Week 3 – Serving in Community
Day 1 Created for Community
Being an everyday disciple of Jesus requires involvement in a community. The Bible makes it clear that God never envisaged or allowed for lone ranger disciples. The benefits of community for everyday disciples are both essential and strategic. This Plan proves and explores the importance of community. This Plan has been adapted from another Plan I have written for YouVersion. You will find similar thoughts in Jesus Style Leadership 4 – Sent and Team.
This Plan offers more than a daily reflection on Scripture. It is designed to forge everyday disciples who are aware of God’s presence and hear God’s voice throughout the day. Please try to build into your routine the lunchtime meditations and evening reflections as well as the morning devotions.
MORNING
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31, 2:18
1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them… 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good… 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Devotion
Genesis 1 and 2 provide two different pictures of creation. Genesis 1 gives the overview and Genesis 2 expands on some parts. God did a great job with creation. After each creative flourish, the narrator emphasises that God saw that what He had done was good. This culminates in 1:31 where God comments that His creation was “very good.” But as Genesis 2 brings out, there was one aspect of creation that God said was not good. This was the creation of a lone man (2:18). It’s not that God made a mistake that had to be corrected. Genesis 1 shows that it was always God’s intention to create a community of people, because that is what God Himself is like. God said, “Let us make mankind in our image” (1:26). God is Trinity. He is both one and three (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). God has always been community, so His intention in creating us was to create a human community like Him. A lone person could not be community. Adam couldn’t reflect God by himself. Right at the centre of creation were two people (Adam and Eve) who would together represent God on the earth. This remains God’s good intention for us. We have been designed and created to serve together, to grow together, to live together, to show God together. We can only do this in community.
Prayer
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You serve together in love, unity and interdependence. I know this is a high ideal but I long to serve together with my Christian brothers and sisters in a way that represents You well. Make me aware of the community You have called me to and help me to anchor myself firmly and lovingly in this community. Keep teaching me how to represent You in and with my community.
Today’s Bible Focus
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’”
LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)
1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.
2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.
3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.
EVENING
1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.
2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what he has said and done.
3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.
4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.
Day 2 Community Really Helps
MORNING
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Devotion
We’ve seen that the concept of community comes from the very nature of God. Because God lives and works in community, so do we. But the wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes takes a different approach. He looks at life “under the sun.” The expression “under the sun” means without taking God into account. He concludes that if there were no God and no purpose and no future hope, aloneness would still be a terrible frustration and curse for people. He argues that everyone can see that there are huge benefits in doing things together. You work better. You help each other with problems. You support each other. You pass your blessings on. You defend yourself better. You can even keep each other warm (a big issue in cold Israelite winters without heaters). Even if there was no revelation from God, it’s obvious that “two are better than one” (4:9). He’s right of course. We don’t need God to tell us that we are built to work together in relationships. The concept of community is part of the fabric of God’s world. Of course, there are some things that we have to do alone, but the more we work with others, the more healthy, supported, and effective we will be.
Prayer
Thanks for the people You have put around me as I serve You. Thanks for my mentors and my friends and my church community. I am so glad that I don’t have to serve You alone. Please help me to build strong relationships that will last. May I be a good friend and a loving community member. May those close to me know that I care for them and have their backs.
Today’s Bible Focus
“Two are better than one.”
LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)
1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.
2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.
3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.
EVENING
1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.
2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what he has said and done.
3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.
4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.
Day 3 Unity in Diversity
MORNING
Scripture: John 17:20-23
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Devotion
Christians are a varied lot. We have different cultural backgrounds, different political views, different priorities, different perspectives, and even different theologies on some issues. Our diversity is a great strength of Christianity. It means we can embrace such a wide range of cultures and practices. You will find Christians in every single ethnic group. But while our diversity is wonderful, it is also a challenge, because we naturally find it difficult to work together with people who are different from us. In this prayer, Jesus is praying for those who would believe in Him in the future. That’s us (and millions of others). He prays that we will be unified in the way the Trinity is unified – complete unity (17:23). Of course, that sort of unity is impossible humanly, but we have all been saved by the same grace of Jesus and we all have the same Spirit living within us, so we have a huge amount in common. It’s this unnatural but incredible unity among Christians that will show the world that Jesus is real (17:21, 23). It’s easy to get on well with other Christians if you never have anything much to do with them. But that’s not unity. Unity is forged in the cauldron of community with Christians who are different from us. Our unity in our diversity shows the power of God.
