Topic: To Grow Spiritually, You Need Community[RICK WARREN Devotional 12 SEPTEMBER 2024]
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To Grow Spiritually, You Need Community
by Rick Warren — September 12, 2024
From 40 Days of Prayer
“I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.”
Romans 1:12 (NCV)
You cannot grow to spiritual maturity by yourself. You can try it, but you’re going to be lonely, weak, and spiritually stunted. But the more you involve other people in your life who are strong in the Lord, the more you will grow in spiritual maturity.
Spiritual growth is relational. We’re better together!
The Bible says, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (Romans 1:12 NCV).
There are 56 “one another” commands in the Bible that you cannot obey unless you’re in a small group. Love one another. Care for one another. Help one another. Encourage one another. Pray for one another. Share with one another.
God wired you so that you have to be connected in his family in order to grow.
The number one thing God wants you to learn in life is how to love him and other people. The very reason you might not want to be in a small group is the very reason you need to be in a small group. You might think, “But there might be some people who disagree with me or people who are irritable.” You need those people! You need people in your life who think differently from you, who challenge your self-centeredness, and who teach you to be generous and think of others.
Some people never grow up. They’re stuck thinking it’s all about “me”—“my” schedule, needs, problems, and priorities. Often, those are the people who refuse to open themselves up to being in community. But if the whole point of life is to learn to love, then you’ve got to push yourself out of your comfort zone and into a group of people who will support and encourage you to fulfill your purpose.
We only grow in community.
“Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more” (Hebrews 10:24-25 GNT).
Talk It Over
- Has something been keeping you from being part of a small group? How does this reveal your need for authentic, biblical community?
- If it’s not possible for you to join a small group, what are some other ways you can be intentional about creating community with other Christians to help you grow?
- How did Jesus model the importance of living in community with God’s family?
God wants you in his forever family.
No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.
Trust in God’s character and the grace he extends. Confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Claim the promise of Jesus, that salvation is free and open to anyone who turns from their sins and agrees to follow him as their Lord and Savior. Humbly ask God to accept you into his forever family.
Are you ready? Start with this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.
“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.
“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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