Are You Missing the Power of Real Community?
In a world that’s increasingly connected through technology yet often more isolated than ever, the longing for community is palpable. We’re all wired to belong, to feel part of something bigger than ourselves. But as we search for connection, it’s easy to look for a community that serves our own needs, leaving us disappointed when it doesn’t meet our expectations. So, what if we’ve been searching for the wrong kind of community all along? What if there’s a deeper, more powerful way to experience belonging?
Jesus shows us that true community isn’t just about finding people who are similar to us or a place where we feel comfortable. Instead, He calls us to something far richer—an authentic, Christ-centered community that transforms us from the inside out.
What’s the Difference Between Cultural and Biblical Community?
In today’s culture, community often feels like a commodity. We look for groups that fit our preferences, where we can feel like we belong and benefit from what’s offered. But cultural community is centered on self. It’s easy to hear people say, “I just couldn’t find the right group” or “That church didn’t have what I was looking for.” In contrast, Jesus calls us to a biblical community—one that doesn’t revolve around our needs but around Him. In this type of community, we’re shaped by fellowship, prayer, and self-giving love for others, much like the early church in Acts 2.
This is the kind of community that Jesus modeled. He didn’t pick and choose based on who was like Him. He gathered people from all walks of life—tax collectors, sinners, zealots, and the broken—and brought them together, uniting them in their love for God and for each other. Jesus’ version of community is not just about getting our needs met but about becoming more like Him as we learn to give ourselves to others.
How the Holy Spirit Shapes Us Through Community
Living in Christ-centered community is actually a spiritual discipline. It challenges us, stretches us, and helps cut away our selfish tendencies so we can look more like Jesus. In this kind of community, we are reminded that we are not meant to do life alone. Just like the early church in Acts, the Holy Spirit works in our lives when we are connected with others who are also following Jesus.
When we’re united with others through the Holy Spirit, we grow stronger. Like the metaphor of a fishing net, which is made strong by interlocking strings, we become more resilient and purposeful when we are woven together with others in Christ. Alone, we can easily snap under the weight of life’s challenges, but together, our combined strength helps us stand firm.
Hospitality: The Heart of Christ-Like Community
A key aspect of Jesus’ community is hospitality. But it’s not just about inviting friends over for a meal. The hospitality Jesus practiced—and calls us to—goes beyond comfort zones. It’s about making room for the stranger, the outsider, and even those we might find difficult to love. Jesus didn’t just invite people who could offer Him something in return. He welcomed the lost, the broken, and those the world had cast aside.
True hospitality is a reflection of God’s love for us. While we were still strangers to His kingdom, He welcomed us with open arms. Now, we are called to extend that same grace to others. When we make space for those who are different from us, we create opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and ours, drawing everyone closer to Christ.
How Can You Build This Kind of Community?
It’s tempting to keep looking for a “perfect” community or avoid the discomfort of being around people who are different. But Jesus calls us to embrace the messiness of real, God-centered relationships. Start by asking yourself: Who is the “other” in my life that I need to make space for? Maybe it’s a neighbor, a coworker, or even someone at church that you’ve been hesitant to connect with.
This week, take a step toward building a deeper, more authentic community. Invite someone over, strike up a conversation with a stranger, or simply pray for those God places on your heart. As we practice this kind of radical hospitality, we’ll find that true community isn’t something we consume—it’s something we give ourselves to, for the glory of God and the good of others.
Conclusion: Jesus and the Holy Spirit Are the Key
Ultimately, the community Jesus offers through the Holy Spirit is life-changing. It’s a place where we’re not only cared for, but where we become part of something greater than ourselves. As we allow Jesus and the Holy Spirit to guide us, we’ll discover a deeper sense of belonging that transcends our own desires and leads us to live with purpose and power.
Let’s stop settling for shallow connections and start building the kind of Christ-centered community that Jesus calls us to—a community where love, hospitality, and transformation are at the heart of everything we do.
How do you think cultural ideas of community differ from the kind of community Jesus calls us to? Can you think of any examples in your life where you've experienced both types
In what ways can being part of a Christ-centered community shape your character and help you grow spiritually?
Jesus practiced radical hospitality by welcoming people who were very different from Him. What might it look like for you to extend hospitality to someone outside your usual circle?
Have you ever been part of a community where you felt truly supported and strengthened? What role did the Holy Spirit play in that experience?
How can we, as a group, intentionally foster a community that puts Christ at the center rather than focusing on our own preferences?