Rev Bill

Purpose 2 in Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life is:

You Were Formed For God’s Family

Warren begins discussing being a part of a community where real fellowship can take place — and how build this community — in day 18 — Experiencing Life Together. He continues this discussion with day 19 — Cultivating Christian Community.

Warren begins with a statement we need to be reminded of again and again: Community requires commitment.
Creating true community in a Church or small group will take God’s power,and your commitment.

Warren gives 5 things necessary for creating true community:

1. Honesty
You will have to care enough to lovingly speak the truth. True community can’t exist when difficult issues are not addressed. However, they must be addressed lovingly. It takes a certain skill to be able to speak the truth — but do so in love.

2. Humility
You will have to have a spirit of humility. Self importance and pride will kill a feeling of community faster than almost anything else!

3. Courtesy
You will have to be courteous to others and respectful of their feelings. You will probably have in the group people who irritate you. You will have to be courteous to them and respectful of their feelings. Warren writes about EGR — Extra Grace Required — people (pg. 149.) These are in every group, and need to be accepted as part of the group. This takes courtesy.

4. Confidentiality.
You will have to honor the fact that what is said and shared in the group stays in the group.

5. Frequency
You will have to be committed to frequently meeting with your group. Relationships take time to develop.

So — in day 18 and day 19 Warren gives 9 characteristics of Biblical fellowship:

1. Authenticity
2. Mutuality
3. Sympathy
4. Mercy
5. Honesty
6. Humility
7. Courtesy
8. Confidentiality
9. Frequency

Do what you can to have — or create — and maintain this type of community where true fellowship can occur!

Lord — Help me to create a community where I and others can experience the true fellowship that is Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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