Read James 5:13-16
What does it mean to share with one another deeply? It means that we share all of our life, our story, and the things that we are going through, both good and bad. We share the reasons for our stumbles and we restore those who are repentant about having fallen into sin but also we share and then carry the burdens of one another. We do all this so that we can live in genuine community together. To be a community that builds up the church day by day, week by week, year by year becoming more like Christ as we follow the model of the early church.
Focusing in on sharing things deeply about what we are going through when you come to church and as you interact with other instead of keeping things private and shallow, when you have something going on will you share deeply what that is and ask for help in going through it?
If someone asks you how you're doing will you choose instead of saying I'm fine, to be honest and share deeply instead? If things are not going well, will you share what is going on and ask for prayer and others help with what’s going on? If things are going well, will you share with what is going on and ask for them to join you in praising the Lord for what’s going on? If there is any sin in your life and you have stumbled will you share what is going on and confess your sins to God and to one another and ask them for prayer and for help to continue to overcome your sins?
Instead of saying “I’m fine” and staying shallow, will you genuinely share what's going on with others and not only will you share with others but will you also ask deep questions to invite others to share with you and actually want to know what's been going on with others? Will you ask “what's been on your heart and mind recently” or “what can I pray for you about”?
Knowing that to live in genuine community looks like spending time in fellowship in order to know more in order to love sincerely in order to share deeply how would you answer these questions?
The first is about what you can do. #1 What does it look like for you personally to live in genuine community?
The second is about what our church can do. #2 How can we as a church live in genuine community?
If you wrote down an answer last week, add to it or change it however you see fit. We’ll be talking about these questions next week during our monthly fellowship luncheon and would love your feedback.
