Week 2: Strengthen The Community

Opening Questions

  • What stood out most to you from the daily Scripture readings this week? Did you learn anything new? Did you have questions? Did you gain insight to share with the group?

  • Jesus unites a group of infinitely unique people.  Think about your family background and life experiences.  What would be 5-10 characteristics, relationships, accomplishments, key events, etc. that have shaped who you are?  Share several things from your list with the group.

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Reflection

Strong individuals make strong communities.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

In what ways are you cooperating with God’s building plan for your life?  If you are comfortable, share your sketches from Week 2, Day 6 of the daily Scripture readings.  Celebrate what God has been able to build in you.  

 Is any part of the remodeling process painful for you right now?  Are there any areas in which you are fighting the remodeling process?  

Strong communities make strong Individuals.

 “I will be with you.  I welcome you to be with me.  It is in your being with me that I come to know who I am and it is in our being together that it is possible to know who He is who has the power to change us both.”

Elizabeth O’Connor, Inward Journey, Outward Journey


How have you been strengthened or encouraged by your community?


Practicing Community: Offer Presence

In Old Testament times, the temple in Jerusalem was divided into various sections, separating people groups.  The Gentile Court was the outermost section of the temple compound.  Gentiles who came to worship God were restricted to this section.  Continuing toward the center of the temple grounds, the next designated area was the Women’s Court, beyond which only Jewish men could proceed.  Only men from the tribe of Levi could continue on into the Holy Place.  And finally, only the high priest could enter once a year into the centermost chamber of the Holy of Holies. 

 

But God removed all of the barriers through Jesus.  When Jesus died, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies tore in two from top to bottom, giving every person direct access to the Father.  Our relational God restored us to Himself, and He now intends for us to offer community and fellowship to each other.  

Next Steps

How might God be inviting you into deeper community?  How do you want to respond?

How can this group support you? End your meeting in prayer for each other.