Walking Together in Faith: The Power of Community
Summary
This week has been a beautiful reminder of the power of community and the importance of bringing others along on the journey of faith. Watching so many of you pour your love and energy into the lives of over 100 children at VBS was a living testimony to the way God works through His people. It’s not just about the big events or the visible moments of ministry, but about the everyday faithfulness of sharing life, faith, and even our struggles with one another. The most impactful mentors in my life have been those who invited me into the whole journey—their joys, their failures, and their ongoing need for Jesus. None of us ever outgrow our dependence on Him, and the best leaders are those who keep growing, keep learning, and keep inviting others to walk alongside them.
The stories of Elijah that we explored with the kids this week are a powerful illustration of God’s faithfulness through every twist and turn. Elijah experienced miraculous victories—fire from heaven, provision in drought, supernatural strength—but he also faced deep discouragement and loneliness. Even after witnessing God’s power, Elijah found himself in despair, reminding us that faith is not a straight line and that even the strongest among us need help and encouragement. God’s promise in Joshua 1:9, that He is with us wherever we go, is not just for the mountaintop moments but for the valleys as well.
God’s design is for us to walk together, to pass on faith and wisdom to the next generation, and to remind each other of who God is, especially when we are tempted to forget. Every relationship—whether as a parent, friend, mentor, or child—can be a place where God’s presence is made known and where faith is strengthened. When we share our stories, our doubts, and our victories, the whole church is built up. Each person, no matter their age or experience, has something unique and priceless to offer the kingdom of God. We are all, in a sense, just walking each other home, helping one another see God at work and encouraging each other to keep moving toward the wholeness He has for us.
Key Takeaways
- Authentic mentorship and community are built on sharing the whole journey, not just the highlights. Inviting others into both our victories and our struggles allows God’s grace to be seen in real time, and it teaches us that we never outgrow our need for Jesus. The best leaders are those who are honest about their ongoing transformation and who keep learning alongside those they lead. [48:50]
- The story of Elijah reminds us that even those who have witnessed God’s power firsthand can experience discouragement, loneliness, and doubt. Faith is not a one-time achievement but a continual journey, and God’s presence is steadfast through every season—joyful or painful, strong or weak. We need the whole story, not just the miracles, to understand God’s faithfulness. [55:16]
- God calls us to bring others along on the journey, even when it feels daunting or we feel inadequate. Passing on faith is not about having all the answers but about being willing to share life honestly and to invest in others, trusting that God will use our obedience to build His kingdom. Our insecurities are often the very places where God’s strength is made visible. [56:28]
- Sharing our testimonies and stories of God’s goodness is not just for the benefit of others—it strengthens our own faith as well. When we speak truth out loud, we remind ourselves of God’s character and faithfulness, and the act of testifying becomes a means of grace for both the speaker and the listener. This is the beauty and power of the church community. [58:27]
- Every person, regardless of age or experience, has a vital role in the kingdom of God. Whether through quoting scripture, worshiping wholeheartedly, encouraging a friend, or wrestling honestly with doubt, each contribution makes the church stronger. We are all called to walk each other home, helping one another see God at work and moving together toward the fullness of life in Christ. [01:13:11]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Celebrating VBS and Volunteers
[02:10] - Introducing Pastor Sophie
[04:00] - The Power of Internships and Mentorship
[07:15] - Learning from Real-Life Journeys
[08:50] - The Ever-Present Need for Jesus
[10:30] - VBS Theme: God Is With Us
[12:00] - Stories of Elijah: Miracles and Faith
[15:00] - Elijah’s Discouragement and Humanity
[17:00] - God’s Call to Bring Others Along
[19:00] - Passing Faith to the Next Generation
[21:00] - The Strength of Testimony
[23:00] - The Beauty of Church Community
[25:00] - Walking Each Other Home
[27:00] - Benediction and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
- 1 Kings 17–19 (selected stories of Elijah)
(Elijah and the widow at Zarephath, Mount Carmel, Elijah’s discouragement in the wilderness, and God’s call to anoint Elisha)
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Joshua 1:9, what is God’s promise to His people as they face new challenges or journeys?