Prayer
Sometimes it’s easier and less complicated just to do my own thing in serving You, Lord. That way there are fewer tensions, disagreements, restrictions, frustrations or pain. But I know that Your ways are better, and You call me to serve with others in real community. Please help me to love those in my community and life who see and do things differently from me. May we together show our world that You are real and loving.
Today’s Bible Focus
Jesus: “May they be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me.”
LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)
1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.
2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.
3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.
EVENING
1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.
2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what he has said and done.
3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.
4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.
Day 4 Serving Together
MORNING
Scripture: Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Devotion
Some people are super confident in their abilities and are keen to do everything they can. Others feel inadequate and are reluctant to take on responsibility. Both attitudes will cause problems in a community in which everyone’s contribution needs to be valued. 1. To the self-confident, Paul says: “Don’t think of yourself too highly” (12:3). Don’t get carried away with your abilities and achievements. You’re probably not as talented or gifted as you think. You really do need the help of others in the community. Work out what your gifts are and don’t try to do everything. Remember that everyone in your community has been placed there by God to contribute. 2. To the inadequate, he says: “You have been gifted by God and your contribution is vital” (12:6-8). Put every effort into using your gifts. Don’t hang back or make excuses. Get in there and give it a go. This is good advice. If you have not worked out what your gift is yet, then try different things and see how God uses you. As Paul points out, the body (or community) needs everyone to pull their weight in a humble way. As everyday disciples, we owe it to each other and to Jesus.
Prayer
Thanks for the gifts You have given me. May I use them well. Please keep me from pride by trying to do too much by myself or over-emphasising my contribution. Please also keep me from underestimating my influence and not putting in the effort. I really do want to make a difference by humbly using my gifts effectively. Help me, Lord.
Today’s Bible Focus
“Each member belongs to all the others.”
LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)
1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.
2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.
3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.
EVENING
1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.
2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what he has said and done.
3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.
4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.
Day 5 Carrying Burdens
MORNING
Scripture: Galatians 6:1-5
1 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 fulfil 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.
Devotion
There seems to be a contradiction in this Scripture. We are to “carry each other’s burdens” (6:2) and we are to “carry our own load” (6:5). That is a lot of carrying. What does Paul mean? In our community, we are responsible for each other. If someone goes down under their burden the whole community suffers. So we share the load and support each other. This means correcting others (gently) when they are doing wrong as well as caring for them when they are doing it tough. It’s so good when you know that your community has got your back; that they will be there for you when you are struggling. But then what does Paul mean when he says that each one should carry their own load (6:5)? Well, one danger of community is comparing and competing with other members. We can think we are superior because we’re more gifted, achieving more, or working harder than others in the community. Or we can feel inferior because we are not as able as others. Paul says to forget about what others do. Don’t compare. We are each accountable to God for what he has called us to do. Don’t let any slackers or heroes in your community be an excuse for you not to give it your best shot.
Prayer
Thanks again for my brothers and sisters, especially those that form my close community. Help me to be humble and supportive and to share the load that others are carrying. Help me to care enough to gently correct my friends when necessary. But keep me from fixating on what others are doing or not doing. May I serve You well whatever happens in my community.
Today’s Bible Focus
“Carry each other’s burdens.”
LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)
1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.
2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.
3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.
EVENING
1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.
2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what he has said and done.
3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.
4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.
Day 6 What Community Can Achieve
MORNING
Scripture: Nehemiah 6:15-16; 7:1-3
6:15 So the wall [around Jerusalem] was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. 7:1 After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.
Devotion
It took 52 days for the Jews to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. That’s incredible. I’ve watched road works that have taken years to complete using modern equipment, and here the Jewish community, under significant pressure and opposition, rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem (including new gates) in less than two months. With a new wall around their capital, the Jews could control their own destiny (under God) at last. This is the power of community. Nehemiah was a godly leader. He grieved, prayed, believed, shared faith vision, and helped deal with external opposition and internal conflict. But the community did the work. Nehemiah would have had no chance of completing this project by himself or with the small team he brought from Persia. He needed everyone to pull their weight. And they did. You can imagine the community’s excitement and confidence in God when the last gate was hung. This was their wall. Everyone knew that God had done something very special. As you live and serve together in community, you will see God do things that seem impossible.
Prayer
In a divided world that prizes independence and individualism, may our church community show our world that we are stronger and better together. As Your disciple, may I humbly serve with my community, encouraging and strengthening others as well as giving it my best shot. And most of all, may those who surround us see that we are doing all this with Your help.
Today’s Bible Focus
“The surrounding nations realised that this work had been done with the help of God.”
LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)
1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.
2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.
3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.
EVENING
1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.
2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what he has said and done.
3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.
4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.