Evaluating 40 Days of Community

[*NOTE: Quotes from the 40 Days of Community Workbook are blockquoted.]

"We're Connected to Grow Together...By Being Examples to Each Other."

"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you" (Phil 3:17, NIV).

We all need models to help us mature.

Many people make the mistake of thinking all they need to grow spiritually is God's Word and prayer. But the truth is, we need people to help us grow. Christlike character is built through relationships, not in isolation. There are many things God wants you to learn about life that you'll never learn on your own. You'll only learn them in community. We always grow faster and stronger with living, breathing examples who can model for us what a purpose driven life looks like. We need more than explanations, we need examples.

Christlike character is built by Christ in us and tested through our relationships with one another to the glory of God and as a witness to the world. I understand that Rick is concerned that some people don't see the need to fellowship with other believers and have even abandoned doing so. Perhaps they feel that watching a sermon on TV or listening by radio is sufficient. It is not, and the scripture clearly says "...not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near" (Heb 10:25, NET). However, Rick's statement that community is necessary for spiritual growth go beyond scripture. Those who model the pattern given by the apostles will be spirit-led, not purpose driven. The latter is confusing to the world because so many worldly people are purpose driven; we ought not to display our own strength and the power of community, but glory in our weaknesses and display the glory of the power of Jesus Christ.

The scripture that Rick quoted was Paul exhorting the Philippians (and all disciples) to follow his example and to take note of [consider, or regard] those who live according to the pattern given by Paul and the apostles. The pattern given to us and suitable examples are written down for us in the scriptures, though we may (and hopefully do) also have living examples among us. When did God ever say, "Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God...and the social communities you will form"? Rather, Paul says in 2 Tim 3:16 (NIV): "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the [person] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

When Paul would travel to a city to start a church, he would begin by simply living among the people. ... Paul lived out the truth of the word in his own flesh as he dwelled among the people.

While this is true, we would do well to note the scripture reference that Rick quoted in Phil 4:9 (NASB): "And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things." Paul spoke so that they would hear, he taught so that they would learn and he gave that they might receive the truth in addition to living according to it. Paul emphasizes speaking and learning above his actions, though the latter is most necessary. When James said "but become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22, NASB), it seems to me that the hearing came first and he is simply saying that it must be accompanied by faith which results in doing since hearing alone cannot save.

As believers, we're often better at "telling" than "showing."

While I am sure there are those who are hypocrites, saying what is right but doing another, I think many are afraid of sharing the gospel with people. Instead of encouraging believers to be boldly proclaiming the truth of the gospel, Rick seems to be saying that we are already doing this and now we need to show it by doing acts of kindness. Is it really true that we are boldly proclaiming the truth of the gospel, tearing down imaginations that keep people from a true knowledge of God? I don't think so. We should be encouraging others to boldly proclaim the message and live in such a way that they do not bring reproach to Christ.

In today's culture, the world desparately needs people who can show us how to love our spouse and make a marriage last; how to relate to our kids; how to do business with integrity; how to handle conflict like Jesus would. These are lessons we learn by watching others.

Really? If our goal is to show the world how to live a moral life, do you think they will then feel it necessary to come to Christ? Rather, what they need is to hear the gospel proclaimed boldly by Christians who are not living like hypocrites, but I don't hear Rick saying this. Rather, he emphasizes preaching by moral living (using actions first and only words if they become necessary, the essence of St. Francis of Assisi's quote), but there are many generally moral people who are not Christians. Why wouldn't someone watching you not be spurred on to becoming a JW or a Buddhist? After all, you haven't told them of their need for Christ, but rather showed them how to live a better life. Let's combine words with action with emphasis on the words without neglecting the action. This is what is right. And I pray that God will give you and I the grace to live according to His perfect will.