Passage: Acts 2:42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

How Does Sharpening Happen?

• Sharpening Happens Through Vulnerability

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Sharpening Happens Through Correction

Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Spiritual blindness is not like physical blindness. When you are physically blind, you know you are blind, and you compensate for it. But spiritually blind people are not only blind—they’re blind to their blindness. - Paul David Tripp

• Sharpening Happens Through Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

True community isn’t easy. It’s inconvenient. It’s awkward. It requires sacrifice. But the alternative is worse: isolation, loneliness, and drifting from the truth. - Brett McCracken

Why Is It Important?

• Without Community, You Drift From The Truth

Hebrews 3:12-13 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

• Without Community, You Become Spiritually Stagnant

Ecclesiastes 4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

• Without Community, You become Vulnerable To Attack

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

What Should We Do About It?

• Step Into Vulnerability

• Seek Out Honest Friends

• Commit to Community

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

What Does Community Carry Us Through?

• Community Carries Us Through Trials

John 16:33 In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

The Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Community Carries Us Through Temptation

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

• Community Carries Us When Our Faith Feels Week

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Why Is It Important?

• Without Community, Burdens Will Crush You

• Without Community, Sin Will Own Us

• Without Community, We Will Walk Away

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

What Should We Do About It?

• Be Honest About Your Struggles

• Pray For One Another

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

• Step In When You See Someone Struggling

Acts 13:2-3 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Where Does Community Send Us?

• Community Send Us On Mission

Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• Community Send Us To Serve

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Galatians 5:13 but through love serve one another.

• Community Sends Us To Share The Gospel

Romans 10:14 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.- David Platt

Why Is It Important?

• Without Community, We Become Stagnant

You don't have to cross an ocean to be a missionary. You just have to cross the street.

• Without Community, We Miss Our Purpose

• Without Community, We Lose Our Impact

What Should We Do About It?

• Find Ways To Serve

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve

• Support Missions

• Invite Others To Follow Jesus

Community Groups are designed for connection and growth. Life transformation happens best in smaller communities where you’re doing life with other believers. These groups meet regularly to dive into God’s Word, pray together, and build real relationships. This is here you build friendships, share struggles, and encourage each other. Community Groups are where you find your people—where you are known and loved.

Restore Groups go deeper. These are small, gender-specific groups of 3–5 believers who meet weekly for about a year. The goal is deep discipleship through Bible reading, accountability, and prayer. Restore Groups aren’t surface-level—they’re designed for transparency and spiritual growth. This is where you confess sin, confront struggles, and experience healing.

• God, give me the courage to step into real community
• God, show me who I need to carry this week.
• God, send me out to make an impact.