 Corinthians 3.18)

4 An ambassador of God’s love (2 Corinthians 5.18)                                                                                                                 

How might this show itself in practical ways?

PRAYER 

Pray that as a group you may deepen a sense of community. Are there any practical ways this might be done? What plans do you have to keep in touch/meet with one another during the summer break? 

Pray that as a church we may feel a genuine sense of being one community – not easy with six different congregations on a Sunday.

Ten marks of a Christian community (especially for leaders as they prepare this study)

1                    Meet frequently (Hebrews 10.25). Make it a good habit to meet together; to make it a priority in your diary.

2                    Authentic (James 5.13-16). A place where true feelings can be shared.

3                    Mutuality (Romans 1.12). Help one another to grow in the faith. How has my faith grown in the past year?

4                    Courtesy. A respect for one another – and for differences.

5                    Sympathy (Colossians 3.12). Support one another in challenging times.

6                    Humility (1 Peter 5.5). It is not easy to say, “Forgive me, I was wrong” but sometimes we need to say it.

7                    Honesty. Able to speak the truth in love; to be honest with one another – no flattery to make someone feel good.

8                    Mercy. We are all imperfect and there may be times when someone is hurt – how do we handle this? If God has been merciful to me, then I need to be merciful to others.

9                    Confidentiality. Our Christian community must be a safe place. There can be no close fellowship without confidentiality.

10                Unity. We are all different in many ways, but are we able to act as one despite our differences?

As we look at the opening chapters of Acts, we see that the early believers were all of one accord; they were unified; they were together …. It can be done!

How does your group compare when looking at the above list?

Are any marks missing? (these are just the views of one person)