Don't Go It Alone in 2022
Jesus showed in stories, teaching, and by example that living out the Gospel has to do with how well we “one-another” one another. Serve one another, pray for one another, help one another. Jesus' instruction was to Love One Another, which means you are not on your own. His all-encompassing, central request of us happens in community.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
"Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" 1 John 4:11
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8
To love requires community. What if 2022 was a year of community that challenges you to grow and interact with others on a deeper level?
Take time to think about the following questions and then discuss them with a community of people.
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If love is a verb, how is this lived out day to day in your communities? When have you experienced this love in community? Conversely, when has there been a time you did not experience this kind of love in community?
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Take time to write a list of all the "one another's" found in the scriptures. Which ones come easy to you? Which ones challenge you?
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In 2022, how can you foster community that values belonging, authenticity, prayer, and serving one another? Do you belong to a community like that? If so, who do you know that you can invite into that community? If not, who can you reach out to?
Happy New Year!