Session 10 | Surround Myself with Accountable Biblical Community Big Ideas: · The Danger of Isolation. · God created us for and commands us to live in community. "We enjoy the idea of having a sense of individuality, of being a separate me - that is until we begin to collect all of our emotional baggage that is uniquely "mine" and feel the separation of loneliness and isolation." -Anatomy of the Soul-Curt Thompson MD “Our weaknesses should remind us how much we need other people. One common problem with leaders is a bit of a paradox —they direct other people, yet they may hold on too fiercely to responsibilities they should invite others into.” Dr. Crawford Loritts-Leadership as an Identity Who do you call when you come up against something beyond your ability? Proverbs 18:1-2 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment. 2A fool has no delight in understanding but in expressing his own heart. Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. One Another In his book, The Anatomy of the Soul, Curt Thompson M.D. gives some characteristics of a healthy accountable biblical community from Paul’s admonition in First Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen. These are basic core, human needs and should be found within a biblically functioning community. · These are the processes of being known. · The experience of feeling felt. · The encounter of being validated but never coddled. · Being cared for but not overwhelmed or patronized. · Being fully understood while called into proper risk-taking adventure. · Being healed and awakened to growth, compassion, and responsibility. In the New Testament, the term "one another" is referenced over one hundred times in direct relation to biblical community. Nearly every person that I have known that got to a place of hopelessness in their life had a lack of accountable, Christian community. John 17:21-23 . . . that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 1 Peter 2:9, 10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Jesus, the head of the church, prayed to God the Father that you and I would be one in them and with each other. This word we translate “church” is from the Greek word Ecclēsia. From what I could find in research, the King James Version of the Bible uses the word “church” 100 plus times to identify the body of Christ. Ecclēsia-“called out ones; an assembly or a congregation.” “a select civil body called out for a specific purpose.” Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. John 13:34, 35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 15:15, 16 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. Koinōnia vs. Simple Gatherings 1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. When we talk about biblical community, it is so much more than simply gathering once a week to worship God together. Koinōnia- “fellowship, communion, joint participation, contribution, sharing, community.” Acts 2:41, 42 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:43-47 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Hebrews 10:24, 25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Authenticity Authenticity-genuine transparency, not false or copied; genuine; real. 2 Corinthians 6:11 . . . we have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. The Power of Confession James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Take Away: Question: What do you think you could accomplish in your life if you lived in authenticity and transparency? How much of your emotional struggles could be helped by being in a safe, biblical community? Question: Do you have a safe place to fall, heal, grow, be empowered, and simply be who God created you to be? If not, what steps do you need to take to invest in this? Action: If you do not have a safe biblical community, make that your prayerful first step. If you do have a safe biblical community, prayerfully ask God to help you navigate how you can lean into greater depth.