At King’s Chapel, we often make the statement that we are a church of community groups rather than a church with Community Groups. That seemingly insignificant preposition actually emphasizes the importance of community. Community is not an optional add-on to the Christian life, it is an essential and vibrant element of the Christian life. And it extends beyond Sunday morning corporate worship. How else could we faithfully fulfill Scriptures mandates to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25)?
God: The Author of Community
In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness.” There is only One True God who has been revealed in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are co-equal, co-eternal and co-existing as one God but in community with each other from eternity past and eternity future. God is a God of Community. His nature is community. Part of being created in God’s image is being created for community. It is not an option, but a part of our God-given image. Before sin entered the world, God said, “it is not good for a man to be alone (Genesis 2:18).” That means that Adam was lonely not because he was imperfect but because he was perfect. The ache for relationships, community, is the one ache that is not the result of sin, that ache was a part of God’s creative perfection. God made us – created us, in such a way that we COULD NOT enjoy paradise without community. Jesus’ whole life and ministry were done in the context of community. From, His birth to His death there was community.
The Gospel: Our Means and Guide to Living in Community
Our Community Groups provide the optimal environment for the life change Jesus Christ intends for every believer. Sharing our lives causes growth in us and others. We are created and designed to grow together, to love and encourage each other, to lift each other when we fall, to experience the pains and joys of life together. The foundation of all life change is the gospel. The church exists not just to collect followers, but to transform them. Community group members affirm one another, build each other up in Christ, and help each other grow. It is a place where we share our needs, hurts, trials, and victories. Community Groups are the place where you can experience Christ’s love in an intimate way as no large gathering on Sunday could provide. It can also provide an opportunity for those who are not followers of Christ to come and ask questions and witness Christ’s love for themselves. A community where love and care are absent will look more like people waiting on an elevator than people who call themselves Christ-followers. The elevator door opens up and everyone finds the nearest corner.
The cross is a great picture of true community. The horizontal beam displays our intimacy with each other, and the vertical beam displays our intimacy with God for salvation, strength, and hope. And right in the middle is the true community. Loving God and loving each other. Growing in Christ cannot and will not happen outside of relationships.
If you are interested in joining a group or learning more about them visit https://www.kingschapel.net/communitygroups/.