Tuesday, April 18, 2023
I’ve been part of CedarCreek since the beginning. In those earliest days, we clung to a handful of verses as our template for what the ideal church community looks like.
Acts 2:42-47
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
As a church plant, I’m sure we were not unique in memorizing this Bible passage. But we did repeat these verses, pray them, and embrace them to the best of our abilities, and God brought his power! We shared meals, hung out, and prayed—boy, did we ever pray!
That small group of people became closer to me than my own family. The challenges and trials we brought to the Lord were so often overcome. I came to understand the power of fellowship in a whole new way. The love and closeness our small group experienced is one that so many people long for in our disconnected, lonely society. It’s the knowledge that someone has your back in this world of dissension and division. In a Group you find a support network of people who know you and who love you anyways.
Life as a Jesus follower was not meant to be done alone—it is too hard! In a church as large as CedarCreek, it is even more important to find a small group of people with whom you can do life together. It requires some effort, some risk, and sometimes the first attempt—or even the second—doesn’t always work out. But the church is not going anywhere. This life is a marathon, and a marathon requires perseverance, faith, hope, and cheerleaders! You can find that in a Group. Give it a chance!
Questions:
Do you wonder what’s next in your life as a Christ follower? Have you asked your Heavenly Father what he has for you?
Next Steps:
Join a Group this summer to connect with a life-giving community of Jesus followers. If you feel God prompting you, start your own Group.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to show us how to live and how to follow you! Even you, as powerful and infinite as you are, had a small group of friends to do life with! Help me to find my group of Christ followers who will love and encourage me. I pray I can do the same for them. Use the gifts you’ve given me to fulfill your purpose for me. I embrace your power, the same power that raised you from the dead, that now lives within me! I trust in you to direct this power to do your will. Amen.