Finding Your Community: The Heart of Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: God Speaks Through His People

God desires to guide us, and often He does so through the voices and wisdom of other believers who are walking with Him. In the early church, before the New Testament was even written, followers of Jesus gathered together, prayed, and sought the Holy Spirit’s direction as a community. God still works this way today, using “spirit-taught words” from brothers and sisters in Christ to bring clarity, encouragement, and direction. If you’re struggling to discern God’s voice, consider that He may want to speak to you through the people He’s placed in your life—especially those who love Him and seek His will. [40:46]

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."

Reflection: Who is one believer in your life you could invite into a conversation this week to help you discern God’s direction in a specific area where you need clarity?

Day 2: Putting God’s Word Into Practice Together

Spiritual growth isn’t just about learning more information—it’s about transformation that happens when we put God’s Word into action. The Bible was given not just for knowledge, but to equip us for every good work. Most of us need more than just hearing a sermon; we need others to help us discuss, process, and apply what we’ve learned. When you gather with a group of believers to talk about how to live out God’s truth, your likelihood of real change and discipleship increases dramatically. Don’t settle for just knowing the Bible—find your people and help each other live it out. [44:07]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: What is one biblical truth you’ve learned recently that you haven’t yet put into practice—and who could you invite to help you take that step this week?

Day 3: Building a Network for Life’s Needs

When life throws you a curveball—whether it’s a crisis, a need for wisdom, or just a moment when you need someone to show up—having the right people in your life makes all the difference. You don’t need just one mentor for everything; God often provides a network of friends and mentors, each with unique strengths and experiences. These relationships are usually formed in smaller groups or teams, not in large crowds. If you don’t have those contacts yet, take a step into a group or team environment and watch how God connects you with the people you’ll need for the journey ahead. [53:44]

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Reflection: Who is one person you could reach out to this week—either to ask for help in an area where you need to grow, or to offer your support to them?

Day 4: The Power of Lifelong, Accountable Friendship

Deep, lasting friendships are forged over time through shared experiences, accountability, and being there for each other in both the fun and the hard moments. These relationships often begin in intentional environments like life groups, where you can truly get to know others and be known. Such friends will celebrate with you, challenge you, and even call you out when needed, but most importantly, they’ll stand by you when life gets tough. If you long for this kind of friendship, remember it starts with taking a step into community, even if it takes time to find your people. [01:00:23]

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: Is there someone you need to reconnect with or forgive to restore a friendship that could be a source of strength and accountability in your life?

Day 5: Encouragement to Not Quit

Everyone faces moments when they want to give up—on faith, on marriage, on calling, or on life itself. The difference between those who persevere and those who don’t is often the presence of someone who steps in with encouragement at just the right time. God uses the voices of friends who are for you to remind you not to quit, to believe in you, and to walk with you through the valleys. If you don’t have someone like that, take a step toward community; if you do, look for ways to be that encourager for someone else. [01:04:37]

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: Who is one person you know who might be close to giving up in some area of life—and how can you intentionally encourage them this week?

Sermon Summary

Today begins a journey into the heart of Christian community, exploring why it is essential to “find your people.” While personal devotion and corporate worship are vital, there is a third, often overlooked, component to spiritual growth: the communal aspect. This is more than just attending church or reading the Bible alone; it’s about intentionally building relationships with other believers who are also seeking God. These relationships are not optional add-ons but are foundational to how God designed us to grow in faith.

Throughout history, and especially in the New Testament, God has spoken to His people through His people. While some may long for an audible voice or a special revelation, the normative way God guides, encourages, and corrects us is through Spirit-filled conversations with fellow believers. When we gather in smaller groups—whether life groups, serving teams, or friendships—we open ourselves to the wisdom, correction, and encouragement that God wants to provide through others.

Discipleship is not measured by how much we know, but by how much we put into practice. The American church has often overemphasized personal study and large gatherings, neglecting the transformative power of community. True growth happens when we discuss, wrestle with, and apply God’s Word together. Most of us need more than just a sermon; we need dialogue, accountability, and practical help from others to live out our faith.

Having the right people in your life also means having a network to turn to in times of need—whether you need advice, support, or someone to stand with you in a crisis. These relationships don’t happen by accident; they are formed intentionally, often starting in environments like life groups or serving teams. Over time, these connections become lifelines, providing wisdom, practical help, and even laughter in the ups and downs of life.

