"It is not good for man to be alone." Genesis 2:18 (NLT)
"Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others." Romans 12:5b (NLT)
WHY HAVING A CHURCH FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT
1. I NEED OTHERS TO WALK WITH ME.
"Just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him . . ." Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together . . . Instead, let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25a (TEV)
- Community is God's answer to loneliness.
"When you gather, each one of you be prepared with something useful for all: Sing a song, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight . . . Take your turn, with no one person taking over. That way . . . you all learn from each other." 1 Corinthians 14:30-31(Mes)
"As each part does its work, it helps the other parts grow, so Christ's whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
"Open your homes to each other without complaining ." 1 Peter 4:9 (TEV)
Action Plan: If you haven't, now is the perfect time to start or join a small group. Click here for more information.
2. I NEED OTHERS TO WORK WITH ME.
"God made us to do good works, which He planned in advance for us to live our lives doing."Ephesians 2:10 (NCV)
"Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together." Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NCV)
- Community is God's answer to fatigue.
"Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." Galatians 6:10 (Mes)
Action Plan: Do you have projects that you have been working on by yourself? Ask somebody to do the project with you, even if it may be easier to just do it on your own.
3. I NEED OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR ME.
"Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own." Philippians 2:4 (TEV)
"Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord's followers should." Hebrews 13:1 (CEV)
"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
- Community is God's answer to defeat.
"If one person falls, another can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT)
4. I NEED OTHERS TO WAIT & WEEP WITH ME.
"You should be like one big family, full of sympathy toward each other." 1 Peter 3:8a (LB)
"If one member suffers, all suffer together." 1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV)
- Community is God's answer to despair.
"Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15 (TEV)
"Encourage each other and strengthen one another." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (GW)
Action Plan: If you're not the type who likes to be open and honest with others about things you are going through, try opening up a little more this week. Share with your small group about something going on in your life that normally you'd keep stuffed inside.
5. I NEED OTHERS TO WITNESS WITH ME.
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)
">The Holy Spirit doesn't want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them." 2 Timothy 1:7 (LB)
- God's answer to fear is community.
". . . You are working together and struggling side by side to get others to believe the Good News." Philippians 1:27b (CEV)
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship talks with Lisa Birle about how Saddleback develops new leaders through its internship program. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
