Building Community

Jump to What’s Happening at Crossroads

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” ³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”(Matthew 22:36-40)

Spiritual growth best happens in the context of .

⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² 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 4:9-12)

1. We accomplish more .

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. ¹⁶ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ 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. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)

2. We one another.

²⁴ There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

3. We avoid ignorance.

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (Proverbs 13:20)

4. We need help with .

¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

Confess your sins to God for forgiveness; Confess your sin to each other for

Friendship as an adult takes and .

Week 1 Application:

a. Be the friend that I .

b. Be .

²⁰ For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. (Matthew 18:20)

c. Be .

Additional Notes

What’s Happening at Crossroads

NEW HERE?

We’re so glad you’ve chosen to come to Crossroads today! We want to thank you for visiting and would love to get to know you. Stop by and say hello at one of our Welcome Centers, our First Step area, or check out ecrossroads.info for more. We can’t wait to meet you!

THE LOST ART OF FRIENDSHIP

In a world where friendships can feel shallow, distant, or disposable, we long for something deeper. Our new series that starts today reminds us of the beauty and power of true, Christ-centered relationships — and equips us to be intentional in building the kind of friendships our souls were made for. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.

DISCIPLEMAKER GATHERING

You are invited to our next disciplemaker gathering on Sunday, September 7th from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Cafe area of the South campus. This is for anyone who is currently discipling someone, curious about discipling someone, or serving in any of our ministries. It will be a time of encouragement, vision casting, and practical training. We will break into two groups. There will be new content for those who were at the past trainings, and we will cover some of the basics for those interested in discipling someone. Hope to see you there!

FALL GROUPS LAUNCH

God made people to live in community. One of our core values is “We become more like Jesus together.” Groups offer an engaging and supportive place to grow in your relationship with God and one another. Our fall groups will launch on September 14th. Check out the newest group offerings and sign up here or by going to Next Steps and grabbing a booklet of our group offerings.

RE|ENGAGE GROUP

Take your marriage to the next level by learning more about God’s design for it and connecting with other couples. This fall we will be launching a re|engage group starting September 14th at our South campus. To learn more & sign up.

Why Your Giving Matters   Find out more.

Pregnant and need help?   We’re here for you. Email us at [email protected]