Embracing God’s Word in Community
"Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them." Psalms 111:2 NRSV
Series: Embracing Community in an Age of Individualism
Devotional: 4 of 6
Continuing to choose life with God in community requires intentionality. At times, when we feel left out, misunderstood, or have been wounded by other Christians, it can be tempting to disengage from community life, believing the lie that life in isolation is the safer choice. But for those who choose to lean in, actively pushing back against our current culture's message of individualism and self-reliance, embracing life with God in community is both beautiful and messy.
So far in this series, we have explored how the spiritual disciplines of prayer and worship open us up to the presence of God in community. Prayer softens our hearts. Worship focuses our eyes on Jesus. Together, prayer and worship create an environment where we can immerse ourselves in a third discipline: Studying God's Word.
Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God's Word is "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." And Psalm 18:28 says, "It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness."
Why is it so essential to study God’s Word in community?
#1- Blind spots are renovated. We all bring our biases into how we read and interpret the Word of God. Studying the Bible in community helps us see God's story of redemption through the eyes of other people who look different, think differently, and were raised differently than we were.
#2- Wisdom is soaked up. Like a sponge, studying God's Word together with other apprentices of Jesus creates space for new believers to soak up the wisdom of those who have been walking with Jesus for years, even decades.
#3- Critical spirits are avoided. Studying the Word of God in community helps protect against the temptation to become judgmental and critical of other believers. As our knowledge of Scripture grows, it can be easy to become prideful, thinking that we have arrived.
Today, how might God be inviting you to embrace studying God's Word in community? And how might God want to open your eyes to see the Gospel in a fresh way through the lens of someone else's life experience?
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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