As believers we are called to live in biblical community with fellow Christians. Have you ever wondered what biblical community really is? Biblical community is a group of Christ-centered believers not only sharing worship, prayer, and spiritual experiences, but sharing life with mutual respect and support, and a shared purpose to reflect God’s love.

Building biblical community requires fostering faith-based relationships that embrace compassion, mutual support, and unity among members with a mindset, draw everyone closer to God. With faith as the foundation of our community, build upon it with consistent heartfelt prayer for one another, compassionate empathy, and corporate assisted support.

Keys to Biblical community also include;

• Genuine relationships – vulnerability on everyone’s part to share and to listen to the cares, concerns, and situations of others. All masks are stripped away. We want to be around each other. We feed off each other for strength, support, and resourcefulness.
• Practicing mutual accountability – Friendly accountability does not tear down and destroy but builds one another up and encourages everyone. “What can I do to help you through that situation?”
• Humility in action through service – Everyone ready to serve one another as each is gifted and available. “Health permitting, I will be there, no matter what the need or time.”
• Personal respect for all others – treating others with respect and dignity, showing kindness and attentiveness, builds trust and reciprocating values. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, by your love to one another.” John 13:35
• Transparent in authenticity – practicing authenticity creates an environment of trust and transparency. When people trust your actions toward them, they will reciprocate the transparent authenticity. Without transparent authenticity coming from you, you cannot expect it in return.
• Teaching Biblical stewardship – stewardship is more than finances. Biblical community cannot exist without biblical stewardship. “I avail my time, talents, and resources to the individuals in my biblical community as they have needs presented through our community.”
• Spiritual maturation – living out what is studied in the Bible, members of the group support, encourage, and resource one another in spiritual growth through sharing personal experience and through shared experiences.

Building a culture of biblical community could be one of the greatest elements of discipleship your church could ever encounter. Today, perhaps the best way to build biblical community is through small Bible study groups (Sunday School or other long-term groups).

How will you begin praying today for greater commitment to biblical community. Biblical community will not happen without continual prayer for one another and the community of Christ.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.