2. In the stories of Elijah, what are some of the miracles God performed, and how did Elijah respond to them? [52:36]
3. After experiencing God’s power, what struggles did Elijah face, and how did he express his feelings to God? [55:16]
4. What was the theme verse for VBS this week, and why was it chosen? [51:11]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God repeatedly reminds His people that He is with them, even after they have seen miracles? What does this say about human nature and faith? [55:16]
2. The sermon mentioned that the best mentors are those who share both their victories and struggles. Why might this kind of honesty be important in Christian community? [48:50]
3. Elijah was called to bring Elisha along on the journey, even though it might have felt daunting. What does this teach us about passing on faith and leadership? [56:28]
4. How does sharing testimonies and stories of God’s faithfulness strengthen both the speaker and the listener? [58:27]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt alone or discouraged in your faith. Did you reach out to someone, or did someone reach out to you? How did that impact your journey? [55:16]
2. The sermon talked about inviting others into the “whole journey”—not just the highlights. Is there someone in your life you could be more honest with about your struggles or joys? What’s one step you could take this week to share more authentically? [48:50]
3. Elijah’s story shows that even strong believers can feel weak or discouraged. How do you usually respond when you feel spiritually low? What would it look like to invite someone to walk with you during those times? [55:16]
4. Who has been a mentor or encourager in your faith journey? What did they do that made a difference for you? Is there someone you could encourage or mentor in a similar way? [56:28]
5. The sermon said, “We are all just walking each other home.” Who are you intentionally bringing along on your journey with Jesus right now? Is there someone God might be prompting you to invest in or learn from? [01:13:11]
6. When was the last time you shared a story of God’s goodness with someone? How did it affect your faith or theirs? Is there a story you could share this week? [58:27]
7. Every person, no matter their age or experience, has something to offer the church. What is one way you can contribute to building up the church community this month—through encouragement, sharing scripture, worship, or honest conversation? [01:13:11]
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Closing Thought:
Remember, God’s presence is not just for the mountaintop moments but for the valleys too. As we walk together, sharing our stories and our lives, we help each other see God at work and move toward the wholeness He has for us.
Devotional
Day 1: God is with us wherever we go
No matter where life takes you—through joy, suffering, loneliness, or strength—God promises to be present with you on every twist and turn of your journey. This steadfast presence is not dependent on your circumstances or feelings; it is a truth you can cling to, even when faith feels challenging or when you are tempted to forget His faithfulness. Let your heart be rooted in the assurance that you are never alone, and that God’s faithfulness endures through every season of life. [51:11]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Where in your life do you most need to remember that God is with you right now, and how might you act differently today if you truly believed He was present in that situation?
Day 2: God’s power is revealed in both miracles and weakness
God’s power is not only seen in dramatic miracles, like fire from heaven or provision in drought, but also in moments of discouragement, weakness, and even despair. Even faithful people like Elijah experienced fear, loneliness, and hopelessness after witnessing God’s wonders, reminding us that faith is a journey with highs and lows. In both strength and weakness, God remains the same, inviting you to bring your whole self—joys and struggles—into His presence, trusting that He is at work in every part of your story. [55:16]
1 Kings 19:3-5 (ESV)
"Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.' And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, 'Arise and eat.'"
Reflection: When have you felt discouraged or weak even after seeing God work in your life, and how can you invite Him into those moments today?
Day 3: Passing on faith is a sacred responsibility
God calls each generation to share stories of His faithfulness and to bring others along on the journey of faith, not just for their sake but for the strengthening of the whole community. Whether you feel qualified or not, you have a unique role in testifying to God’s goodness and investing in the lives of others, especially the next generation. Sharing your real experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—helps others remember who God is and strengthens your own faith as well. [57:09]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: Who in your life could you intentionally share a story of God’s faithfulness with this week, and what would it look like to bring them along on your journey?
Day 4: Community strengthens and transforms us
God designed us for community, where every relationship—whether friendship, mentorship, or family—can be a place for wisdom, encouragement, and growth. When you bring others along on your journey and allow yourself to be brought along by others, you experience the beauty of the diverse, ever-growing kingdom of God. In honest, passionate togetherness, you are positioned to see God at work, to be strengthened, and to walk toward the wholeness He desires for you. [58:27]
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 invite into your journey or someone you need to ask for help from this week, and how can you take a step toward deeper community today?
Day 5: Every person has something priceless to offer
No matter your age, background, or where you are on your journey with God, you have something marvelous and unique to contribute to the kingdom of God. Your testimony, your worship, your encouragement, and even your honest wrestling with faith all make the church stronger. As you walk with others toward your shared home in Christ, remember that your presence and participation matter deeply, and God delights in using you to bless others. [01:13:11]
1 Corinthians 12:12, 18-20 (ESV)
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ... But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."
Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts or experiences to strengthen someone else’s faith or encourage the church this week?
Quotes
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