Galatians 6:10 (NLT) 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Join the family. God has given us both a need & a place for community. 1 Peter 2:10 (NLT) “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” God, at full cost to himself, adopts us out of isolation & into a new family. Galatians 4:5–7 (NLT) 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Acts 20:28 (NLT) 28…his church, purchased with his own blood… Make every . God re-establishes your human unity in Jesus, but you have to maintain it & make every effort to stay together. Ephesians 4:2–3 (NLT) 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Obstacles to Community Unity? (TONY MERIDA) Sensationalism. Mysticism. Idealism. Individualism. 2 John 12 (NLT): 12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. What now? Upgrade your concept of the church from ‘a place’ to ‘a people’. Remember how unwise or unsafe it is to be apart from the accountability and oversight of your faith family & pastoral leaders. Tell yourself the truth about what holds you back from immersing yourself in a church community. Pray for your church regularly. Continuing The Conversation 1. What might help you start thinking of the church as a ‘family of people’ instead of ‘a place to go’ on Sunday? 2. In your opinion (or experience) why isn’t it wise or safe to be apart from the accountability and oversight of the church & pastoral leaders who will give an account to God (Hebrews 13:17)? 3. If you told yourself the truth about what hinders you from more fully immersing yourself in your church family, are any of these obstacles responsible? a. Sensationalism. b. Mysticism. c. Idealism. d. Individualism. 4. What could we pray for when praying for our church regularly?