Embracing Community: The Power of Togetherness

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Community

Community is essential for spiritual growth and support. Jesus, though fully capable of accomplishing His ministry alone, chose to surround Himself with a group of disciples. This decision was not for His benefit but for theirs and ultimately for ours. By doing life together, the disciples learned, grew, and supported one another, creating a lasting impact that extended beyond Jesus' earthly ministry. This model underscores the importance of community in our spiritual journey. We are better together, learning and growing in ways we couldn't achieve alone. [05:40]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Think of a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did having a community or lack thereof impact your experience? How can you actively seek out or strengthen your community today?

Day 2: Learning Together

Engaging with the Word of God in a group setting enriches our understanding. Different perspectives and insights from fellow believers can deepen our faith and broaden our spiritual horizons. This collective learning makes us better equipped to face life's challenges. When we study the Bible together, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of its teachings and how to apply them in our lives. This shared learning experience fosters spiritual growth and unity among believers. [12:46]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Think about your current Bible study habits. How can you incorporate group study into your routine to gain new insights and perspectives? Who can you invite to join you in this journey?

Day 3: Recharging with Others

Life is tough, and we all face moments of exhaustion and discouragement. Having a community to recharge with can make all the difference. Whether it's dealing with personal struggles or family issues, being surrounded by supportive believers can provide the strength and encouragement we need to keep going. This support system helps us navigate life's challenges and reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. [17:52]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Identify a current struggle or challenge you are facing. How can you reach out to your community for support and encouragement? What steps can you take to be a source of strength for someone else in need?

Day 4: Serving Together

Serving with others reminds us that life is not just about us. It shifts our focus outward and helps us see the needs of those around us. This collective service not only benefits others but also strengthens our bonds and deepens our sense of purpose. When we serve together, we experience the joy of making a difference in the lives of others and grow closer as a community. [21:22]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: Reflect on your current involvement in serving others. How can you collaborate with your community to address a specific need? What steps can you take to make service a regular part of your life?

Day 5: Saying Yes to Small Groups

Joining a small group is crucial for deep, meaningful connections. It's in these intimate settings that we truly get to know one another, support each other, and grow together. Life is unpredictable, and having a support system in place is essential for navigating its ups and downs. Small groups provide a safe space for vulnerability, accountability, and spiritual growth, helping us build lasting relationships that strengthen our faith. [23:45]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Consider your current level of involvement in small groups. What steps can you take to join or start a small group? How can you contribute to creating a supportive and nurturing environment within your group?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to welcome you to North Star Church. Today, we continue our Playmaker series, focusing on the importance of community and doing life together. Last week, we discussed how Paul saw potential in Timothy and called it out, making him a Playmaker. Today, we shift our focus to the significance of groups and the necessity of not doing life alone.

We began by reflecting on the Olympics, where athletes achieve greatness through teamwork and support. This serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Jesus, though fully capable of doing His ministry alone, chose to surround Himself with a group of disciples. This choice was not for His benefit but for theirs, and by extension, for ours. Jesus knew that His ministry would be short-lived, but the impact would be long-lasting through the disciples He mentored.

In Luke 6, we see Jesus selecting His twelve apostles from a larger group of followers. These men, from diverse backgrounds, learned and grew together under Jesus' teaching. They were better together, learning the Word of God, recharging, and serving with one another. This model of community is essential for us today.

We need to learn the Word of God with other believers because it enriches our understanding and provides different perspectives. We also need to recharge with others because life is tough, and we need support to keep going. Serving together helps us remember that life is not just about us but about others. Finally, we must say yes to the opportunity of joining a small group. It's in these smaller, more intimate settings that we truly connect, grow, and support one another.

