SIMPLE COMMUNITY

Part 3 of Series | Mayberry: Simple is More Satisfying

September 4 & 5, 2010 Tierce Green

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the
church that day – about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted
themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in
meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed
many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together
in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property
and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the
Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all
the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
“Each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:41-47 (NLT)

1. REAL COMMUNITY HAPPENS BEST IN

SMALL GROUPS.
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they
never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus
is the Christ.” Acts 5:42 (NIV)

HOW DO I FIND A SMALL GROUP?

1. Start one! Decide to host a group today.
2. Join The City and use the group search feature.
3. Come to a GroupConnect next weekend.

 PEOPLE ARE MORE TRANSPARENT.

 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking
of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your
own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

 NEEDS ARE MORE EFFECTIVELY MET.

“Now the body is not made up of one part but of many … If one
part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every
part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:14; 26 (NIV)

 GOD’S WORD BECOMES MORE PERSONAL.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is

true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects
us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

LIFE WITHOUT REAL COMMUNITY

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to
death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

2. REAL COMMUNITY PRODUCES GROWTH

IN THREE VITAL RELATIONSHIPS:

 INTIMACY WITH GOD.

 COMMUNITY WITH BELIEVERS.

 INFLUENCE WITH OTHERS.

3. REAL COMMUNITY IS EXPERIENCED
WHEN THE UPS & DOWNS OF LIFE ARE
SHARED.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to
associate with people of low position.” Romans 12:15-16 (NIV)