Finally, encouragement is a gift we both give and receive in community. Everyone faces moments of doubt, discouragement, or the temptation to quit. The difference between those who persevere and those who don’t is often the presence of someone who says, “Don’t give up.” God has designed us to need each other, and He wants each of us to experience the strength, hope, and resilience that comes from walking with the right people.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s primary way of speaking and guiding is through other believers. While personal prayer and Bible reading are important, the New Testament shows that Spirit-led conversations within community are often how God brings clarity and direction. Don’t underestimate the power of a friend’s timely, Spirit-taught words in your life. [40:46]
2. Discipleship is about application, not just information. Spiritual maturity is not measured by how much Bible knowledge we accumulate, but by how much we actually live out. True learning in the New Testament sense happens when we put God’s Word into practice, and this is best accomplished in the context of community where others help us apply truth to real life. [44:07]
3. Most growth happens when we need it most, and community provides the support structure for those moments. When life throws challenges—whether in marriage, parenting, health, or finances—having a network of godly friends to call on is invaluable. These relationships are built intentionally, often starting in small groups or teams, and become a source of wisdom and strength in times of need. [51:51]
4. Deep, lasting friendships are forged through shared experiences and intentional investment. The strongest bonds often begin in environments like life groups, where vulnerability and accountability are possible. Over time, these relationships become a source of both joy and support, providing laughter in good times and steadfast presence in hard times. [59:06]
5. Encouragement is essential for perseverance, and it is found in community. Everyone faces seasons of discouragement or the desire to quit, whether in faith, marriage, or calling. The difference-maker is often a friend who steps in with timely encouragement, reminding us of God’s faithfulness and urging us not to give up. Surrounding yourself with such people is not just helpful—it’s vital. [63:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:12] - Introduction to “Find Your People” Series
[04:30] - The Three Components of Spiritual Growth
[08:45] - The Overlooked Power of Community
[13:20] - Why Community Matters for Believers
[18:05] - What You Miss Without “Your People”
[31:58] - Guidance to Hear God’s Voice
[34:01] - The “Bad Drawing” and Hearing God
[37:40] - The Role of Discipline and Community
[40:46] - Spirit-Taught Words in Community
[43:00] - Discipleship: Application Over Information
[46:48] - How Groups Help Us Grow
[50:01] - The Value of a Network in Times of Need
[53:44] - Building Lifelong Friendships
[59:06] - The Power of Shared Stories
[61:36] - Encouragement to Not Quit
[65:52] - Taking the Next Step and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV) — > Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) — > All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, what is the source of the words and wisdom that believers share with each other?
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the different ways Scripture is described as being useful for believers?
The sermon described three components of spiritual growth: personal devotion, corporate worship, and community. Which one did the pastor say is often overlooked in the American church? [[13:20]]
What is the difference between learning about the Bible and actually putting it into practice, according to the sermon? [[44:07]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that spiritual truths are taught by the Spirit and not by human wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:12-13? How does this relate to the way God speaks through other believers? [[40:46]]
The sermon said that discipleship is measured by application, not just information. Why do you think it’s so easy to focus on learning facts about the Bible instead of living them out? [[44:07]]
The pastor mentioned that most people need more than just a sermon to grow—they need dialogue, accountability, and practical help. Why do you think discussing and applying God’s Word in community is so much more effective than just listening to a sermon? [[46:48]]
The sermon shared that encouragement from others is often the difference between giving up and persevering. Why is encouragement from fellow believers so powerful during hard times? [[01:03:39]]

Application Questions

The sermon said that God’s primary way of speaking and guiding is through other believers. Can you think of a time when God used someone else’s words to give you clarity or direction? How did that experience impact you? [[40:46]]
The pastor shared that only a small percentage of people can hear a sermon and immediately put it into practice, but most of us need discussion and accountability. What is one area of your life where you need help from others to live out your faith? [[46:48]]
The message talked about having a “network” of godly friends to call on in times of need. Who are the people you would reach out to in a crisis? If you don’t have those people, what step could you take to start building those relationships? [[51:51]]
The pastor told a story about a friendship that started in a life group and became a source of both laughter and support through the years. What are some ways you can be intentional about forming deeper friendships with other believers? [[59:06]]
Everyone faces moments of discouragement or the temptation to quit. Who in your life encourages you to keep going when things get tough? How can you be that encourager for someone else this week? [[01:03:39]]
The sermon challenged us to not just attend church, but to find “our people” and invest in community. What is one practical step you can take this month to move from just attending to truly connecting with others in the church? [[01:04:37]]
The pastor mentioned that sometimes we let petty things get in the way of important relationships. Is there a friendship you need to mend or invest in again? What would it look like to take the first step? [[01:05:52]]

