Why We GatherSample

A Favorable People: 

Are you a fan of sitcoms? There is a good chance you’ve enjoyed a few. Think of Seinfeld, Friends, or The Office. Sitcoms are great because they’re funny, but also because they require less commitment than more complicated shows. You can start watching a sitcom somewhere in the middle or miss a few episodes and still figure out what is happening pretty easily. But I think there is another reason we love sitcoms so much. It’s because the people and the relationships feel real enough that we get invested in them. Every sitcom has a group of friends, or a family that we wish we could be part of. Every sitcom has a couple we route for. We want to belong together as much as our favorite characters belong together.

A great community is one comprised of individuals that gather together to share all things in common. Despite their differences, individuals in community commit to a common cause and values. They share their lives together with glad and generous hearts. This is why a great community grows in favor with those who observe it. Just like the community in your favorite sitcom grows in favor with you, the Church community should grow in favor with those who observe it. People should want to be part of the Church family the way they want to be friends with the friends from Friends. A mouthful, I know. 

We began this study with Acts 2:42-47. Read it again:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the community, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47; ESV).”

We gather because, in many ways, we need it. Gathering helps us commit to the true gospel. It helps us to experience the transformative power of worship, prayer, and encouragement. But we also gather because the world needs us to gather. The world needs to see how amazing the community of Christ truly is, and by its example, be drawn into the family of God.

Once again, while circumstances can undeniably alter the way we gather for worship, it cannot change our value for community. No matter what inconveniences may interrupt our gathering, we must not neglect to meet. And as we commit to gathering for worship, may we grow to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, and may we not forget that there are others waiting to join a family like ours (Eph 4:12-13: ESV). 

Reflect:

With your group, discuss your value for gathering. Take some time to discuss what you want your gathering to look like.

Respond:

Set a date for your group to come together soon. See how many of the elements we’ve reviewed you can incorporate into you gathering.