Here at Discover Community, we have a few areas to serve in. The main ones are setup & take down of the church every week and the Youth / Kids ministry. Areas to plug in and be apart of Discover is of course Sunday worship, but also Life Groups, Prayer Chain, and Men’s & Women’s Ministries
But why is this important? Why is it so critical that we be more than a “Sunday Attendee?”
In Jesus’ ministry, he setup examples for his people to follow. And in that, how to setup a church or a community. The Bible in many places shows us how important this is.
“They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. Acts 1:14-15”
When he (Paul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples….Acts 9:26
The above two versus shows us that the earliest church did this. They met together and becoming a part of the church was sought after. This earliest model worked then and still works today. Why? It is where we have community. It is where we are loved and cared for.
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Cor. 12: 18
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
This is where God placed you and where the saved are! God has placed you here. It is of no accident. And your role, your purpose is important and meaningful.
Gathering together is also where your troubles, sorrows, and heartaches can be lifted up, and encouragement happens.
In Matthew it says: 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When we share our concerns, fears, failures, worries etc. with each other and take care of each other, this is how we love. This is how we show Jesus. This is how we encourage.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thes. 5:11
We are NOT MEANT to go through this life alone. Where two or more are gathered in my name, I (God) am present. This is a promise that holds true. We need to have Godly people in our lives to help us. To share with and to love. The Bible even tells us “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Heb. 10:25 The importance of gathering together cannot be simplified or glossed over.
Neglecting Church is not good. God has designed the church. We are to be with His people. We are to be in community. One of the best parts of my week is being with the people of Discover Community on Sunday while we’re setting things up or tearing it down. We get to say “hi,” we get to hear how the week went, or find out a way to pray for each other. But most of all, we’re together. Yes, SERVING is important, but being connected is much much more important. This is why Life Groups, Prayer Chain, Men’s and Women’s Ministry, Kids and Youth Ministries are so important. This is where we get connected and live in the glory of our Father’s love.
