The First Week in April
We Read…
Humans were created to be in community with each other and with God. Even God exists as a community (with the three persons of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)! What does the bible tell us about living in community? What does it provide as an example of a good community in which to be involved? And where is God amid our communities?
In Psalm 133, the psalmist praises families who live in unity. He tells us that this is a good thing that the Lord approves of and instructs us to do. Some of us may not think of our families when we read this; maybe you have experienced the other side things. If you have a family that feels like a strong community, reflect on why that is and how you might continue this in the future. If you have a family that struggles to get along or live well together, reflect on how God is still working in the midst of it all.
Later, we see other examples of community in Jesus’s disciples and life after Jesus left the earth. The early church committed to being unified, sharing what they owned, and proclaiming the good news of what Jesus had done in their lives. What would life look like if we chose to live in these same ways? How does this community reflect God and glorify God in the world?
Psalm 133
1 Look at how good and pleasing it is
when families live together as one!
2 It is like expensive oil
poured over the head,
running down onto the beard—
Aaron’s beard!—
which extended over the collar
of his robes.
3 It is like the dew on Mount Hermon
streaming down
onto the mountains of Zion
because it is there that the LORD
has commanded the blessing:
everlasting life.
Acts 4:32-35
The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common. 33 The apostles continued to bear powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and an abundance of grace was at work among them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. Those who owned properties or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds from the sales, 35 and place them in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Then it was distributed to anyone who was in need.
1 John 1:1-2:2
We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. 2 The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 3 What we have seen and heard, we also announce it to you so that you can have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy can be complete.
5 This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” 6 If we claim, “We have fellowship with him,” and live in the darkness, we are lying and do not act truthfully. 7 But if we live in the light in the same way as he is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. 8 If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. 10 If we claim, “We have never sinned,” we make him a liar and his word is not in us.
2 My little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you don’t sin. But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He is God’s way of dealing with our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world.
John 20:19-31
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
24 Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
26 After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
28 Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
30 Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. 31 But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
We Think…
What stands out to you in these verses?
Does anything confuse you or not make sense?
How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or the church?
What are you considering?
What questions come to mind?
Why do you think God chose for us to be in community?
We Feel…
What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?
Where have you seen God today or this week?
What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, a friend or adult that cares for you)?
What has God made new in your life? In your heart?
When have you felt like you were truly a part of a group?
How have you helped someone else feel like they belong?
We Believe…
Jesus didn’t give us the church as an afterthought or as something that could maybe be helpful one day. Jesus gave us the church because we were made to be in community with one another and with God! We believe in a communal God who created us in God’s image, so wouldn’t it make sense that we are supposed to be communal as well? Shouldn’t the church be an important part of our faith walk if this is true? Many say that they want Jesus without the church, and their feelings aren’t invalid. A lot of individual churches and Christians have caused deep pain in the name of Jesus, and this is wrong. But we still need the church, the body of Christ, and God doesn’t want us to live this life alone.
How can we help the church look like what Jesus intended? What is our role in the community of Christ?
We Practice…
How can you make an extra effort to be a part of a community this week? Maybe this looks like attending your local church on Sunday or when they have their youth group; maybe this looks like finding a group you can be a part of at school. Make a conscious effort to engage in community this week, and then reflect on how it impacted you.