rick warren, purpose driven life; section 19

Cultivating CommunitySection 19 (pages 145-151)

Thursday 7 October 2010

You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

James 3:18They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

Acts 2:42

Thursday 7 October 2010

Community Requires Commitment

Thursday 7 October 2010

The HS creates real community - he cultivates the choices and commitments we make - God’s power and our commitment make community.Most of us grow up surrounded by unhealthy relationships - we need to learn new ways in God of relating

Thursday 7 October 2010

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.1 Tim 3:14-15

Thursday 7 October 2010

“If you’re tired of fake fellowship and would like to cultivate real fellowship and a loving community in your small group, Sunday school class, and church, you’ll need to make some tough choices and take some risks”Rick Warren (p146)

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes honesty

Do you care enough to lovingly speak the truth, or is easier to gloss over it?Do you remain silent even if someone is in a destructive ‘sin’?Does fear stop you saying what needs to be said?

Thursday 7 October 2010

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.Eph 4:15An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.Prov 24:26Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.Gal 6:1

Thursday 7 October 2010

Many church groups remain shallow because they are afraid of conflict - glossing over any possible source of disagreement. A false sense of peace is preserved. The problem is known but no one talks about itTherefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Eph 4:25

Thursday 7 October 2010

Thursday 7 October 2010

Until you care enough to resolve difficulties and barriers you will no grow close to each other. The conflict must be handled properly and maturely - this is not an excuse to say anything wherever and whenever you want.Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.1Tim 5:1-2

Thursday 7 October 2010

Speak to one another as loving family members.Paul to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 5):I'll tell you what I would do. Even though I'm not there in person, consider me right there with you, because I can fully see what's going on. I'm telling you that this is wrong. You must not simply look the other way and hope it goes away on its own. Bring it out in the open and deal with it in the authority of Jesus our Master.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Assemble the community—I'll be present in spirit with you and our Master Jesus will be present in power. Hold this man's conduct up to public scrutiny. Let him defend it if he can! But if he can't, then out with him! It will be totally devastating to him, of course, and embarrassing to you. But better devastation and embarrassment than damnation. You want him on his feet and forgiven before the Master on the Day of Judgment.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes humility

Self importance, pride and the like destroy fellowship. Pride builds walls - humility bridgesAll of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

What practical steps or

actions could you take to practice humility?

Thursday 7 October 2010

Develop humility - admit your weakness, be patient with others weaknesses, be open to correction, let other people be in the spotlightLive in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.Rom 12:16

Thursday 7 October 2010

Humility is not thinking less of yourself - it is thinking of yourself less.Think more of others, serve others.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes courtesy

Respecting our differences. Being considerate of others feelings. Being patient with ‘idiots’. Be more gracious with difficult people.Titus 3:2...to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Do you ‘defend’ your family in Christ?Rom 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.We can all be annoying at times - try to understand one another (history, doubts, fears, anything!) - try not to judge them

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes confidentiality

Create a safe environment - acceptance, trust - no gossip - Prov 16:28,A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

You have a friend who is well known as a gossip. The wife of an elder is gossip.

What is the result of gossip?What should you do about it?

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes confidentiality

Create a safe environment - acceptance, trust - no gossip - Prov 16:28,A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes confidentiality

Create a safe environment - acceptance, trust - no gossip - Prov 16:28,A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

You have a friend who is well known as a gossip.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes confidentiality

Create a safe environment - acceptance, trust - no gossip - Prov 16:28,A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

You have a friend who is well known as a gossip. The wife of an elder is gossip.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes confidentiality

Create a safe environment - acceptance, trust - no gossip - Prov 16:28,A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

You have a friend who is well known as a gossip. The wife of an elder is gossip.

What is the result of gossip?

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes confidentiality

Create a safe environment - acceptance, trust - no gossip - Prov 16:28,A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

You have a friend who is well known as a gossip. The wife of an elder is gossip.

What is the result of gossip?What should you do about it?

Thursday 7 October 2010

Cultivating community takes frequency

Frequent, regular contact with people builds fellowship - it takes time and energy.Heb 10:25You need to be convinced that fellowship is worth the time and energy - Acts 2:46, they met every day at the Temple...

Thursday 7 October 2010

Warren suggests to have real fellowship in a small group you should make a covenant including the following things:True feelings, encouraging one another, support, forgiving, speaking truth in love, admitting weaknesses, respecting differences, not gossiping, and making meeting a priority.This comes at a price - no wonder it is rare.

Thursday 7 October 2010

Point to Ponder:Community requires commitment

Thursday 7 October 2010

Verse to Remember:

1 John 3:16

Thursday 7 October 2010

Question to Consider:How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and in my church?

Thursday 7 October 2010