Do We Really Need Community

The idea and importance of living and thriving in a community has been almost completely thrown out in 21st century America. If you take a look at all of the philosophies, ideologies, values and morals that have shaped the country and that continue to shape the country, you will see that they are very individualistic at heart. Even "popular" phrases such as "do you", "don't worry about anyone but yourself" and "do what you have to do to get to the top" are not only unbiblical but they are not the norm when compared to nations around the world. Take Africa for instance, life revolves around community. In Africa, you are only as strong as your community. You are only as strong as your fellow brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. Your community shapes your identity for the most part. If the community is failing, you as well are failing and if the community is doing great, then you are doing great. That is how God created the world and that is why even other nations that do not proclaim Christianity operate in this way. They value community and family. God did not create ANYONE to walk this world alone and that's also why Eve was created. Not only as a romantic partner for Adam, but as someone for Adam to interact and form a community with.

Society often tells us a completely different message about community living and walking closely with other people. In my generation, I hear and see so often how it's encouraged to "cut people off" as soon as we are hurt by them and that's often why I struggled with maintaining friendships. I had friends that were in my life for many years but because I was used to cutting people out of my life so quickly, many of those friendships are no longer around today. 

So the question was, do we really, need community? Especially as Christians, do we really need to spend a significant amount of time around other people letting them into our lives and ultimately our hearts? The answer is yes for many reasons.

1) It's biblical! Acts Chapter 2 verses 42-47 specifically speaks on the fellowship of the believers. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believes were together and had all thing in common. and they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.   These verses specifically speak on how important community and fellowship is. The believers in the community were all people who had something in common which was God. They sold their possessions and belongings and gave to those in need. They ate together graciously with full hearts and God saved more people because of their commitment to living in a community and sharing and loving one another. More lives were able to be saved because of the faithfulness of a community. Think about that for a second, because a few people chose to live in community, eat with one another and give to one another, more and more lives were saved. Now this still had no direct effect on the group but they were able to save other people's lives that may have ended up in hell.

2) It's impossible to live in the world alone. When a person isolates themselves from friends and family, they allow access for the devil to come in and plant seeds of depression in their minds. This is a very destructive practice. Community is vital for the emotional and spiritual health of a person. Just imagine you're having a bad day but you commit to surround yourself with community by living with people and when you walk in the door you're immediately greeted with a happy "hello!" and people constantly talking about God and how great He is. There is no way you can stay mad for long lol!

3) Community helps with accountability and accountability is very important to the Christian walk. We need to be held responsible for our actions by the people in our community. They help us to stay faithful to the Lord and to ourselves. 

4) Community teaches us how to serve. In Acts chapter 2, the believers in the community sold their belongings to help people in need. They committed selfless acts to better the people around them. They put aside their individualism and were favored by God because of it. Serving is probably the number one benefit I've gotten from being in a community. I recently moved into a house with 2 other girls and it's taught me SO much about how to serve other people which is essentially one of the main things we are called to do as Christians. It's taught me how to really love and care for other people. 

My reasons for my belief that people should live in community are simple and I truly believe that the sooner you can immerse yourself in your local church and young adult ministry the better. You will truly grow closer to new people and in turn grow closer to Christ!