WEEK 4: THE GROUP FACTOR (COMMUNITY)

“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Rom. 12:5b (NLT)

1. I NEED OTHERS TO WALK WITH ME.
“Just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…” Col. 2:6-7 (ESV)

“It is not good for man to be alone.” Gen. 2:18 (NLT)

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Heb. 10:25 (NIV)

• Community is God’s answer to: Loneliness

“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.” Eph. 4:16 (NLT)

“Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. ” I Peter 4:9 (NLT)

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.” Eph. 2:10 (NCV)

“Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.”
Eccl. 4:9 (NCV)

• Community is God’s answer to: Fatigue

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10 (HCSV)

3. I NEED OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR ME.
“Look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.” Ph. 2:4 (GNT)

“Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord’s followers should.” Heb. 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.”
Eccl. 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.” Eccl. 4:10 (NLT)

4. I NEED OTHERS TO WAIT AND TO WEEP WITH ME.
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” 1 Peter 3:8a (NLT)

“If one member suffers, all suffer together.” 1 Cor. 12:26 (ESV)

• Community is God’s answer to: Despair

“Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep.” Rom. 12:15 (GNT)

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Th. 5:11 (NLT)

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)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 (NLT)

• God’s answer to fear is: Love

“But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News.” Ph. 1:27 (NLT)