40 Posts in 40 Days | Day 19

Cultivating Community
Originally Written September 4, 2009
Today I read Luke 9-12

Point to Ponder:

• Community requires commitment.
  

Question to Consider:

• How could I help cultivate the characteristics of real community in my small group and church?
  

Again, I feel as though Quest and my Life Group are leading the way with today's reading. Point by point:

1. Be honest. This has actually been discussed previously, with the passage about the aggressive authenticity of my group experience.

2. Be humble. I've certainly tried my best to bring this to group myself. I know that as a seeker, I'm coming to LG as a bit of an outsider. I therefore don't exhibit (at least, I hope I don't) an overconfidence in all things religion.

3. Be courteous. Well, this one is pretty self-explanatory. We're a pretty easygoing group overall, and I think I think it's pretty easy for everyone to get heard who wants to be.

4. Be confidential.

5. Meet regularly.

Those two don't even require elucidation on my part.

I realize there are more things involved with those five areas than the surface material I've shared, but the bottom line remains that I'm happy and humbled to be a part of such an incredible group of guys.

Certainly, not all of LG is easy or even pleasant. Still, though, I feel we have a great enough command of the basics that we have a successful group.

I know experiencing Life Group firsthand has been an amazing experience for me, and one that has taken me to places I never even knew existed.

I've shared a great deal with my LG guys, and they've all shared things with me. I see a long-standing arrangement whereby we'll be able to "do life together" for a long time to come. I'm looking forward to having such a great group behind me!