Shofar Stellenbosch | Godly CommunitySample

The definition of community from the dictionary: the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common.

From the Greek word for community koinonia, we see it translate to 4 English words,  a. fellowship, b. sharing, c. participation, d. contribution. From these 4 words, we get the idea that the biblical community of the early Church looked more like family than anything else. 

Before we get started with the devotional, we want to run through the heart behind the devotional. 

Our first and primary goal in this devotional is that we will grow closer to God. From that point, we want to grow closer to one another as children of God and gain a greater understanding of what it means to live in a Godly community and how necessary it is in the 21st century. So we want to embark on this journey together to see what God says about the Church and the community of believers that it consists of. 

Family

 The book of Acts sets out to describe and explain the acts of Jesus and the Spirit and in the 1st two chapters, we see that Jesus wants to establish His new covenant with His people through the Holy Spirit. So the disciples are waiting in the upper room praying together during the feast of Pentecost. The feast of Pentecost was a time where all the devout Jews from around the world come together as pilgrims to Jerusalem. As the disciples are praying, suddenly a mighty wind comes upon them and they receive the Spirit of God and start talking in different languages, preaching the gospel. Today we want to focus on the piece of scripture below that picks up from our summary, Peter has just preached the gospel to the devout Jews. 

Read: Acts 2:37-47

Take a moment to reflect on what you think about community is. Write down a definition in your own words.

1. What are some of the key aspects of community that you can identify in this passage? Write them down. 


2. When we look at the Acts 2:37 - 47, what is the one thing that unites this community?


3. Do you see yourself as part of Gods household, a family member?

Read: Romans 8: 15-17

When we come to Christ we are given new life in Him, we also gain a new identity as a son or daughter of God which in turn means that we gain a new family of people who are also children of God. If we look at community in this way, then we need to see that community = family. We believe that family is the primary model of discipleship. A place where we can be real, brutally honest, vulnerable, a place where needs are met and where we can learn to love truly and be truly loved.

Prayer

‘Father, help us see today that we are part of a spiritual family, your spiritual family. Thank You that it is only because of Christ that we can have a place in Your family. We pray that you will help us grow in our identity as sons and daughters, brothers and sisters in Christ.'