Shaping Me – Community
February 5, 2023
We are shaped by the stories we believe (internal and external)
The good life doesn’t come from having the ability to do what we want but from having the ability to do what we were made for. James Smith
We are shaped by our habits
What you are getting is what is a result of what you are doing. – Andy Stanley
You will never change your life until you change something you do daily – John Maxwell
I’ve started telling people going to church is the most important thing we can do for family unity. It gives us something we all do together. Nothing else compares. Chad Tomlinson
Parents aren’t worried about who their children hang out with because they are slow learners. Fred Smith
Whoever spends the most time, wins.
We are shaped by the people we spend time with
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Wisdom rubs off
The power of community can’t be overstated
People who were not like Jesus liked Jesus, he liked them back
Matt. 26:36-38 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
When Jesus needed the most help he spent time with those most like him
Proverbs 18:24 There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Not every friend can be that close, but every person needs friends that close
Levels of friendship:
Acquaintances (general information)
Casual Friendship (things in common)
Close Friendship (going in same life direction)
Amos 3:3 Can two people walk together unless they agree?
Those who shape us most are headed in the same life direction
Being Real
If someone knew the real me, they wouldn’t want to know me
James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
You can not follow Jesus unless you are in a group that follows Jesus
Every person should have a pretend free zone with healthy people who are headed in the same life direction
Content consumption is no substitute for community
God accepts us as we are
God loves us too much to leave us that way
Can I pray for you?