Faith Together

 

    You are not supposed to walk through life alone.  God designed people to need each other.  Christians need a church family.  You need a Christian community.  You need people to inspire, push, and challenge you to grow.  Your church needs to teach all of the Bible not just the happy or inspirational parts.  You should be able to find your ministry and evangelism voice at church or create one in your community.

    Sunday School or Life Groups are special because that is where the relationships are developed.  You should be studying God's Word, praying together, and having fellowship.  It is where nonbelievers can see what Christianity is all about and feel safe to ask questions.  You need to feel like you belong.  If you do not, then keep looking until you find your small group.  Investigation does not stop once you find salvation.  Salvation is the starting point.

    You live in the world more than you do in your quiet place, church, or ministry.  It is important to Christians to connect with to stay grounded.  You need your Christian family as much as you need your actual blood family.  You need people praying for you, checking in on you, and even visiting you.  Faith is your foundation, but you need the people God places in your life to be able to develop it.  

    Developing your faith with other believers helps you grow in grace and strengthen your gifts, abilities, and strategy to minister to other people.  Having a mentor and being a mentor will help you ne equipped while you help others be equipped too.

    You can find some of your worst hurts in life at church.  You have to remember a lot of people go to church because it is their hospital.  Hurt people hurt others.  Pharisaical people always think their right.  You need to find forgiveness in your heart and do not allow them to hinder your relationship with Jesus.  You need church like it or not.  After finding forgiveness, you have to make yourself available.  Nothing is impossible for God, so do not put him in a box.  Work on turning from your own sins and allow God to work on everyone else.  After all Heaven is the goal that you want for everyone.

    When you are evangelizing be sure to inquire of people's lives, perspectives, and culture.  It will affect how you can relate to them.  Invite them to your church.  If they are not at a place where they would visit a church yet, then invite them into your life in some way: outdoor activity, coffee, book club, anything.  This will allow them to see God working in your personal life, not just your public Christian appearance.  Insure the people that you lead to Christ that they are loved and safe.  Help them build their faith from scratch.  

Matthew 18:19-20, Acts 2:42-47, Romans 1:10-12, 2 Timothy 2:1-2, & Hebrews 10:23-25