Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life; Section 19

Cultivating
Community
Section 19 (pages 145-151)

Thursday 7 October 2010

You can develop a healthy, robust community
that lives right with God and enjoy its results
only if you do the hard work of getting along
with each other, treating each other with dignity
and honor.
James 3:18
They committed themselves to the teaching of the
apostles, the life together, the common meal, and
the prayers.
Acts 2:42


Community Requires Commitment


The HS creates real community - he
cultivates the choices and commitments we
make - God’s power and our commitment
make community.
Most of us grow up surrounded by
unhealthy relationships - we need to learn
new ways in God of relating


Although I hope to come to
you soon, I am writing you
these instructions so that, if I
am delayed, you will know
how people ought to conduct
themselves in God's
household, which is the
church of the living God, the
pillar and foundation of the
truth.
1 Tim 3:14-15


“If you’re tired of fake
fellowship and would like to
cultivate real fellowship and
a loving community in your
small group, Sunday school
class, and church, you’ll
need to make some tough
choices and take some risks”
Rick Warren (p146)


Cultivating community
takes honesty

Do you care enough to lovingly speak the
truth, or is easier to gloss over it?
Do you remain silent even if someone is in a
destructive ‘sin’?
Does fear stop you saying what needs to be
said?


Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all
things grow up into him who is the Head, that is,
Christ.
Eph 4:15
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Prov 24:26
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are
spiritual should restore him gently. But watch
yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Gal 6:1


Many church groups remain
shallow because they are afraid
of conﬂict - glossing over any
possible source of disagreement.
A false sense of peace is
preserved. The problem is
known but no one talks about it
Therefore each of you must put off
falsehood and speak truthfully to his
neighbor, for we are all members of
one body. Eph 4:25


Until you care enough to resolve difﬁculties and
barriers you will no grow close to each other.
The conﬂict must be handled properly and
maturely - this is not an excuse to say anything
wherever and whenever you want.
Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk
to him as you would your own father, and to the
younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an
older woman as you would your mother, and the
younger women as sisters.
1Tim 5:1-2


Speak to one another as loving family members.
Paul to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 5):
I'll tell you what I would do. Even though I'm not
there in person, consider me right there with you,
because I can fully see what's going on. I'm telling
you that this is wrong. You must not simply look the
other way and hope it goes away on its own. Bring it
out in the open and deal with it in the authority of
Jesus our Master.


Assemble the community—I'll be present in spirit
with you and our Master Jesus will be present in
power. Hold this man's conduct up to public
scrutiny. Let him defend it if he can! But if he can't,
then out with him! It will be totally devastating to
him, of course, and embarrassing to you. But better
devastation and embarrassment than damnation.
You want him on his feet and forgiven before the
Master on the Day of Judgment.


takes humility
Self importance, pride
What like destroy
and the practical
fellowship. Prideor
steps builds
walls - humility bridges
actions could
All of you, clothe yourselves
you take to
with humility toward one
practice
another, because,"God
humility?
opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble."


Develop humility - admit your
weakness, be patient with
others weaknesses, be open to
correction, let other people be
in the spotlight
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud, but be willing to
associate with people of low
position. Do not be conceited.
Rom 12:16


Humility is not thinking less of
yourself - it is thinking of
yourself less.
Think more of others, serve
others.


takes courtesy
Respecting our differences. Being
considerate of others feelings. Being patient
with ‘idiots’. Be more gracious with difﬁcult
people.
Titus 3:2
...to slander no one, to be peaceable and
considerate, and to show true humility toward all
men.


Do you ‘defend’ your
family in Christ?
Rom 12:10
Be devoted to one another in
brotherly love. Honor one
another above yourselves.
We can all be annoying at
times - try to understand
one another (history,
doubts, fears, anything!) -
try not to judge them


takes conﬁdentiality

Create a safe
You have a friend who is well known as a
environment -
gossip.
acceptance, trust - no
gossip - Prov 16:28,
The wife of an elder is gossip.
A troublemaker plants
seeds of strife; gossip result of gossip?
What is the
separates the best of
What should you do about it?
friends.



Create a safe
environment -
seeds of strife; gossip
friends.



Create a safe
environment -
gossip.
friends.



Create a safe
environment -
gossip.
seeds of strife; gossip result
What is the of gossip?
friends.


takes frequency

Frequent, regular contact with people builds
fellowship - it takes time and energy.
Heb 10:25
You need to be convinced that fellowship is
worth the time and energy - Acts 2:46, they
met every day at the Temple...


Warren suggests to have real fellowship in a
small group you should make a covenant
including the following things:
True feelings, encouraging one another,
support, forgiving, speaking truth in love,
admitting weaknesses, respecting
differences, not gossiping, and making
meeting a priority.
This comes at a price - no wonder it is rare.


Point to Ponder:
Community requires commitment


Verse to Remember:

1 John 3:16


Question to Consider:
How can I help cultivate today the
characteristics of real community in
my small group and in my church?


Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life; Section 19

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