Christian Community: 9 Practices

Christian Community:

9 Practices

Over the summer, we have looked at nine different practices of the Christian Community found in Scripture.  I sincerely hope you've been able to look up the Scripture passages and answer the application questions.  More than anything, I hope you have gone and done them, putting them into practice in our Christian community.  If not, or you've missed some of the Church Addresses, I've listed the practices below:

  • Practice 1 - affirming one another’s strengths, abilities, and gifts
    (Romans 12:10, James 5:9, Romans 12:3-8)

  • Practice 2 - affirming one another’s equal importance in Christ
    (Romans 15:7, 1 Corinthians 12:25, 1 Peter 5:5, James 2:1)

  • Practice 3 - affirming one another through visible affection
    (Romans 16:16, James 1:19, Ephesians 4:32, 1 Thessalonians 3:12)

  • Practice 4 - sharing one another’s space, goods, and time
    (Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9, Galatians 6:10)

  • Practice 5 - sharing one another’s needs and problems
    (Galatians 6:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13)

  • Practice 6 - sharing one another’s beliefs, thinking, and spirituality
    (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 1:10)

  • Practice 7 - serving one another through accountability
    (James 5:16, Romans 15:14, Ephesians 4:25)

  • Practice 8 - serving one another through forgiveness and reconciliation
    (Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:13, Galatians 5:26, James 4:11, Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15)

  • Practice 9 - serving one another’s interests rather than our own
    (Hebrews 10:24, Romans 15:1-2, Galatians 5:13)

    Christian Community

    May these practices flow from our community created by faith through his gospel.  Members of one another united in his eternal life, may our Christ-centered community deliberately share life.

    Which of these practices do you find particularly challenging? Which practices have you experienced in our church community? Be on the lookout for individuals who practice these principles and encourage them. Have you seen someone practicing these that you could affirm?

    Together in this Christ community with you,

    Loren

Rome International Church