Why Do We Have Community Groups?
“Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Did you catch that? Read that quote again.
The good news of the gospel is not only that we have been reconciled to God in Jesus, but also that we have been reconciled to each other in Jesus. This means that we do not need to “realize” community by working it out when we get into our community groups. Instead, it means we are able to live out and “participate” in what Jesus has already established for us by his death on the cross.
Based on this understanding of community (Christian brotherhood), we realize the gospel is the answer to the question “Why do we have community groups?”
Why have Community Groups?
At Vintage21 Church, we have community groups because God has designed us for community. Jesus died for our community. He has perfectly reconciled us to each other through the cross. Ephesians 2:14 says, “He himself is our peace.” Jesus has established peace for us with God and each other. When we gather in community groups, we simply express this truth to each other.
We have community groups as a way to share the gospel with each other. Why? We all need the very gospel that we are sharing with each other.
If the “why” of our community groups is replaced by anything other than the gospel, then we have turned community groups into something that is all about us. We may think that we know what we need better than God, but we don’t. We need Jesus. He is enough for us.
What’s the purpose of Community Groups?
Jesus clearly stated the mission of the church when he gave his disciples the Great Commission – to make disciples of all nations. This mission aligns with the purpose of man – to glorify God and enjoy him forever. When we live on mission, when we make disciples, we glorify God and enjoy him by sharing him with the world. This is our great purpose.
So what now? What do Community Groups do?
Because Jesus has reconciled us to God and to each other, we are free to participate in the new community he has created. This empowers our groups to do the “whats” of community group (accountability, confession, caring for people, teaching, etc) with a right motivation and with freedom.
Gospel motivation makes accountability something we look forward to because we know that our brother or sister desires to help us understand our forgiveness in Christ. Gospel motivation takes the responsibility of caring for people (whether it is for marital problems or abuse or identity issues) and frees us to love people where they are. We do not need to have all the answers. Jesus does and he gives us each other for wisdom, help, and care.
Jesus is our all
So we end, where we started – with Jesus.
“Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer