Community

You were not designed to do this alone. From the very beginning, God has shown us that community is central to His will and purpose for humanity. When He created Adam, God immediately declared that isolation wasn’t “good.” And throughout history, from the tribes of Israel to the church established in the New Testament, God has woven the thread of community into His redemptive plan. Relationships are not an afterthought—they are essential to how God shapes, disciplines, and grows His people.

Take the nation of Israel, for example. God didn’t call just one individual to carry out His covenant; He called a people—a community bound together by a shared promise. They worshiped, struggled, and celebrated together, learning through their unity what it meant to be set apart for God. Fast forward to the early church, and the same truth holds. Community was the heartbeat of the church’s rapid growth and resilience in the face of persecution. It wasn’t through individual heroics that the church thrived, but through shared meals, teaching, prayer, and accountability.

Simply put, you were not saved to sit in isolation. The lone-wolf approach might sound heroic in a world obsessed with independence, but it’s a one-way ticket to burnout, self-deception, or worse. God’s plan for His people has always included community—a web of relationships where you’re both encouraged and held accountable. Scripture makes it crystal clear:

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)

True community isn’t just about casserole dishes at potlucks or polite small talk in the church lobby. It’s a space for real, gritty, and honest connection. It’s about someone who loves you enough to pull you aside when your priorities drift and say, “Hey, what’s going on? Let’s get back on track.” It’s also about the loud cheerleaders who celebrate when you’re making progress, walking faithfully, and growing in grace. That’s the kind of sharpening that stings a little but ultimately makes you stronger.

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 (NASB)

True community isn’t just about casserole dishes at potlucks or polite small talk in the church lobby. It’s a space for real, gritty, and honest connection. It’s about someone who loves you enough to pull you aside when your priorities drift and say, “Hey, what’s going on? Let’s get back on track.” It’s also about the loud cheerleaders who celebrate when you’re making progress, walking faithfully, and growing in grace. That’s the kind of sharpening that stings a little but ultimately makes you stronger.

Community as God’s Design

From the very beginning, God made it clear that isolation wasn’t part of the blueprint for humanity. When God created Adam, He said:

“It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18 (NASB)

While this verse specifically refers to marriage, it speaks to a broader truth: humanity thrives in relationship, not in solitude. God didn’t intend for us to face life’s challenges or celebrate life’s victories in isolation.

The early church modeled this beautifully:

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42 (NASB)

Notice the pattern—fellowship wasn’t optional. It was woven into their everyday rhythms, forming a support system that nourished their faith and strengthened their resolve in times of persecution.

Accountability and Growth

Being part of a faith community also means submitting to loving accountability. Hebrews 10:24–25 challenges believers not to neglect meeting together, but to actively encourage one another:

“And let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB)

This isn’t just about showing up on Sunday mornings. It’s about being intentional—finding ways to inspire others to live out their faith while being willing to receive the same in return.

Bearing One Another’s Burdens

Life is heavy, and sometimes we need someone to help shoulder the load. Paul reminded the church in Galatia:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 (NASB)

This verse encapsulates the essence of true community—stepping in when someone else is too weak, too tired, or too defeated to carry the weight on their own.

A Warning About Isolation

Proverbs offers a sobering warning about those who isolate themselves:

“One who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.”
Proverbs 18:1 (NASB)

Community isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a safeguard. When you isolate yourself, you become vulnerable to unhealthy patterns, self-deception, and even spiritual attack. Satan loves an isolated target because they’re easier to pick off.

Encouragement to Build Real Community

So, if you’re trying to walk the path of faith on your own, let this be a challenge to reach out. Join a small group, reconnect with a trusted mentor, or start investing in relationships that will sharpen you and build you up. As Paul wrote:

“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.”
Romans 12:5 (NASB)

You are not alone—you’re part of something much bigger.

Additional Resources:

Books:

• The Last Christian Generation
  Josh McDowell discusses the challenges facing the modern church and the necessity of community in nurturing faith.
• They Walked with God: 40 Bible Characters Who Inspire Us
  Max Lucado explores the lives of biblical figures, illustrating the significance of relationships and community in their journeys.

These are Amazon affiliate links for these books. We use affiliate links to offset our operating costs. Using them helps us stay online. You don’t have to use these though; you can just search for the book. Happy reading!

Web Resources:

• Christian Learning Resource
  Offers a variety of materials focused on fostering community within the church and educational settings.
• General resources for Bible Students – Story Library
  Provides a comprehensive guide to Bible study resources, emphasizing the role of community in spiritual growth.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB® (New American Standard Bible®), Copyright ©, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.