Rooted in Community

Bottomline:

Judges

New Living Translation Chapter 2

10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.

We have a burden that everyone but especially the NEXT generation would grow up to know Christ and all He has done.

73% of U.S. Parents Are Concerned About Their Children’s Spiritual Development

From 2009 to 2021, the share of American high-school students who say they feel “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” rose from 26 percent to 44 percent, according to a new CDC study. This is the highest level of teenage sadness ever recorded.

In 2011, Barna published their discovery that “59% of young adults with a Christian background had dropped out of church at some point during their 20s—many just for a time, but some for good.” In 2019, Kinnaman’s book, Faith for Exiles, coauthored with Mark Matlock, revealed that the percentage of dropouts rose to 64 percent.

Packiam, Glenn. The Resilient Pastor (p. 36). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

In the span of a decade, those who say they attend a church service weekly dropped from 45 percent in 2010 to 29 percent in 2020 (it was just as low in 2019),

Packiam, Glenn. The Resilient Pastor (p. 33). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Barna’s data shows that adults are twice as likely to say they are lonely compared to a decade ago; about one out of five Americans say they feel lonely.

Kinnaman, David; Matlock, Mark; Hawkins, Aly. Faith for Exiles (p. 115). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

A lack of authentic community has serious consequences.

Intentionally Christ-centered community can help cure an isolation crisis.

“We mistake connectivity for community.”

-John Mark Comer

Paul Tripp says in his book, Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy, "We weren't created to be independent, autonomous, or self-sufficient. We were made to live in a humble, worshipful, and loving dependency upon God and in a loving and humble interdependency with others. Our lives were designed to be community projects. Yet, the foolishness of sin tells us that we have all that we need within ourselves. So we settle for relationships that never go beneath the casual. We defend ourselves when the people around us point out a weakness or a wrong. We hold our struggles within, not taking advantage of the resources God has given us."

We can run from our problems or we can run towards then. We can play defense or go on the offense.

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” k 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Christ-centered community helps us walk in the Spirit.

The New International Version Chapter 5

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

A community not centered on Christ will always lead to acts of flesh, failure, and lack of fulfillment.

The New International Version (Chapter 5)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The by-product of living rooted to Jesus is the fruit of the spirit which enables us to live in community that is centered on Christ.

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

When we carry each others burdens we are doing what Jesus wants us to do.

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Small investments can make big impacts.

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go over commitment card

21/90 rule

Commitment to Christ will require a commitment to a church community.