Be Like Jesus: Staying COMMUNITY (Def) Living in meaningful relationships where spiritual formation happens together instead of alone. 1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? Big Idea Spiritual growth happens when we learn to stay in committed relationships long enough for Jesus to expose us, transform us, and teach us to love. STAY TOGETHER TO GROW. In biblical community… Staying will & you. 1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? When one of you says, ‘I am a follower of Paul,’ and another says, ‘I follow Apollos,’ aren’t you acting just like people of the world? Staying test & you. Skill #1 – Learn to deal with conflict. Skill #2 – Learn to forgive. Staying will require power. What Now? Take your next step. Choose to stay. Choose to forgive.