COMMUNITY (PART 1)


READ PHILLIPIANS 2:1-10

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

DISCUSS

1. What stands out to you from this passage?
2. Based on this passage - what is Jesus’ attitude towards the Church?

3. What cultural values and norms (in our culture today) are being challenged by the call to imitate jesus?


READ HEBREWS 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


DISCUSS

  1. What does this passage say are the benefits that we experience because of Jesus’ death for us?

  2. How does understanding the nature of the Gospel provide the motivaiton for committing to ‘not giving up meeting together’?

  3. Where do we see a temptation in yourself towards giving up meeting together?

  4. What does the writer of hebrews call his readers to actually do when they meet together?

  5. What role has being part of a community played in your discipleship/ spiritual growth?

    Apply

  6. What Commitments, behaviours and actions have you experienced, or seen in others that have lead to deep community being cultivated?

  7. What is one area that you want to be more intentional with regards to building or contributing to a life-changing community?