We are beginning a new series on “Becoming Like Family” as our online community members begin to share the daily challenges with friends, and we begin to gather our larger community together.  We want to have five main characteristics, and the one we’re focusing on this week is to be spending time in community groups.

Yesterday, we saw that four-in-ten American young adults with a Christian background (43%) believe going to church and having Christian friends is optional.

You might think that this is a new phenomenon, but today we’ll read about a similar story from the Bible, written in a letter to some of the first Christians, within 50 years of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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. (Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV)

First, please notice how clear this is that being a church here is about a gathering of people.  The Greek word for church is ekklesia which literally means “an assembly” or “gathering of people” called out to be and do something specific.  The author of the Letter to the Hebrews was not specifically speaking about a building.  Even if they worshipped at the temple occasionally, it was primarily a place of Jewish ritual sacrifices, not a place that was immediately associated with Christian worship just because of its architecture or presence.

He was referring to a people group, a movement, who actually did spend time together – sometimes in temple, sometimes in homes, sometimes in rented rooms, and probably some places in between.

But the other thing that’s clear here is that they aren’t meeting together as much as they should, and it’s essential that they do.

The author doesn’t say why.  Did they get lazy?  Are they afraid of being identified by persecutors?  Have they actually stopped believing?

No one can be sure.  But the author is clear that being a regular part of a Christian community is critical regardless.  He says it’s this important, it represents holding fast to what we claim/confess to believe.  That involves connectedness with others who claim and confess the same things.

Gathering with other Christians is also a visible reminder of who we are – God’s beloved but distant children, trying to follow Jesus to know him again.

Someone I know recently went out West on business, and was planning to go to an Oilers vs. Leafs game, wearing a Leafs jersey!  She went there knowing she’d be alone, and would endure persecution, where no one else would be dressed like her.  But then at the game, she looked out, and saw a few other Leafs jerseys, and a few more, and a few more.  She was reminded she wasn’t alone.

This is what church is about.  Although we may feel alone at times as Christians, when we are part of a church we remind ourselves that we are not alone, as we catch a glimpse of others wearing our colours.  We are not the only ones trying to live as followers of Jesus in a hostile world.  In fact, there are millions of us, all over the world, and all around our offices and neighbourhoods.  But we need to come out and recognize each other.  As we gather together, we remember that we are part of a community. We see this, we feel it and we are encouraged.  And we are challenged, to be there for each other throughout the week as well.

Question: Why do you think it’s important for followers of Jesus to meet together?  What should come of their meetings?

Reminder: Last week we saw the importance of reading the Bible together in sync, so our new daily bible readings start today in our mobile app and web site.

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - October 30, 2013

Wednesday - Change It - Growth - in Discipleship

We are working toward becoming one church community united by common learning goals, even as we are scattered commuting people. This week we’re studying a passage from Ephesians that includes this line: “until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” We want to highlight the process involved. The aim is to become more and more like Jesus, not just in outward appearance, but completely, the “full stature”. This is clearly not instant, but a maturing process, since no one on this earth has ever been completely like Jesus. I have shared a few stories from when I studied engineering, and the importance of learning problem solving and analysis. That principle can be applied to any scenario, even the unprecedented and complex ones. Discipleship is about theological problem solving in similarly complex and unexpected situations. Paul was involved in discipleship to help his church members avoid being thrown around by every idea, doctrine like a small boat in wind and waves. Contrast a road and ocean. Some want faith to be a roadway, with clear boundaries, signs, maps and directions to follow. But the problem is that real life is much more like an ocean, where you can’t give a plan for every scenario , but follow a compass heading with a specific end in mind, but the actual journey will be less strictly defined. This is the pursuit of discipleship, to set a compass heading of what the bible calls “Christlikeness” – becoming like Jesus Christ. We will get there by navigating all sorts of wind and wave action, and keeping focused on the end goal. This is a series on church community, becoming like family. Discipleship is a family effort, done in a group. I remember engineering projects that would have been impossible for me to do it alone – I knew one aspect of the project, while others knew theirs, and together we accomplished something greater than any one of us could do on our own. In the same way, we aren’t meant to grow as a disciple alone. We need challenge, encouragement, and complementary gifts like the five we saw yesterday. Question: Are you more comfortable in a spiritual ocean or roadway? What part of life feels like an ocean today? Coffee Hours this Week: Have questions about the challenges, do you want to meet others exploring the same content, or connect with Ryan? Join us for our coffee shop drop-in tonight, Wednesay, October 30th from 7:30pm-9:00pm at the Starbucks in the Ajax Chapters. Look for Ryan Sim in the drink line, or a Redeem the Commute postcard on a table. If you know in advance that you’re coming, please RSVP here http://bit.ly/1aHVTy2

From Series: "Becoming Like Family"

This series looks at becoming “like family” with others learning to follow Jesus. We're exploring how the church is not a building, institution or event, but a community of people. It's important that explore what church means as we prepare to launch a new church in Ajax in 2014.

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