Facing Life’s ChallengesSample

Facing Challenges Together

Mark 4:35-36 NIV - That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.

The Christian life is not a solo race but one that includes others journeying with you. Our text says there were other boats with him. This is a beautiful picture of not just one small group with Jesus but many small groups, all following the Master’s declaration of "let us go over to the other side." In this post-modern world many see their faith as a very personal and individual one, but Jesus encouraged groups: twos, inner circle of three, the 12 disciples, the 72, etc.

How do you think any of them would fare in the storm if they decided that they could not be encumbered by the others and would like to follow an individual course by swimming across the lake? But that is precisely what many believers do: treat their faith as deeply personal and individual. The great apostle Paul said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV 

To journey with others requires openness, transparency, and a measure of vulnerability that is not needed in an individualistic lifestyle. Yet Jesus knew that the Christian life would be much more enriching and fruitful if we did it with others. The phrase "one another" occurs 100 times in the New Testament and 59 of these occurrences are specific on how to relate with others. To not be in a "boat" with others is to miss out on the wonderful gift of fellowship that God has for us in his church.

We use the term life group to describe the small groups in our church. We say LIFE is an acronym for living in fellowship everyday. Over the 2020-21 pandemic our people have discovered the blessing of fellowship in these groups, even as they have shifted to online meetings. Will you recognize that you need to step into a boat with others? It is so much easier to face life’s challenges when you have others with you.