Message Notes for January 19, 2025

Series: The Balanced Life

Title: Radical Community – IN

Radical Community is the life Jesus lived with His followers and the life He taught them to live with one another. 

How do we live in this radical community? 

1) With a heart of devotion!

Acts 2:42 NLT All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

2) With constant encouragement! 

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NLT Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

3) With sacrificial love.  

John 13:34-35 ESV “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

4) With a mindset that we belong to God.

John 17:10-11 ESV All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

John 15:15-16 

5) With understanding that we belong to each other. 

James 5:16 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Peter 4:9-10 ESV Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of January 19, 2025

Series: The Balanced Life

Title: Radical Community – IN

• What patterns have you and your family developed for strengthening and maturing your Christian Walk? Share with each other what has worked best and what hasn’t worked as well and explain why.
• Why do you think Jesus started Christian Community with His disciples and taught them to multiply it around the world?
• Read 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11.  What does the writer, Paul, want this Christian Community to understand?  What does he encourage them to do?  What might this look like for you in today’s world? 
• Read Acts 2:42. This section of the Bible demonstrates the patterns of early Christians.  Which of these patterns are a part of your life?  What could you do to include them or make them stronger?  How would these patterns help you live out your Christian faith every day?  How could living this help you in decision making, hard times or even great times?
• Read John 17:10-11.  What stands out to you the most in this passage? Are there any surprises?  What is Jesus saying and what is He praying?
• Read James 5: 13-20.  What is this passage saying about Christian Community?  What are the promises?  How can you be more intentional in helping someone else grow in faith? What is the role of confession in spiritual growth?  How does prayer for each other increase a sense of     community?   
• Reflect on the following statements.  Which of these are true in your life and family?  What plan could you put in place to make them reality? 

⇒ I am living in community with other Christians who help me grow in Christ.

⇒ My devotional and prayer life with my family is consistent.

⇒ I enjoy encouraging and building up others.

⇒ I am praying for and with others.

⇒ I look for opportunities to invest in the lives of others for their good.

⇒ I seek advice from other Christians on important decisions

⇒ I have no problem reconciling broken relationships.

⇒ My forgiveness is quick and my judgement slow.