What does the Bible say about community?

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” — Ephesians 4:16 NIV

No matter where you are in life or on your faith journey, there is something you could learn from someone else. We never stop learning, growing or needing one another. Community is a large part of the Christian faith, and the Bible has a lot to say on the subject.

God desires that we meet together in fellowship. He created us to experience community with each other and with Him. Here are just a few verses to highlight and spend some time exploring:

Proverbs 27:17

Psalm 133:1-3

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Matthew 18:20

Acts 2:42-47

Hebrews 10:24-25

Galatians 6:2

Colossians 3:13

1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:25-27

Romans 12:4-5

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Philippians 2:3-16

1 Peter 4:8-11

There is an exodus right now of people who are disillusioned with the traditional American church. I get it; I really do. As a group, there is a perception that we have sold our soul to political agendas, platforms and power when in reality there is only one message we should be sharing and exemplifying with our life, and that is Jesus. The exodus is happening for a reason. The sad part is, though, that those who are leaving are giving up so much and those who are staying are losing just as much. You and I were called to live in fellowship, in community, in peace and in love. We were called to grow and build one another up. We were called to show the world what it looks like to work out our differences and love one another.

Jesus left His disciples with the mission to build the church. The closest thing you and I will get to Jesus before He returns to take us to heaven is that we gather as the body and then scatter into the culture to be salt and light. We come together to be reminded that Jesus is God and that He called us to love one another and spread that love out into the world.

All of that talk about being the body — here’s the thing: You cannot be a body on your own. A hand can not do the work without the strength of the arm behind it or the power of the heart pumping through it. The hand cannot go where it needs to be without the feet, see what it needs to do without the eyes … you get the idea. We are stronger and better when we work together. From the very beginning, in Genesis 2:18, God said that it is not good for a person to walk through this life alone.

At Centerpoint, we are breaking down every barrier that keeps people from the love of God. We don’t shy away from the hard questions. No matter where you are in your faith journey, you are welcome to join us! Atheist, agnostic or Jesus-follower, there is a seat for you at our table.