Biblical Community

I have found myself in the midst of a home group trying to do life together. We only meet once a week, but in that time we hold onto this core value of being a biblical community: “We were created to need each other, to exhort one another, avoid isolation, to be consistent and authentic. A biblical community is a place to confess sin and to share joys and sorrows. We are all hear and all bring something different to the table.” I have been part of communities of various kinds over various times. One of the reasons I moved into the dorms on campus was because I knew I needed that community. After spending the past year with a group of people serving in southern Africa and seeking after the Lord together.

As I have mentioned, last semester was pretty rough trying to re-enter, adjust to school again, and seeking after this biblical community I have missed. After spending last semester in what seemed like a big mud pit, I decided to try and drag myself out of it. Of course this means that absolutely nothing I do will get me out. I chose to live in isolation and to avoid a consistent and authentic relationship. I avoided being real and vulnerable to those around me because I was afraid to begin a relationship that I knew would be ending by the time I return to Swaziland.

I decided to find a home group. At the time I was merely looking for one that was somewhat close to campus since I am unemployed. Even though I have only spent two weeks with this group of people, I feel that the Lord has brought us all together to be biblical community. He has brought us together to share our joys and sorrows, to confess our sins and to exhort one another. I can’t say that I’m excited about all that a biblical community entails, but I’m definitely ready to get out of this mud I keep swimming in. I am excited about this opportunity to be challenged and to live in community with a group of strangers.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Ephesians 4:25