Growing Together

Who Helped You?

Who helped you on your Christian path to grow spiritually? Was it a mentor, friend, teacher, or maybe an encourager? What did they do that made a difference?

Spiritual growth is relational. God uses people to help people grow spiritually.

Today we are looking at “Growing Together” the importance of meeting together as the church.

Big Idea: God never intended Christians to grow alone.

Key scriptures: Act2:42-47; Heb10:24-25, and 1Cor12:12-27

Christianity Is a Shared Journey

So, we look at Christianity is a shared journey. We may come to this with some questions.

“Where do I fit in the church?”

“Why do I need other Christians?”

“What does fellowship really mean?”

“How do I get involved?”

“Why does God want me in a local congregation?”

God designed His people to grow together, not alone.

(Expand on personal experience; keep it brief)

I think we find answers in the scripture. In Acts 2 it shows the church is devoted to community. In Heb10 it shows a church committed to encouraging one another. And, in 1Cor12 it shows a church functioning as one body.

The Church is God’s Family

Turn with me to Acts 2:42–47 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

The early church was:

Devoted to teaching/doctrine

Devoted to God’s word. The only way to truly know God is through His Word.

Lord’s supper/Shared meals

Lord’s supper our setting aside and remembering His sacrifice

Also, here it can mean shared meals.

Praying together

When we pray together, we stay together, as one body.

Helping one another

Helping one another, looking out for the common good of the believers so no one had need.

Worshipping together

To worship, to praise together which scripture tells us pleases God.

As a result they grew together.

Yep, as they did those things they grew together, they had one heart, one mind, one body.

They weren’t just a crowd —they were a family.

God’s design is that every Christian has; A spiritual home, a spiritual family, a place to belong, people to walk with and people to grow with.

Question: What makes the church feel like a family —and what sometimes makes it hard to feel that way?

Something to ponder: How would your spiritual life change if you leaned into the church as your family?

Every Christian Belongs (1Cor12:12-27)

Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”

Paul in this passage reminds the church:

We are one body

We have many members making up that one body

Each member is important, and needed

Each member has a role

No one is unnecessary, no one is insignificant

Belonging is based on God placing you in the body.

Question: Why do some Christians struggle to feel like they truly “belong” in the church?

Insert things that could do it, insecurity comparison, the past, feeling overlooked or not knowing where to serve or how.

Something to ponder: What gift, ability, or experience has God given you that could bless the church?

We Need One Another

Again, please turn with me Hebrews 10:24–25 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” - - - to keep in context you can read Heb10:19-25.

The Hebrew writer makes it clear:

We are to consider one another

Stir up love and good works

Do not neglect meeting together

And, encourage one another.

Isolation weakens faith. Community strengthens faith.

As Christians we need encouragement, accountability, support, prayer, teaching, fellowship, correction, and community.

Question: What happens to a Christian’s spiritual life when they try to grow alone? (Pause for answers)

May suggest it brings discouragement, drifting from God, temptation, loneliness, and lack of accountability.

Something to ponder: Who in the church helps you grow —and who might God be calling you to help?

Become Involved in Local Body

Growth happens when Christians:

Show up

Participate

Build relationships, share life together

Serve and encourage one another

And, allow others to invest in them.

Some of the things we can do is:

Get involved in some form of ministry work

Be committed, devoted to bible class as well as worship

Reaching out to someone new; inviting someone to lunch

Praying with someone

And, asking how can I serve the body?

Question: What is a practical step you can take now to become more involved in the church?

We Grow Best Together

God never designed Christianity as a solo journey. He placed us in a body, a family, a community —the Church, His church.

We grow: faster together, stronger together, deeper together, and healthier together.

The Church is God’s gift to help us become who He calls us to be.

Major takeaway: Be intentional this week, connect with the church family — serve, encourage, attend, reach out, or build a relationship. For Growth happens together