Evaluating 40 Days of Community

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

"We're compelled to love God's family...because we're a family."

We belong, and we help others believe that they belong.

Rather, we help convince others of their need for Christ, but once they believe, then they automatically belong. Encouragement, yes, but no convincing by man is required. To try to convince someone of their salvation when you don't know their heart is dangerous at best. By telling them what God requires because of what He will do through you when you are saved, you help them to know if their heart is right with God.

Our small groups are meant to be Holy Spirit-led laboratories for learning to love one another deeply and earnestly (1 Thess 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22).

1 Thess 4:9 says, "You yourselves are taught by God." I agree with Rick that we are to be Holy Spirit-led, but he seems to be contradicting himself since he also says that we need to be purpose driven.

Character tends to be more caught than taught...

If Rick meant that it is a gift from God, then he is right. But from the context, he means caught from others. What if others are wrong? 1 Thess 4:9 says it is taught not caught -- and from God, not others.

Point to Ponder: Love must be learned.

No, love is 1) a person, the person of Jesus Christ. And 2), when He indwells you by believing through faith, love is the gift from God.

Question to Consider: How devoted are you to your church family?

Good question and it is some of the evidence demonstrating saving faith, but the more important question is instead how devoted are you to God, believing Him at His Word, searching for truth and standing against error?

Other than the above more major points, Rick had some good insights in this chapter.