"Living in Community: The Framework of Missional Togetherness"

We have discussed the foundation of community, but now, let's dive into its framework. What does it look like to live in community together?

Consider Acts 2:42-47, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

There is a devotion, a desire, a commitment to a set of things. What are those things?

• teaching

• fellowship

• eating together

• prayer

This passage represents the basis for our missional communities at True Hope. We want to engage what the first church modeled for us in this passage. A missional community is first a place of care, connection, and engagement. It is a prioritized time to see each other, be with each other, share with each other, rejoice with each other, and cry with each other.

To live these values, they devoted themselves to or prioritized being present with each other consistently and often. The word devoted means to persist obstinately, to attach oneself to, to be actively engaged.

The example is to attach ourselves to other believers, persist in staying connected obstinately, and be actively engaged. I don't want us to miss the depth of commitment here. It wasn't an "if I can" commitment but an "at all costs" commitment. Do I live devoted to other followers of Jesus? Do I prioritize connection with them? Do I share my life with them, eat, serve, and sacrifice for them? This is what we are called to do for each other!

What is a missional community? It is a place where we experience togetherness and live the mission of God together. Jesus tells us to make disciples. So, in missional communities, we prioritize discipleship and obedience by sharing the true hope of Jesus, engaging the teachings of Jesus, and baptizing people into the family of God. But don't miss this; we do it together, not isolated or alone as mercenaries for Jesus, but together. Our unity provides the potency and power for the gospel to be compelling and desirable. We live in community to represent the love of Jesus to each other and the world at large.

Community is made, not found, and it is made through an intentional devotion to the body of Christ, encouraging, equipping, and supporting each other to live as a family of servant missionaries sent as disciples who make disciples. To live out these values, devotion is required. Will I live devoted to the body of Christ?