Jesus modeled this for us, and if He needed community, so do we. Life is unpredictable, and having a support system in place is crucial for navigating its challenges. So, I encourage you to take that step today and join a group. You were not created to do life alone.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Necessity of Community: Jesus, though fully capable, chose to do life with others. This was not for His benefit but for theirs and ours. His choice underscores the importance of community in our spiritual journey. We are better together, learning and growing in ways we couldn't achieve alone. [05:40]
2. Learning Together: Engaging with the Word of God in a group setting enriches our understanding. Different perspectives and insights from fellow believers can deepen our faith and broaden our spiritual horizons. This collective learning makes us better equipped to face life's challenges. [12:46]
3. Recharging with Others: Life is tough, and we all face moments of exhaustion and discouragement. Having a community to recharge with can make all the difference. Whether it's dealing with personal struggles or family issues, being surrounded by supportive believers can provide the strength and encouragement we need to keep going. [17:52]
4. Serving Together: Serving with others reminds us that life is not just about us. It shifts our focus outward and helps us see the needs of those around us. This collective service not only benefits others but also strengthens our bonds and deepens our sense of purpose. [21:22]
5. Saying Yes to Small Groups: Joining a small group is crucial for deep, meaningful connections. It's in these intimate settings that we truly get to know one another, support each other, and grow together. Life is unpredictable, and having a support system in place is essential for navigating its ups and downs. [23:45]
### [23:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Exciting Times and Construction Updates
[01:06] - Introduction to Playmaker Series
[01:50] - Importance of Groups
[02:25] - QR Code for Group Sign-Up
[02:57] - Olympic Teamwork Analogy
[04:04] - Definition of a Playmaker
[05:40] - Jesus' Choice of Disciples
[07:03] - The Twelve Apostles
[09:18] - God's Design for Community
[10:31] - Learning the Word Together
[12:46] - Diverse Backgrounds of Disciples
[17:52] - Recharging with Others
[20:31] - Serving Together
[21:22] - Jesus' Model of Service
[23:45] - Importance of Small Groups
[25:24] - The Danger of Isolation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of Jesus choosing twelve apostles from a larger group of followers? (Luke 6:12-16)
How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of community through His actions and choices? [05:40]
What were the different backgrounds of the disciples, and how did this diversity contribute to their learning and growth? [12:46]
How did Jesus and His disciples handle the situation when the crowd needed to be fed? (Matthew 14:15-16)

Interpretation Questions

Why did Jesus choose to surround Himself with a group of disciples even though He was fully capable of doing His ministry alone? [05:40]
How does learning the Word of God in a group setting enrich our understanding compared to studying alone? [12:46]
In what ways can recharging with others provide the strength and encouragement needed to face life's challenges? [17:52]
How does serving together with others shift our focus outward and help us see the needs of those around us? [21:22]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt isolated. How might being part of a small group have changed that experience? [25:24]
What steps can you take to join or form a small group that focuses on learning the Word of God together? [12:46]
Identify a personal struggle you are currently facing. How can a supportive community help you navigate this challenge? [17:52]
Think of a recent opportunity you had to serve others. How did it impact your perspective on life and community? [21:22]
How can you make time in your busy schedule to recharge with fellow believers? What practical steps can you take this week? [20:31]
Consider the diverse backgrounds of the disciples. How can you embrace and learn from the diversity within your own small group? [12:46]
What is one specific action you can take this week to say yes to the opportunity of joining a small group? [23:45]

Sermon Clips

1. "You were not created to do life alone. You just weren't." [02:25] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "A playmaker is not always the best player. A playmaker is somebody who knows the game and always puts themselves in the right spot. A playmaker is not necessarily the person you're going to remember, but they're the person who puts themselves in a position to win." [04:04] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God desires something for you. You may not even desire yet. You may not even understand yet, but he wants to get you in the right spot, in the right time and in the right place for something you may not even know." [04:42] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The perfect son of God chose fallible human beings to do life alongside. Why? Because he knew they would need it later. He didn't need it. They need it. He didn't need it. He needed it." [05:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus put his 12 together. They were going to need each other and there was going to be a season. He was going to need them." [08:00] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Playmakers learn the, learn the word of God with other believers. Can you choose to learn the word of God all by yourself? Yes or no? Yes, of course. And we give you resources, dig in deeper. You need to do it every day. Here's the problem. The problem is all I get is what I know. I don't have the benefit of what other believers may know." [11:50] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When you get around people and you learn their story, how much better you get. Listen to me. They need you and you need them." [14:55] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You need people to recharge with. Listen to me, or you're going to quit. You're not going to want to come out of halftime. You're going to go in and go, I can't do this. You need people to do life with." [17:52] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If Jesus needed people around him, you do too. Worst night of Jesus's life was the Garden of Gethsemane. And he took three guys with him. He didn't go by himself. He took three. And if he needed it, I need it. And if I need it, you need it. We all need it." [20:31] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "It's more dangerous alone than it is with a team. It's more dangerous by yourself, sir. It's more dangerous for you out there when you isolate yourself. And as we get older, we isolate ourselves as guys. It's a fact. It's weird. It's like, no, no, no. I got it, man. No, you don't. It's tough." [25:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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