Eight Marks of a Christian Community

If you asked me what are the evidences of a true Christian Community. I might point to some things like these:

Members who are committed to a life of obedience to God through faith in His Son
Seeking to better understand God’s nature and enact his character as a group
Having the confidence to ask for prayer from one another
Sharing personal needs and struggles with each other and seeking as a group to meet those needs and alleviate those struggles
Exhorting one another to live the lifestyle of a Christ follower rather than the lifestyle of the world
Fulfilling the Great Commission by bearing witness to the Kingdom, confessing the Gospel, and making new disciples
Finding ways to “love our neighbors” by meeting the needs of those in West Michigan and around the world

Should each of these "marks" be true of small groups? Why or why not? What would you add? What would you subtract?

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10 Summer Activities To Keep Your Small Group Connected

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Small group gatherings are not business meetings. They need not have rigid agendas or strict time constraints. Although effective groups often follow set curriculum, there are times when they can take a break from their plans and have conversations about their group’s health. These five questions can be used together or one at a time. They are designed to help groups’ determine their identity, diagnoses their health and develop a plan for the future. How can we meet one another’s needs? Acts is full of stories about Christians finding creative means by which they can meet each other’s needs. Some even sold their properties and possessions. The small group is the ideal lab in which we can work out what it truly means to love one another as Jesus loved us. If the greatest love of all is laying down our lives for each other (and it is), then meeting the needs of others in our group should be one of our first and highest priorities. How can we encourage one another? 1...

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