Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus and his disciples were a Community Group? It’s true! Let’s look at the growth and chronology of the small order that would someday become the church.

Jesus entered the ministry phase of his life and formed a small core group with Peter, Andrew, James and John. As the group grows, they become closer and more intimate. Soon there are some ladies who join the band as well, Mary, Susanna and Joanna and others. Jesus would bring the group together for a time of teaching and study prior to sending them out to teach others. They would come together for service projects like feeding the hungry or giving medical aid to the sick. They would break bread together and pray with one another, holding each other accountable when they stepped off the mark. Jesus would proclaim them as friends and even though the friends might disagree from time to time, they would come back together under a common bond of faith. Their group consisted of a diverse montage of personalities that would help make up the dynamic of the group as a whole. They had a banker, a skeptic, one with a temper and another with compassion. They had a risk taker a scoundrel and a couple of providers and others. When their leader stepped down (or I should say up) another took his place. And as they grew, more and more groups would form, and meet, and teach, and serve, and spread. Until we have what’s called the CHURCH. All joined under a common vision, with a common faith in one spirit as one body for the purpose of glorifying one God. Kind of cool, huh?

If you would like to be a part of a Community Group here and Lighthouse, just give me a buzz and we’ll get you plugged in.

-Pastor Craig