Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Where is the healthy middle ground between being vulnerable in discipleship with someone in your church community, but not completely relying on that person for the growth of your faith?
Where is the balance?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
There is a season for everything. There are times in our lives that we will need to lean heavily on our community and on the discipleship relationship.
How can I be vulnerable in discipleship but own my faith?
James 5:16
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
Being vulnerable with another Cristian is biblical. God created community so we could become better together.
Galatians 6:1-2
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
This passage gives a glimpse of why we need each other. We are here to keep one another accountable for our actions and to make sure we are living a life worthy of Christ.
How do I get help with depression and feeling hopeless?
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
God does not want us to be weary or burdened. He wants us to find rest.
In Hebrew, the word peace means to be complete or to be sound.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Satan will try to separate us from our pack, but God created us for community. We are stronger together.
Life group and discipleship are an important part of life at Living Faith. We read these verses every week at life group.
Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Life group and discipleship are places for us to be vulnerable with each other and a place for us to pray for one another. A place for us to experience real community. A place for us to stand together as a pack to fend off the lions.
