Week 3: Encountering God Through Community

Week 3 – Encountering God through People

Theme
I can encounter God through people.

Prayer
God, let me experience your loving presence and power through my Christ-focused relationships.

“Christian community exists when believers connect with each other in authentic and loving ways that encourage growth in Christ. They engage in transparent relationships that cultivate, celebrate and make evident Christ’s love for all the world.” – Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

You may have heard the saying, “Church would be great if it weren’t for all the people!” As funny as that sounds, many of us actually live out that statement in our lives. We come to church, we read our Bible, we pray, we may even fast now and again. Our relationship with God is very private to us, “it is between me and God”. When this is true for us, we are missing out on a vitally important aspect of the Christian journey; Community. Yes, we are called to have a strong personal relationship with Jesus. But we are also called into beautiful, encouraging, messy and sometimes frustrating relationships with others. Engaging in community may be one of the most challenging practices that you experience, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. People grow best in Community.

Daily
Review: In your journal, review how you have experienced God since your last journal entry.

Read: After repeating the theme several times, use the prayer to initiate your time with the passage. Consider reading the passage several times, pausing between each reading. After reading and meditating on the passage, record your summary in Section 2 of your journal.

Respond: Take time to respond to God. Write your response in Section 3 of your journal.

Day 1
Matthew 12:46-50
What does the truth that you are Jesus’ brother/sister stir in you? What about the truth that you are a brother/sister to those in your community?

Day 2
John 11:17, 32-36
Can you imagine Jesus weeping over your personal pain? How can you connect with others in their painful times?

Day 3
John 13:1-5
Imagine Jesus, on his knees, washing your feet. How can you show this kind of sacrificial service to those in your community?

Day 4
John 13:21-25
In true community, conflict will eventually arise. Meditate on the different ways that the disciples responded to the conflict at hand.

Day 5
John 19:25-27
Consider the deep love and trust between John and Jesus. Where do you turn when you need someone to trust with something precious to you?

Day 6
Philippians 2:1-11
Meditate on the attitude of Jesus in relation to His Father, God. Write a prayer to Jesus, asking Him to help you in imitating His humility.

Day 7
Review all six days by reading your journal. How have you encountered God this week? Write a summary of your experience. Consider sharing your insights with someone else.