We Are Family
Family. That’s what Grace Alive desires to be, a family. We don’t just think of ourselves as like a family, but an actual family. One of the best places we experience family life at Grace Alive is in our community groups. In our groups, we gather (whether virtually or in-person) regularly to live life in community. This is the place where we really “feel” the family realities of the church. I recently asked many people to describe their community groups to me, and I was blown away by the things I heard.
Les describes his group as “Dynamic, passionate, honest, raw, and loving.”
Matthew describes his group as “Authentic and raw. It’s a group where you can be real about what’s on your mind and not fear being shamed for it but also being able to shape that thinking through a biblical perspective.”
Randy describes his group as “Consistent.”
Sarah describes her group as “multi-cultural, multi-generational, and raw.”
Fred describes his group as “Generous! When we were sick, and when others have had babies and life events, the group has been super intentional to take care of one another!”
Crystal describes her group as an “Extended family.”
Zoran describes his group as “Open and valuable.”
LeRoy describes his group as “authentic, genuine, loving, & real.”
Erin describes her group as a “multi-generational, multi-ethnic, group working hard to love, care for, and support each other.”
When I hear these descriptions, I hear our groups are striving to be family with one another. Most of us don’t look like each other, but we love each other. We all have different backgrounds, but we are family together. Most of us don’t come from the same generation, but family is about bringing together every generation. All of us don’t come with the same challenges or circumstances, but we come together to care for each other no matter the challenge. Grace Alive is a family.
As we seek to be this family, we are spurred on by the picture of how the early church lived.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
The early church was committed to the gospel and prayer. They lived in fellowship as a true family. They met one another’s needs as the challenges and realities of life came at them. As a result of these commitments, God grew the number who believed the gospel as they saw what life in the family of God was like.
How is God calling you to contribute to the family? Are you encouraging another from the truths of the gospel? Are you prioritizing time with others in your group by seeking to know others and be known by them? Are you helping shoulder others’ cares and difficulties in your group through support, prayer, and encouragement? Are you praying for and encouraging another as they seek to share the gospel with their one?
No matter our situation, we all have a role in being the family together. What’s that role for you?