24/7 AthletesUzorak

REFUEL: PART 2

“…and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:19

Studying God’s Word and spending time in prayer are two important ways you can refuel your spirit daily. Like personal training, you have to do some individual hard work, but you’re not always expected to go it alone. In fact, God has given you a community as another way to stayed fueled for your new purpose in Christ.

First Century Team Up

As you’ve already learned in the previous meeting, the First Century Christians were studying scripture and praying together, but their devotion to the Lord went much further than that.

“Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts.” -- Acts 2:44-46

The spiritual fuel of community was key to the early Church’s survival. These believers had no one else to lean on. They were the cornerstones of a new faith and were about to experience persecution from all sides. They had to team up while still working towards the goal of telling the world the Good News of Jesus.

A few years later, the apostle Paul wrote about the importance of Christian community:

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.“– Hebrews 10:24-25

Fuel Up With Community

Whether you are in a team sport or compete as an individual, you can’t be successful without support from coaches, teammates, trainers, mentors, family members and friends. Likewise, community with other believers is a key to your spiritual success.

Community looks a different for the modern believer, but there are many similarities to the early Christians.

As you seek to refuel with community, you’ll want to find a local church where other believers are willing to come alongside you in your Christian walk. A church is where you can find a pastor and other Bible teachers. It’s good to find a mature believer who will mentor you and to surround yourself with as many like-minded friends and family members to encourage you to grow in your faith.

Here are some benefits to fueling up with community:

• Accountability: Be transparent and allow other believers to help you stay on the right path (James 5:16).
• Encouragement: Be open to having words of life spoken over you (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• Provision: Be willing to accept help from other believers and be ready to share your blessings in return (Galatians 6:10).
• Strength: Be ready to experience the power of strength in numbers (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
• What does community look like for you as an athlete?
• In what ways do you think community will help you refuel as a follower of Christ?

Refueling daily is important as an athlete, and even more so as a believer. Here’s a reminder of how community plays into the refueling process:

• Fuel Up with Community: Find your place where you can access accountability, encouragement, provision and strength.– 1 John 1:7

Moving forward, start thinking about what community might look like in your Christian walk. Search out a church, small group, Huddle, mentor, and like-minded friends and family members to assist you on this spiritual journey.