Community

COVID-19 has pushed us to rethink our definition of community.

Up until now, many of us have tended to think of community in very physical ways: a neighborhood where we live, a church where we worship, a place where we volunteer. But the last few months have shown us that community is less about where we are and more about who we’re with: our family, our friends, our classmates. And this kind of community shapes who we are. Communities of people help us grow, help us deal with problems, help us celebrate great things, and help us confront conflict together.

The Bible is filled with stories of community. From the Old Testament people of God to the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ, the Bible gives us all kinds of lessons on community. Jesus was part of a tight-knit community with his disciples and close followers. And he taught about the good and bad of community.

Throughout the month of May, we will look at some of the Bible’s teachings on community. We will also explore community through the eyes of the author’s own faith community. We’ll hear stories of their experiences of community, and their reflections will help us consider what the Bible teaches about community. Although this series wasn’t written specifically for community during a pandemic, we trust that God will teach us lessons that apply to all of us right now.

Together, let’s discover more about God's plan for community!

This month’s writer, Bret Lamsma, is director of faith formation at a church in Denver, Colorado, and has served churches in Michigan and California in youth, intergenerational, and educational ministries. Bret and his wife, Julie, have two children, and he enjoys hiking and camping with his family.

As you read the Today devotionals this month, may you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!