Sermon Clips

There's a communal component to my relationship with Jesus. And I chose the word communal because it's all -encompassing. It could mean, quite simply, that you have a friend, a good friend, who walks with Jesus. You walk with Jesus, and together y 'all help each other walk with Jesus. That's a very normal thing. It might be like a one -on -one, or maybe you got a couple of friends that you do that with. It could also be like a group setting. [00:28:55] (23 seconds) #WalkingTogetherInFaith

I think as preachers, sometimes we make the mistake of telling people, here's what the Bible says you should do, or here's what the Bible says you shouldn't do. And sometimes we forget to tell you why. Like, why would God say that you should do this? Or why would God say you don't do this? I mean, why should we even spend time finding our people? And sometimes the best way to figure that out is to point out what you'd be missing if you don't have it. [00:31:09] (26 seconds) #WhyWeFollow

God wants to speak to you. Might I suggest he wants to do that through the people you surround yourself with who love the Lord. If you don't have those people, part of what we're trying to do in this series is help point you in that direction so that you can find them and get that clarity, see, am I really hearing God's voice, and what's the answer he's trying to give me, and might he be doing that through the Holy Spirit through another brother or sister in Christ? [00:41:10] (23 seconds) #HearingGodThroughOthers

Discipleship is determined by what is put into practice, not by knowledge that is attained. I need you to let that sink in for a second. Because in our model of church, again, just making observations, our model of church here in America for about the last 50 to 75 years, I would say that in most churches, unintentionally, discipleship got framed more as the knowledge you are attaining than what you are putting into practice. [00:42:50] (30 seconds) #DiscipleshipInAction

Teaching then, preaching, the goal, what are we doing right now, of a teaching environment is to motivate or pass along information and challenge everyone to put it into practice. That's the goal. So whether it's me preaching, Nick preaching, Abby preaching, bringing a guest preacher, we're not making this up. We're passing along God's Word. We're doing it in a way to encourage you, motivate you, challenge you to put it into practice. Preaching hasn't started until a challenge has been issued. [00:44:43] (28 seconds) #PreachingChallengesAction

When I hit a wall in life and I need to know something or I need to grow in a particular area of my life, very seldom do I go find one of those studies. What I often do is look at my phone. Who do I know that I could text or call? Is there somebody, maybe it's a health issue that I know. Maybe it's a parenting issue. Maybe it's a marriage issue. Maybe it's a financial issue. [00:50:57] (24 seconds) #MultipleMentorsMatter

There's probably not one person in your life that can supply all of those things for you. Why not have multiple mentors? Why not have somebody who mentors you in relationships? Somebody who mentors you in finances? Someone who mentors you in health? Someone who mentors you in future planning for retirement? You can find multiple people to help mentor you in your life if you have the right people around you. [00:51:30] (22 seconds) #BuildingSupportiveConnections

Encouragement from someone who is for you to not quit. I don't have to tell you this. Most people in life are not for you. They're actually working against you. You've got to have people in your life who are for you. You've got to have people in your life who will encourage you. [01:02:23] (17 seconds) #RealFaithRealPeople

Anybody you look at, who you think that person's resilient. That person's been through so much. That person didn't quit. Can I tell you why that person didn't quit? Can I tell you why that person's resilient? Because they had somebody else in their life giving them encouragement. That's somebody else giving them encouragement. [01:02:41] (23 seconds) #FindYourPeople

I could take you to significant points in my life where I was ready to quit. I could take you to the day I was fairly certain I wasn't going to be a pastor anymore. It's just too hard. It's just too hard. And if not for a friend saying, don't quit, I would have quit. [01:03:09] (27 seconds)

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