Next Steps

The Bible places great emphasis on the value of community in a believer's life. In Acts 2:42-47, the early Christians are described as devoting themselves to fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, showing the importance of a shared spiritual journey. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers not to neglect meeting together, but to encourage one another.

This communal aspect of faith is not only about support and understanding; it's about growing together, bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), and reflecting the unity and love that Jesus prayed for in John 17:21-23.

Ephesians 4:12-13 describes the church's role in equipping believers for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of Jesus. This spiritual growth is also echoed in 2 Peter 3:18, which encourages believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The process of maturing in faith is not a solitary endeavor but happens within the accountability and nurturing environment of the church, as depicted in Colossians 2:6-7, where believers are encouraged to be rooted and built up in Christ, established in the faith.

Serving others is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus states His own mission as not to be served, but to serve, setting an example for all believers. This call to service is further reinforced in Galatians 5:13, where Paul encourages believers to serve one another humbly in love.

The church provides a platform for living out this call – be it through local community service, global missions, or daily acts of kindness and love within the church community. In 1 Peter 4:10, it's noted that each believer should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.