At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, our mission is to “Be the Change as Jesus has changed us.” We achieve this through our “Just 3” initiative: Study, Share, and Serve. We study to love and know God, share to know and love others, and serve to put love into action. In today’s blog post, we explore the importance of community in the Christian walk, as highlighted in Jim’s sermon.
The Good News of Community
Jim emphasized that one of the most significant aspects of the Christian life is community. In times of struggle, having a supportive community can make all the difference. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
The Role of Bible Study Groups
Being part of a Bible study group provides a platform for spiritual growth and mutual support. In these groups, we can share our struggles, pray for one another, and find encouragement. James 5:16 encourages us to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Community Groups: A Smaller Family
While the larger church body is essential, smaller community groups offer a more intimate setting for fellowship. These groups allow us to build deeper relationships and provide a safe space for sharing our burdens. Galatians 6:2 instructs us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Study: To Love and Know God
Studying God’s Word is foundational to our faith. In community, we can delve deeper into Scripture, gaining insights and understanding from one another. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Through collective study, we grow in our knowledge and love of God.
Share: To Know and Love Others
Sharing our faith within our community strengthens our bonds and encourages others. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church as a community that “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This model of sharing life together is something we strive to emulate at Lakeview Christian Church.
Serve: Love in Action
Serving within our community is a powerful expression of our faith. Galatians 5:13 urges us, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” By serving, we put our love into action, meeting the needs of those around us.
The Strength of Unity
Jim highlighted the importance of unity within the church. In Romans, Paul pleads for unity, not based on privilege or pride, but for the sake of Christ. Ephesians 4:3-6 calls us to “eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a vital component of community. When we pray together, we invite God’s presence and power into our lives. Matthew 18:20 assures us, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Through collective prayer, we find strength, guidance, and comfort.
Conclusion
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we believe in the transformative power of community. Through our “Just 3” initiative—Study, Share, and Serve—we strive to build a supportive, loving, and united community. By studying God’s Word, sharing our faith, and serving others, we fulfill our mission to “Be the Change as Jesus has changed us.” Let us embrace the gift of community and stand strong together in our faith.
