HELPING EACH OTHER GROW IN FAITH // Building Community Part 4

God’s idea of community consists of radical acceptance that should lead to loving accountability.

“God accepts you as you are & loves you enough not to leave you that way.” -Someone, Somewhere

Q: How do I take an active role in someone’s spiritual formation?

A: Community = intentional relationships centered around the Jesus way of life

Community is for followers of Jesus.

Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.” Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.  Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” –Matthew 12:47-50 (NLT) 

Faith grows in  

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him. -John 4:28-30 (NLT)

Faith grows when we 

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” -John 8:10-11 (NIV)

Faith grows when we

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.  Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. –Galatians 6:1-3 (NLT)

Faith grows when our is in Jesus.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  -1 John 2:16 (NLT)

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”  -2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT) 

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. -Colossians 3:1-5 (NLT)

Next Steps:

-Send an encouraging text to someone you’re thankful for.

-Ask God who you should invest time into. Get coffee together

Resources:

Register for the Men’s Retreat

Register or Sponsor a student for Summer Camp

vineyardchurch.com/events